One hiccup is normal, two becomes funny, and if there’s anything more than that, it is annoying and uncomfortable. Hiccups are normal reflexes your body can’t control. They are strange little sounds that leave your mouth without warning. While too many hiccups can be irritating, it's important to know why they are happening and what are the home remedies you can try to stop them.
Causes Of Hiccups
The National Organization for Rare Disorders describes hiccups as a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the muscle beneath the lungs, followed by the swift closure of the vocal cords. While the exact cause of brief hiccup episodes remains unknown, various underlying conditions can lead to chronic or persistent hiccups. Research has identified certain reasons that increase the likelihood of experiencing hiccups. These include:
- Eating too much or too quickly
- Feeling nervous or excited
- Drinking carbonated beverages or excessive alcohol
- Stress
- A sudden change in temperature
- Swallowing air while sucking on candy or chewing gum
Types Of Hiccups
Hiccups are characterised by how long they last:
Transient hiccups
These are the common type of hiccups that most people experience, and they usually last for just a few seconds or minutes.
Recurrent hiccups
These are hiccups that keep coming back and last for more than a few minutes.
Hiccups in newborns
Newborn babies often get hiccups after feeding. If they eat too much or too quickly, their stomach can swell and irritate the diaphragm, leading to hiccups. Sometimes, hiccups can also be caused by stomach acid flowing back up into the throat (gastric reflux) or swallowing too much air while feeding.
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Remedies For Hiccups
Here are some remedial options one can try to get rid of hiccups:
If your hiccups last more than a few minutes, some experts suggest trying to hold your breath or breathing into a paper bag. These methods can help increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs, which might calm down your diaphragm and stop the hiccups.
- Other remedies that sometimes work include:
- Drinking cold water
- Gargling with ice water
- Keeping your knees to your chest and leaning forward
- Swallowing granulated sugar
- Biting into a lemon
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