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What are Hiccups?
Also known under medical term as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SPF) or in short as singultus, it means the diaphragm (the muscle which separates the abdomen with the chest) contracts uncontrollably and it might happen again for couples of time every minute[1][2].
When the diaphragm contracts, it makes you inhale air quickly with a sudden brief closure of vocal cords. Therefore, this is why there is a distinct sound for hiccup.
Hiccup can occur in individual as well as in bouts. Normally, a bout will only last for couples of minute and hiccup bout that last for more than an hour is rather rare.
Most obvious sign of hiccup is certainly the sound. However, there can be some mild tightening feeling in the throat, abdomen or chest.
What cause Hiccups?
Most of the time, you can get hiccups from consuming carbonated or alcoholic beverages, eating too fast or overeating, spicy foods, smoking as well as stress or excitement. Also immediate change of temperature in room or swallow air during chewing can make you incur hiccups.
For the long-term hiccups, it can be caused by irritation or nerve damage, respiratory conditions, disorders of central nervous system caused by infection or tumor, metabolic disorders or gastrointestinal conditions or some particular medications[3].
Other factors of long-term hiccups can be anesthesia, diabetes and imbalance of electrolyte, barbiturates, alcoholism, failure kidney, tranquilizers or steroids.
Here are the top 15 most effective home remedies for hiccups which you can apply easily by yourself in order to get rid of hiccups as well as boost up your confidence at in front of others.
1. Cold Water
The simplest yet most effective one from the list of home remedies for hiccups is cold water. It can help you shock your system by causing distraction that can stop your hiccups.
How to use:
- Quickly consume some cold water together with honey in order to eliminate your hiccups.
- Also you can use cold water to gargle which can help rest your hiccups.
- Another way is sucking on some ice cubes for couples of second.
Having cold water just does not simply cure your hiccups but it can even treat some complex conditions such as gout. You can read more about this condition and how to treat at: Home Remedies for Gout.
2. Drink Upside Down
Also similar to having some water; however, this tips from home remedies for hiccups can be even more effective at getting rid of hiccups quickly.
How to use:
- Take some cold water.
- Bend down to your waist’s height with the head down.
- Consume the water oppositely from how you normally do by drinking from the other end of the glass.
- Perform again if needed.
3. Hold Your Breath
From the list of home remedies for hiccups, there is an oldest tip which everyone often tells each other on how to get rid of hiccups efficiently. That is holding breath. This way will make the level of carbon dioxide in your blood raise, thus distract your mind and eliminate hiccups.
How to use:
- Inhale deeply and hold it for as long as possible without losing any air.
- Breathe out gently and calmly.
- Perform for another turn.
- You can repeat for couples of cycle until the hiccups are gone.
4. Sugar
One extremely common kitchen ingredient from the list of home remedies for hiccups which can cure hiccups fairly well is sugar. This tip is perfect for kids which might have difficulties perform those 2 remedies above. Sugar can trigger the vagus nerve which can help you distract and forget about the hiccups[4].
How to use:
- Take a teaspoon of either brown or white sugar.
- Put in your mouth and hold for about 5 seconds.
- Let the sugar dissolve naturally without chewing.
- Finish with water and the hiccups will be gone.
There is another problem which might result from too much hiccups which is vomiting. However, sugar can also take care of that problem effectively and efficiently. You can find more about how to use sugar for vomiting at: Home Remedies for Vomiting.
5. Vinegar
If there is a kitchen ingredient which you cannot pass from the list of home remedies for hiccups, it should be vinegar. The sour taste of vinegar is extremely efficient at distracting you from hiccups[5][6].
How to use:
- Consume half a teaspoon of vinegar and finish with some water.
- Another way is taking a teaspoon of vinegar into some water. Consume slowly so that the hiccups can be gone.
For more information about the benefits and applications of apple cider vinegar, please read: 16 Ways That Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits You.
6. Peanut Butter
One tip from the home remedies for hiccups which has been recommended for ages is peanut butter. Due to its gooey and sticky consistency, peanut butter will interrupt the pattern of your breath during swallowing; therefore, hiccups can be stopped.
