Everyone gets the hiccups. The unmistakable, sudden muscle movements and distinct "hic" sound are an all too common occurrence, especially while eating or drinking. While hiccups are usually brief and go away on their own, they can be incredibly annoying.
That's why humans have come up with so many ways to get rid of them over the years. Hold your breath; drink water; eat a spoonful of sugar. There are plenty of hiccup remedies out there, but which ones actually work to get rid of hiccups? Doctors explain what causes hiccups, how to get rid of them, and when to see a doctor.
"Hiccups are recurrent, uncontrollable contractions or spasms of the diaphragm that cause the larynx and vocal cords to close suddenly, which forces air into the lungs and creates the 'hic' sound," , clinical director of the Mount Sinai National Jewish Respiratory Institute, tells TODAY.com. The diaphragm is a thin, dome-shaped muscle beneath the lungs, which helps us inhale and exhale, .
"When the diaphragm pulls down suddenly between breaths, that causes the sucking in of air and the glottis, the space between the vocal cords, suddenly closes to prevent more air from coming in, which produces a sound," Dr. Ekta Gupta, gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, tells TODAY.com.
Hiccups are often acute, or short-lasting. These are also called transient hiccups, says Chun. Acute hiccups typically last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but for some people, they can last for several hours.
Sometimes, hiccups can persist for days. Hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups, Chun adds. Rarely, hiccups can last longer than one month, which are called intractable hiccups, the experts note.
“Hiccups are very common and usually benign,” Dr. Julia Adamian, an internal medicine physician at NYU Langone Health, tells TODAY.com.
They can be caused by many things. Hiccups occur when there is irritation to the nerves that control the diaphragm, the vagus nerve and the phrenic nerve, says Chun. These nerves, and the part of the brain they send signals to, make up a pathway called a reflex arc, .
The stimulation of these nerves causes the diaphragm to contract and spasm, Adamian adds. There isn't always one clear cause of acute hiccups, but there are many triggers that can irritate these nerves or the stomach and diaphragm, the experts note. Common causes of acute hiccups include: Gastrointestinal problems, such as gastritis or inflammation of the stomach, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, and pancreatitis, can trigger hiccups as well, Gupta adds.
Certain medications may also cause cause hiccup episodes, says Adamian. These include benzodiazepines, corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs. Persistent hiccups may be a sign of a more serious problem or underlying condition.
"Some causes of intractable hiccups are irritation of the eardrum, a tumor or cyst on the thyroid gland, viral infections, and neurologic conditions," says Chun. While typically harmless, hiccups can be unpleasant and downright embarrassing. “Hiccups are extremely annoying.
You just want them to stop as soon as possible,” says Adamian. There is no gold standard treatment for hiccups or specific cure to stop them immediately, says Chun. “Often, hiccups spontaneously resolve with some time,” he adds.
However, there are many common remedies or methods people use to get rid of hiccups. These may aim to stimulate the vagus nerve to help stop a hiccup episode, says Gupta, or increase carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and reduce irritation to the diaphragm. "We're just trying to break those reflex arc pathways to stop the hiccups," says Adamian.
Here are several popular, accessible, low-risk methods you can try to get rid of hiccups. "One very good and effective ways of doing this naturally is holding the breath for five to 10 seconds," says Adamian. This can help raise CO2 levels in the lungs, which may help relax the diaphragm.
Breathing into a paper bag for 10 to 30 seconds can help slow down breathing and also increase CO2 levels, which can help stop a hiccup episode, the expert note. "Another method is breathing out against the closed nose and mouth ..
. for about five seconds," says Adamian. In other words, forcefully exhale while holding the nose and mouth shut.
"It imitates straining, like when you’re trying to go to the bathroom,” Adamian adds. This technique, called the Valsalva maneuver, is also used to unclog the ears. Sipping very cold water is a popular remedy to help stimulate the vagus nerve and interrupt the reflex arc, says Adamian.
Gargling water can also stimulate the vagus nerve, which may help relax the diaphragm and stop a hiccup episode, the experts note. During a hiccup episode, try gargling a few times, especially with cold water, says Gupta. "Another thing that's easy to do and does not require water is pulling the knees up to the chest while sitting .
.. for about 30 seconds to one minute," says Adamian, adding that this causes the chest to compress which may help interrupt diaphragm spasms.
“The most significant treatment for hiccups is likely a tincture of time,” says Chun — in other words, doing nothing. Sometimes, ignoring the hiccups and not worrying about stopping them can work wonders. Distracting yourself can also take the focus away from the hiccups and help stop an episode, says Gupta.
Other common methods for getting rid of hiccups include: However, Adamian notes that eating a teaspoon of sugar may not be suitable for diabetics or people trying to limit sugar intake. The science behind acute hiccups, and stopping them, is still somewhat of a mystery. Much of the evidence behind popular methods is anecdotal.
“None of these remedies have true evidence or data to confirm their effectiveness,” says Chun. "There are many common myths that are associated with hiccups, including hiccups being caused by someone speaking negatively about you or hiccups occurring when someone is thinking of you," says Chun. The popular theory that you can scare the hiccups out of someone is also a myth.
"Hiccups being stopped by being scared or frightened have been found to not be effective," says Chun. Some remedies to get rid of hiccups are more risky than others, Adamian notes. This includes pressing down on the eyeballs, she adds.
"I would not recommend this because it's not safe and could cause issues with the eyes or the retina," says Adamian. Another popular hiccup maneuver, drinking water upside down, may increase the risk of aspiration or choking. "Some water or gastric secretions can go into your lungs, which can predispose you for pneumonia or lung irritation," says Gupta.
Hiccups are usually not dangerous and are often short-lasting, the experts note. Most of the time, it's not necessary to see a doctor for hiccups, but some situations may warrant getting checked out. "When hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or if the hiccups are severely interfering with activities of daily living — such as eating, sleeping or breathing — it would be advisable to seek medical attention," says Chun.
A doctor can help rule out more serious causes, and identify whether further treatment is necessary. Getting rid of intractable hiccups often involves treating the underlying cause, the experts note. Some medications may be used to treat persistent hiccups, per , such as baclofen, chlorpromazine and metoclopramide.
In severe cases, nerve blocks or surgical procedures may be performed. It isn’t always possible to completely prevent a hiccup episode, the experts note. However, there are some things you can try to avoid getting the hiccups, including: Caroline Kee is a health reporter at TODAY based in New York City.
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