Hiccups can happen to anyone at any time. It can be discomforting but it’s harmless unless it exceeds two days. Hiccups occur when there is repeated spam of your diaphragm paired with a ‘hic’ sound from your vocal cords closing.
When you experience hiccups,
- Your diaphragm pulls down between breaths making you suck in air.
- The glottis (space between the vocal cords) closes to stop more air from coming in.
The process of hiccups happens very quickly that you hardly notice when it starts.
Here are practical ways to get rid of hiccups.
- Drinking water gently
- Taste a drip of vinegar.
- Swallow granulated sugar.
- Breathe into a paper bag- place a paper bag over your mouth and nose and slowly breathe in and out.
- Eat a spoonful of honey or peanut butter.
Read Also: 5 Home remedies to get rid of heat rash
- Suck an ice cube. After sucking on the ice cube, swallow out once it gets to a harmless size.
- Distract yourself with something engaging. Hiccups often go away on their own when you stop focusing on them.
- Tap or rub the back of your neck. It may stimulate your phrenic nerve.
- Gently pull out your tongue.
- Suck on a lemon. You may need to rinse your mouth with water to protect your teeth from citric acid.
The reason for having hiccups is not yet clear but it may happen because of a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood or irritated nerves.
Mild hiccups could also be a result of
- Eating or drinking quickly.
- Eating too much.
- Drinking excess beverages with alcohol or carbon.
Before engaging in any remedy, be sure that you are not allergic to it.
Visit newsblenda.com for more information
