How to get rid of hiccups? Common tried and tested ways to treat hiccups

Almost everyone gets hiccups that are annoying at times. Usually it goes off after few minutes but it may last longer sometimes and will be irritating.

Hiccups Causes: Hiccups are generally caused when diaphragm contracts briefly closing the vocal cord and cause hic sound.

How to get rid of hiccups?

Below listed are some of the tried and tested simple ways to get rid of hiccups.

Holding breath

The most common way to get rid of hiccups is to hold your breath. It can be tried easily and acts as a physical maneuver. Carbondioxide builds up in the lungs when you control your breath and it may relax your diaphragm.

Chew dill seeds

Chewing some dill seeds is a traditional way to get rid of hiccups. Swallowing dill seeds stimulates vagus nerve to stop the hiccups.

Swallow sugar

Swallowing a spoonful of sugar helps you to get rid of hiccups in most of the people. Sugar affects the vagus nerve that is linked to the brain and stomach.

Breathe into paper bag

Breathing into a paper bag shows same effect as holding your breath as it increases the level of carbon dioxde in the blood and prevents cramps in the diaphragm.

Bring knees close to chest

Pull your knees close to the chest and hold them there and release. Do this few times to relieve pressure on the diaphragm.

Try sour items

Taking sour items like vinegar or lemon works well to get rid of hiccups. Take a slice of lemon and put it on your tongue and suck it or you can place some drops of vinegar on the tongue to get rid of hiccups.

Honey or peanut butter

Peanut butter is said to have mental calming effect and can control breathing. Honey too have similar effects like peanut butter. Take a teaspoon of peanut butter or mix honey in warm water and swallow it to get rid of hiccups.

Sip or gargle cold water

Drinking or doing gargles with cold water can also provide relief from hiccups. Cold water reduces the spasms in the diaphragm.