How to use:
- Take a teaspoon of peanut butter and put into your mouth.
- Let it sit there for couples of second before swallowing without chewing.
- Consider having some water to finish.
In case, there is no peanut butter, you can opt for almond butter.
7. Breathe into a Paper Bag
One extremely popular and effective tip for the treatment of hiccups is breathing in and out of a paper bag. This method will raise the level of carbon dioxide in your body, thus make the diaphragm contract harder in order to get more oxygen which will help eliminate the hiccups.
How to use:
- Take a paper bag and cover your mouth with it.
- Inhale and exhale deeply within it.
- Perform couples of time with the bag.
Note: In case, you are having problems related to heart such as stroke, it is not recommended.
8. Lemon
It will be a huge shame to leave lemon out of the home remedies for hiccups. The sour taste of lemon is on par with vinegar in the effectiveness of stopping hiccups due to its ability to overpower the irritated nerves.
How to use:
- Take half a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and put into your mouth. The sour taste will make it difficult for you to swallow, thus help eliminate the hiccups.
- Another way is taking juice from a lemon into some water. Consume as fast as possible in order to get rid of hiccups.
- Also you can take some salt and put on top a piece of lemon, then slowly suck the lemon to eliminate the hiccups.
9. Cardamom
If there is one herb from the list of home remedies for hiccups that you should consider using, it should be cardamom. The muscle-relaxing property of cardamom is incredibly effective at removing hiccups.
How to use:
- Take a teaspoon of cardamom powder into some hot water.
- Steep it for about 15 minutes.
- After straining, consume slowly.
10. Chamomile
Another herb from the list of home remedies for hiccups which is just as good is chamomile. Having similar muscle-relaxant property, it can help you release the contraction of diaphragm which triggers hiccups[7][8].
How to use:
- Take a teaspoon of dried chamomile into some hot water and steep for about 10 minutes. Consume slowly to eliminate the hiccups.
- Another way is taking 1 to 2 drops of essential oil into a paper bag. Use the tip from breathing into a paper bag in order to get rid of hiccups.
You can read more about Health Benefits of Chamomile.
11. Honey
For the treatment of hiccups, you can take a full tablespoon of honey as the swallowing process as well as the warmth from honey will help you get rid of hiccups effectively[9][10].
12. Yogurt
Yogurt has proven to be an efficient ingredient that should not be taken lightly from the list of home remedies for hiccups. You can take a tablespoon of salt into some yogurt to make a mixture. Consume the mixture slowly, even though, just couples of spoon can already help you relieve hiccups[11].
13. Asafetida
This is indeed the most unconventional tip from the list of home remedies for hiccups. It is surprisingly a powerful agent which can help ease the diaphragm’s muscles. You can take a teaspoon of asafetida powder with a tablespoon of clarified butter to consume together. It is remarkably potent and can relieve you from hiccups quickly.
14. Hot Sauce
This can be considered as the most crucial tip from the list of home remedies for hiccups as it use the burning sensation to distract your mind from hiccups. It might affect negatively to your mouth and taste, but it can stop hiccups eventually and effectively.
15. Mustard Seeds
The last tip from our recommendation of home remedies for hiccups is indeed mustard seeds[12][13]. You can take half a teaspoon of mustard seeds and same for clarified butter, and then consume to eliminate hiccups.
Extra Tips:
- You can laugh or sing loudly as a distraction to stop hiccups.
- Consume some fizzy beverages in order to create a burp to clear hiccups.
- You can take your fingers to hold the tongue’s end and pull in order to relieve spasm of diaphragm and get rid of hiccups.
- You can tickle the soft palate format the root of the mouth by a cotton swab.
- You can take your fingers to cover your ear holes and inhale then exhale deeply for couples of second.
- Avoid eating too quickly as well as overeating.
- Keep out of spicy foods as it can create irritation at the lining of stomach and esophagus.
- Cover the nostrils and mouth with your hands but keep trying to breathe.
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