We have all been there. You are in the middle of a conversation, a presentation, or a quiet movie theater, and suddenly—hic.
It starts as a minor annoyance, but if it doesn’t stop, it can quickly become frustrating (and sometimes painful). While most cases of the hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes, sometimes you need them gone immediately.
The good news? You don’t just have to wait it out. Whether it’s stimulating the vagus nerve or adjusting your breathing, there are science-backed ways to stop the spasm.
Here is your comprehensive guide on how to get rid of hiccups fast.
Key Takeaways
- Breathing is key: Increasing carbon dioxide levels in your blood via breath-holding or breathing into a bag is one of the most effective cures.
- Shock the system: Startling the vagus nerve with ice water or sour flavors can reset the diaphragm.
- Physical triggers: Simple movements like pulling your knees to your chest can relieve pressure on the diaphragm.
- Know when to worry: If hiccups last more than 48 hours, it’s time to see a doctor.
What Exactly Are Hiccups?
Before we dive into the cures, it helps to know the enemy. Hiccups, or singultus, happen when your diaphragm (the muscle that helps you breathe) spasms involuntarily.
This spasm causes you to take a sudden breath, which is immediately stopped by the closure of your vocal cords. That “glottal stop” creates the classic “hic” sound.
The goal of almost every remedy below is to interrupt the signals sent by the phrenic and vagus nerves to the diaphragm, essentially hitting the “reset” button on your breathing muscle.
Best Breathing Techniques to Stop Hiccups
Regulating your breathing is often the first line of defense. By changing your breathing pattern, you can relax the diaphragm.
1. The Paper Bag Method
This is an old classic for a reason. Breathing into a paper bag increases the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in your blood. Since your body needs to get rid of CO2, the diaphragm relaxes to focus on deep breathing, effectively stopping the spasms.
- Place a small paper lunch bag over your mouth and nose.
- Breathe slowly and deeply in and out.
- Warning: Do not use a plastic bag, and stop if you feel dizzy.
2. The Valsalva Maneuver
This technique increases pressure in the chest and stimulates the vagus nerve.
- Pinch your nose and keep your mouth closed.
- Try to exhale gently (like you are popping your ears on an airplane).
- Hold for 10–15 seconds.
3. Measured Breath Holding
Simply holding your breath can sometimes disrupt the hiccup cycle.
- Inhale a large gulp of air.
- Hold it for about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Breathe out slowly.
- Repeat as necessary.
Eating and Drinking Remedies: How to Get Rid of Hiccups
If breathing exercises don’t work, stimulating the back of the throat (nasopharynx) is your next best bet. These methods work by overwhelming the vagus nerve with a strong sensation.
4. Drink Ice-Cold Water
Sipping ice water shocks the system. The cold temperature can stimulate the vagus nerve and stop the diaphragm spasms instantly.
- Pro tip: Try drinking from the “wrong side” of the glass. Bend over at the waist and drink from the opposite rim. This forces you to tighten your abdominal muscles, which helps stop the spasms.
5. Eat a Spoonful of Sugar
A study specifically found that a spoonful of dry granulated sugar cured hiccups in 19 out of 20 patients. The grainy texture creates a slight irritation in the esophagus that distracts the phrenic nerve.
6. Bite on a Lemon
Biting into a lemon wedge works on the principle of shock. The intense sour taste triggers a distinct reaction in your mouth and throat, potentially resetting the nerves causing the hiccups. You can add a drop of bitters to the lemon for an extra “punch.”
7. A Spoonful of Peanut Butter
Eating a sticky substance like peanut butter requires unique chewing and swallowing motions. This alters your breathing pattern and stimulates the vagus nerve simultaneously.
Physical Maneuvers & Pressure Points
Sometimes, you need to get physical to relieve the pressure on your diaphragm.
8. Knees-to-Chest Compression
- Sit down in a comfortable place.
- Bring your knees up to your chest and hug them.
- Lean forward to compress your chest gently.
- Hold this position for 2 minutes.
9. Pull on Your Tongue
It sounds strange, but doctors often use this. Sticking your tongue out and tugging on it gently stimulates the nerves and muscles in your throat. This can interrupt the reflex arc that causes hiccups.
10. Apply Pressure to Your Palm
Pressing on certain pressure points may help. Try using your thumb to apply pressure to the palm of your other hand. Alternatively, squeeze the ball of your left thumb between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand.
Hiccups: Normal vs. Concerning
Most hiccups are harmless, but how do you know when it’s a medical issue?
| Feature | Harmless Hiccups (Acute) | Chronic Hiccups (Persistent/Intractable) |
| Duration | Lasts minutes to a few hours. | Lasts > 48 hours or even months. |
| Cause | Eating too fast, carbonation, stress. | Nerve damage, GERD, CNS disorders, or medication. |
| Impact | Annoying but manageable. | Causes weight loss, insomnia, and exhaustion. |
| Action | Home remedies. | See a doctor immediately. |
Common Triggers (Prevention is Better Than Cure)
If you find yourself getting hiccups often, look at your lifestyle. You might be triggering them without realizing it.
- Eating too quickly: This causes you to swallow air (aerophagia), which distends the stomach and irritates the diaphragm.
- Spicy foods: Capsaicin in chili peppers can irritate the phrenic nerve.
- Alcohol and Carbonation: Beer and soda are double trouble—gas expands the stomach, and alcohol relaxes the esophageal sphincter.
- Temperature changes: Suddenly eating something hot followed by something cold can trigger spasms.
Conclusion
Hiccups are a universal human experience, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. Next time you feel that familiar spasm in your chest, don’t just wait it out. Try holding your breath, grabbing a glass of ice water, or even eating a spoonful of peanut butter.
Usually, a combination of these methods will reset your diaphragm and get you back to normal in minutes.
However, remember: If your hiccups last longer than two days, interfere with your sleep, or are accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain, seek professional medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can scaring someone actually cure hiccups?
A: Surprisingly, yes! A sudden scare can stimulate the vagus nerve and trigger the “fight or flight” response. This intense new signal can distract the brain and override the hiccup reflex.
Q: Why do babies get hiccups so often?
A: Babies have immature digestive and nervous systems. They often swallow air while feeding, which causes the stomach to push against the diaphragm. It is usually harmless and bothers the parents more than the baby!
Q: Does drinking water upside down work?
A: It can. The mechanism is similar to other drinking cures—it requires focus, holds the breath, and engages the abdominal muscles, all of which act to distract the nerves and relax the diaphragm.
Q: What is the longest case of hiccups ever recorded?
A: The Guinness World Record belongs to Charles Osborne, who had the hiccups for 68 years (from 1922 to 1990). Fortunately, for most of us, they only last a few minutes!
