Hiccups are the result of involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle, followed by the rapid closure of the vocal cords. They’re often unpredictable and can be pretty embarrassing when they decide to show up — like that unexpected party guest who’s never quite ready to leave. Though usually a harmless annoyance, chronic hiccups can be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Instead of hopping, drink in hand, over to the medicine cabinet, consider trying one of these fourteen natural and home remedies for hiccups. From sipping on vinegar to gently massaging pressure points, these methods are not only effective but can also bring a smile (and maybe a laugh or two) to those who are experiencing this peculiar reflex.
The Science Behind the Hiccup
Before we explore the practical ‘hiccup hacks’, it’s vital to understand what’s happening in the body when a hiccup strikes. The diaphragm plays a crucial role in the breathing process, contracting (pulling down) and relaxing (going up) which helps to expand and compress the lungs, making them inhale and exhale. However, when the diaphragm contracts suddenly. It causes you to inhale quickly, shutting the vocal cords and creating the ‘hic’ sound we’re all familiar with. Most of the time, hiccups will stop on their own, but sometimes they can persist longer than anyone would like.
1. Holding Your Breath
One of the simplest and most common remedies for hiccups involves holding your breath. By holding your breath, you increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the body. Which helps to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms that cause hiccups.
How to do it: Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you comfortably can, then exhale slowly.
Possible drawback: This method may not work for everyone, and holding your breath for an extended period can result in light-headedness or dizziness.
2. Drinking Water
Often, a simple swallow of water is all it takes to put a stop to hiccups. Drinking water helps to stimulate the vagus nerve, which contributes to the involuntary movement of the diaphragm. For some, this interruption can be enough to break the hiccup cycle.
How to do it: Take sips of cold water without stopping between them, as the continuous swallows can help to ease the diaphragm back into its regular rhythm.
Bonus Pro Tip: Drink from the far side of the cup, leaning forward while swallowing, to get the maximum ‘vagus nerve tickling’ effect.
3. Swallowing a Teaspoon of Sugar
The graininess of the sugar is believed to modify the nerve that sends signals to the diaphragm. Sweet and soothing, a spoonful of sugar can also be the medicine that halts those seemingly endless hiccups.
How to do it: Simply swallow a teaspoon of sugar, either dry or with a small amount of water.
4. Gargling with Cold Water
Like drinking water, gargling with it can help to stimulate the vagus nerve. The difference is that the action of gargling involves a more prolonged stimulation.
How to do it: Gargle with ice-cold water for several seconds, then spit it out.
5. Breathing into a Paper Bag
This method is based on the same principle as holding your breath, where an increase in carbon dioxide helps to relax the diaphragm. However, breathing into a paper bag allows you to re-breathe the same air, which contains a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than the air you would normally inhale.
How to do it: Take a paper bag and hold it over your mouth and nose. Breathe in and out slowly, ensuring that you do not hyperventilate or deprive yourself of oxygen.
Caution: Use this method with caution, as it can lead to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the body if done excessively.
Related: 12 Effective Home Remedies to Combat Bad Breath
6. Drinking Cold Water Slowly
For some, a more deliberate approach to drinking cold water may do the trick. The slow intake relaxes the diaphragm while the cold temperature of the water potentially prompts the body to react, shifting the focus away from the hiccups.
How to do it: Take small sips of ice-cold water, ensuring each swallow is slow and deliberate.
Pro Tip: Add slices of lemon or cucumber for an extra touch of flavor —and hydration— to your hiccup remedy.
7. Applying Pressure to the Diaphragm
Some claim that applying gentle pressure to the diaphragm can help to relieve hiccups. This method involves ‘surprising’ the body without damaging your nerve endings.
How to do it: One way is to lean forward and slowly exhale, pressing your diaphragm upwards for as long as you can without inhaling.
Warning: Pressure that is too firm or directed at the wrong part of the diaphragm might result in discomfort or increased hiccups.
8. Sipping on Vinegar
The taste of vinegar is so strong that it might just be what the doctor ordered to reset your diaphragm. The strong taste possibly overloads the sensory perceptions, distracting the body from the hiccup reflex arc.
How to do it: Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and sip it slowly until the hiccups cease.
Note: This method is not advisable for those with a sensitive stomach or acid reflux.
9. Eating a Spoonful of Peanut Butter
Similarly to sugar, the act of swallowing peanut butter can potentially modify the nerve that signals the diaphragm. Its thick and gooey consistency might provide just the stimulus necessary to stop the hiccups in their tracks.
How to do it: Take a spoonful of peanut butter and swallow it slowly, allowing it to coat your throat as you swallow.
Warning: Avoid this remedy if you have peanut allergies or an intolerance to nuts.
10. Pulling Your Knees to Your Chest
This method works best for hiccups that are as stubborn as they come. The rationale is that bringing your knees up can help to compress the chest and abdomen, relax the diaphragm, and slow down its contractions.
How to do it: Sit down and bring your knees up to your chest, then wrap your arms around your legs and hug your knees close.
Pro Tip: For added effectiveness, gently rock your torso as you maintain this position.
11. Distracting Yourself
One of the less tactile hiccup remedies, but by far one of the most amusing. Involves distracting the body and mind from the hiccup-triggering irritant. Sometimes, all it takes is redirecting your focus to a more pressing concern or engaging in an activity that requires concentration.
How to do it: Engage in a conversation. Perform simple math in your head, or try to recall a complex string of events.
12. Drinking Chamomile Tea
It’s a double whammy of relief: the warmth of the tea can relax the body overall. While its content could serve as a mild sedative to allow the diaphragm to settle down and back into its regular rhythm.
How to do it: Brew a cup of chamomile tea and sip it slowly, allowing the warmth to spread throughout your body.
Bonus: It’s a great way to wind down in the evening, hiccup-free.
13. Massaging the Back of Your Neck
Hiccups can sometimes be related to agitation or stress. Massaging the back of your neck can help to relax the muscles in the area and alleviate any tension that could be contributing to the hiccups.
How to do it: Gently press and massage the back of your neck, just below the base of your skull.
Caution: Go easy on the pressure, as excessive force can lead to discomfort or even a headache.
14. Practicing Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can help to increase the oxygen supply to your body, which can relax your diaphragm and potentially suppress the hiccups.
How to do it: Sit or stand in a comfortable position and inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your chest and stomach to rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times until the hiccups subside.
Pro Tip: Combine this with meditation or mindfulness for an even more calming effect.
Conclusion
Next time you or someone you know is struck with a case of the hiccups, reach for a home remedy first before considering the pharmaceutical alternative. These natural solutions are not only effective for many people but also provide a lighthearted way to handle a situation that’s often dismissed too quickly. Remember. Hiccups are usually short-lived and are a natural part of our bodily functions. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience and a good laugh to see them off.
By trying these suggestions, those disruptive diaphragmatic contractions may find themselves unwelcome guests at the door. They’ll be quick to leave, allowing you to get back to your day hiccup-free—and a little wiser in the ways of holistic health. Whether it’s a simple distraction or a sensory overload that does the trick, it’s always fascinating to find out which method works best for you. And who knows, you might just have added a new party trick to your repertoire!
