What are Hiccups?
We all must have encountered Hiccups here or there in our regular lives. Some of us may have faced it in the most unfortunate situations and even at the wrong times. They are produced due to sudden and involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle, which is located just below the lungs. It keeps on working continuously when you breathe in and out.
As the Diaphragm contracts repeatedly, there is an opening between the vocal cords. It may make the hiccup sound while checking the flow of the air when you breathe. Furthermore, the irritation of the nerves in that area that goes from the neck to the chest can be a reason to cause hiccups. There is not much emphasis laid on the occurring of hiccups in the medical sciences. However, people do have questions like “how to get rid of hiccups fast?”. It is rare for them to cause any serious health condition or problem in eating, sleeping, or breathing.
Why do Hiccups occur?
There can be several reasons that can relate to the occurrence of hiccups. The common ones are –
- When you eat food without giving any break in between and do not swallow it properly, you may end up with hiccups due to the irritation.
- While you smoke or chew gum, you may end up swallowing air along with it that can also result in hiccups.
- When you eat your food and in gulp air with it, this can certainly cause hiccups.
- Some of the serious problems like – brain tumors, strokes, and other chronic medical disorders are reported to cause hiccups.
- Any harm or damage to the phrenic nerve may result in hiccups that last for a while.
How to get rid of Hiccups?
There are some relatively active measures that can help you get rid of hiccups fast. Some of the commonly used techniques are –
- Breathing techniques – The most basic solution for getting rid of hiccups fast is to hold on to your breath and let the Diaphragm relax. You can even count up to 5 seconds while holding on to the breath and release it slowly by counting again till 5.
Apart from this, you can also try the paper bag technique. In this, you have to inflate and deflate the bag with air by placing its opening on the mouth and nose. Another comfortable method is to lean and bend forward that compresses your chest and puts pressure onto the Diaphragm.
- Eating/Drinking Technique – There have been some really fast-acting techniques to get rid of hiccups with different styles of drinking water. People who ask us – how to get rid of hiccups fast can try sipping cold water that will help stimulate the vagus nerve. A little trick that you can also apply is by drinking the water from the opposite side of the glass or suck an ice cube for a few minutes.
Eating something smooth like peanut butter or honey can also help to get rid of hiccups fast. You can also place a spoonful of sugar in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing it. These hacks will surely help you out without taking any longer for the hiccups to stay.
- Pressure Points – A human body have some particularly sensitive areas that can be used as pressure points. When you apply pressure on such areas, it will help in relaxing the nerves and other issues. One of the most effective methods is by pulling the tongue in and out for a few times. It will help is relaxing the muscles and nerves in your throat.
Your Diaphragm separates your lungs from the abdomen. You can use your hands to apply pressure in that area that will get relief from the irritating hiccups. Some people have also use the thumb technique in order to apply pressure on the palm by squeezing it.
Other remedies – Here is a list of some other remedies that you can try to get rid of hiccups.
- Firstly, you can rub the back of your neck, which will help to stimulate your phrenic nerve.
- Secondly, you can also opt for a cotton swab to poke your throat until you cough. Doing so will help stimulate the vagus nerve.
- Other than these, you can also try distracting your mind by focusing on something different, like playing a game or doing a simple calculation.
In most of the cases, a hiccup goes away within a short while. However, if your hiccups last for a period of more than 48 hours, then you must take help from a medical professional.