So, what is hiccup actually?
They are unintentional contraction of your diaphragm which makes your vocal cords close very briefly. Thus, produces the sound of a hiccup or singultus in the medical term. It means the act of catching your breath while sobbing.
They could be embarrassing at times or even a great joke to your friends. Hiccups are hardly any cause for concern but sometimes they might be a sign of some underlying medical condition, if persistent, just like in the case of grey’s stepmother. I am talking about grey’s anatomy the series if you don’t get me.
Most of the common hiccups shouldn’t last more than 48 hours. I seriously doubt anyone would wait that long to see a doctor though.
So, I have looked into some of the ‘cures’ on the internet out of curiosity.
The Drinking Method
Drink either orange juice or peach juice. Hold as much as you can in your mouth before swallowing and DO NOT hiccup. Swallow as much as you can in 1 gulp.
The Temple Method
Hold your breath but make sure it is a big breath. Have someone else hold your temples until you feel as though you cannot hold your breath anymore (If you do it to yourself then it does not work as well.)
Burp.
This one is simple. Just keep try to burp. You might need some fluid to help you.
Straw Method
Get a glass of water and two straws, put one straw inside the glass as usual and the other straw pressed up against the side of the glass on the outside. Put both straws in your mouth at once, drink the water like you would normally, taking as big of gulps as possible. Drink a couple of gulps and then your hiccups should be gone!
Weird method I would say.
Sugar Method
Take a spoon and fill it with sugar, hold in your mouth for five seconds. Swallow. Take a sip of water.
Coughing Method
Count the amount of time between hiccups and when it is around the time a hiccup should be coming up, or when you feel it coming up, cough loudly and/or scream. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
Play "Hear no Evil"
Some doctors recommend that you put your fingers in your ears to stop hiccups. The branches of the vagus nerve also reach into the auditory system, and by stimulating the nerve endings there, the vagus nerve goes into action. But be gentle, and don't stick your fingers too far into your ears.
Interesting!
Bag Those Hiccups
The old standby, breathing into a paper bag, is believed to work on the same principle as the breath-holding method. Both increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, and the body becomes preoccupied with getting rid of it and forgets about the hiccups.
This one has a scientific explanation as well.
30-Second Hiccup Cure here even has testimonials.
Of course I couldn’t cover every method available on the net but most of them are almost the same and I certainly not responsible for anything that happens if you try the methods here.
Remember to relax! Hiccups can be partly psychological. Keep a positive attitude and breathe deeply.
Some of the materials are copyright material of Dr. Lisa Nissen from University of Queenland. A senior lecturer at the School of Pharmacy.
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