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What is a hiccup? -

Hiccups occur when your diaphragm spasms involuntarily. Your diaphragm is the large muscle beneath your lungs that helps you breathe in and out. When it spasms, you inhale suddenly and your vocal cords snap shut, creating that hiccup sound.

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What causes hiccups? -

You might be bringing on your hiccups by eating too much, eating too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages or alcohol, eating spicy foods, being stressed or emotionally excited, or being exposed to a quick change in temperature.

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The key behind the remedies -

Though there aren’t many scientific studies on the effectiveness of hiccup remedies, the linking factor between the most effective ones seems to be that which stimulates the vagus or phrenic nerves, which are connected to your diaphragm, Healthline reports.

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Pull on your tongue -

It might sound like a prank when someone tells you to grab the tip of your tongue and gently pull it forward a couple times, but it actually has some scientific backing. The gentle pull stimulates the nerves and muscles in your throat, functioning like a pressure point that may just be the hiccup cure you didn't know you needed.

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Drink water through a cloth or paper towel -

This old wives tale remedy involves covering a glass of cold water with a cloth or paper towel and sipping through it. You'll have to try it to see if it works!

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Practice measured breathing -

You can disrupt your respiratory system by taking consciously slow, measured breaths. Try breathing in for a count of five and out for a count of five. This is good even to prevent hiccups, since measured breathing combats stress and strong emotions, AKA hiccup triggers.

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Eat a spoonful of honey or peanut butter -

Let a nice thick spoonful dissolve in your mouth a little before swallowing. Perhaps the effort of it moving down your esophagus will distract your diaphragm? At least it will be tasty!

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Drink from the opposite side of the glass -

This one is a little weird to imagine, but slowly drink a glass of water from the opposite side that you normally would. That means tipping the glass under your chin and leaning your head forward. You'll look ridiculous, but it might work!

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Hold your breath -

This is a very common hiccup cure we learn from a young age. Inhale a large gulp of air and hold it for about 10-20 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Repeat as necessary.

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Get scared -

It really does work! When you genuinely gasp, you interrupt the respiratory cycle, and that jolt to the nervous system can reset the nerve impulse causing your diaphragm to spasm. But, ironically, a well-timed “Boo!” can also be the trigger to hiccups.

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Squeeze your palm -

Press your thumb into the palm of your hand, where you'll be hitting a pressure point. Pressure points are areas of your body that are particularly sensitive to pressure, and this may help to relax your diaphragm or stimulate your vagus or phrenic nerves.

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Suck on a lemon -

This one always feels like a prank when someone suggests it, but apparently it works! Some people add a bit of salt on the lemon slice first. Just make sure you rinse your mouth after to protect your teeth from the citric acid.

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Tap or rub the back of your neck -

When you think of hiccups, you wouldn't think of the back of your neck. But apparently rubbing or tapping the skin there can stimulate your phrenic nerve.

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Put a drop of vinegar on your tongue -

As unpleasant as it may be, many people believe a drop of straight vinegar can do the trick.

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Hug your knees -

This one's a little dramatic to do in public, but take a seat, bring your knees to your chest, and hold them there for two minutes.

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Suck on an ice cube -

Some say sucking on an ice cube for a few minutes helps stop hiccups, while others say it just gives them brain freeze!

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Eat some sugar -

Kids will be extremely pleased to hear that putting a pinch of granulated sugar on their tongue is actually good in this one instance. The key is to let it sit there for five to 10 seconds, then swallow.

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Gargle ice water -

Gargle ice water for 30 seconds to really get that vagus nerve stimulated. At the very least you can't hiccup while you're gargling!

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Compress your chest -

Lean or bend forward to compress your chest, which puts pressure on your diaphragm.

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Poke the back of your throat with a cotton swab -

Gently swab the back of your throat until you experience your gag reflex. It's uncomfortable, but it may stimulate the vagus nerve. We can't imagine this is anyone's first choice of remedy...

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Use the Valsalva maneuver -

This maneuver involves pinching your nose and keeping your mouth closed while trying to exhale, often used to make your ears "pop." But this method shouldn't be attempted if you have heart disease or retinopathy!

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Massage your carotid artery -

Your carotid arteries on both sides of your neck are what you feel when you check your pulse. Lie down, turn your head to the left, and massage the artery on the right side in a circular motion for five to 10 seconds.

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Drink ice water -

For some people, sipping cold water is the key to stopping hiccups. Apparently it helps stimulate the vagus nerve!

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Distract yourself with something engaging -

Hiccups often go away fastest when you just stop paying attention to them. Pull out a game or a puzzle, or put on a great song, and try to get your mind properly distracted.

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What to avoid -

Don’t chew gum or drink fizzy beverages because that extra air won't do you any favors! You'll also want to avoid alcoholic or hot drinks, as well as spicy food.

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If they don’t go away? -

If you regularly get hiccups or have hiccups that last for more than two days, you should talk with your doctor. Persistent hiccups could be a sign of an underlying condition such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), a stroke, or even multiple sclerosis.

Sources: (Healthline) (NHS)

See also: The best home remedies for common ailments

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