Why Do I Hiccup: The Best Way to Stop It

Monica Pineider
Sep 25, 2024
6 min read

Updated: May 19

About | What happens when you hiccup? | Causes | How to stop hiccups | Alternative Therapies

Hiccups can be a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing occurrence. While there isn’t a guaranteed cure, discover how to stop hiccups with easy remedies that many people find helpful.

Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle, followed by the rapid closure of the vocal cords, which makes that distinct sound. Most of the time, hiccups are nothing more than an annoyance, but if they last longer than a few weeks, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Key takeaways:

Hiccups happen to everyone, so there’s no reason for concern — unless they last for weeks.
Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm contracting and the vocal cords snapping shut.
The best ways to stop hiccups include techniques that allow CO2 to build up or stimulate the vagus nerve.

Nearly everyone has had hiccups at some point in their lives. Usually, they are nothing more than an inconvenience and an irritation. They may interfere with eating or talking; though they might be embarrassing, they are typically harmless. However, knowing how to stop hiccups can prevent this annoyance.

Hiccups occur in people worldwide and people of all ages, including babies in the womb.

Hiccups are another example of how the digestive and respiratory systems work together. They’re caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle, followed by the rapid closure of the vocal cords, which makes the distinct “hic” sound.

Scientists don’t know why we hiccup, but they suspect that hiccups may be a reflex left over from when respiratory muscles were formed in the uterus.

Most of the time, hiccups last for minutes or hours. However, on rare occasions, hiccups may last for weeks or even months. In that case, your hiccups may be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition. Speak with your healthcare provider if your hiccups last longer than a few days.

What happens when you hiccup?

The medical term for hiccups is singulars. They result from an abrupt, involuntary contraction of a large muscular structure underneath your rib cage called the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is dome-shaped and mostly made of muscle and fibrous tissues. It separates the chest from the abdominal cavity. Understanding how the diaphragm works is key to stopping hiccups.

The diaphragm has several important bodily functions, and we cannot live without it. It helps you breathe and allows lymphatic fluid to flow through the body, which allows your immune system to fight germs.

The diaphragm also helps move muscles during childbirth, bowel movements, and lifting heavy objects.

During a hiccup, the diaphragm contracts suddenly, which causes the glottis, or vocal cords, to snap shut quickly. The diaphragm is triggered to contract by the stimulation of two different nerves in the body: the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, and the vagus nerve, which controls breathing. This sudden contraction can also increase abdominal pressure, which may contribute to urinary incontinence in individuals with weakened pelvic floor muscles.

However, many things can stimulate the nerve.

What causes hiccups?

Since most hiccup cases are acute, meaning they come on suddenly and then stop within minutes or hours, they have not been the subject of scientific studies. Chronic cases of hiccups have been studied much more thoroughly, so health professionals know more about them.

Usually, hiccups last for a few minutes to a few hours. It is not uncommon for regular, acute hiccups to go on for a whole day or even two days. Rarely, hiccups can become intractable or hard to manage and last longer than a month. Nearly everyone hiccups sometimes, from in-utero to elderly people.

Studies show that hiccups lasting longer than several weeks are more likely to happen in older males and people who are taller and heavier than average. This can be quite frustrating, but knowing how to stop hiccups might help.

Hiccups happen when your diaphragm suddenly contracts as a result of the vagus or phrenic nerve stimulation. The diaphragm contracting causes your vocal cords to close quickly, which makes the peculiar “hic” sound.

Sometimes, excess gas in the stomach or intestines can press against the diaphragm, triggering these contractions and leading to both hiccups and chest discomfort.

Hiccups can happen for different reasons, including the following:

Ingesting carbonated drinks
Eating too quickly
Eating too much food at one time
Eating spicy foods
Being emotionally excited
Feeling stressed
Drinking alcohol
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (a more intense form of acid reflux)
Taking particular medications, like chemotherapy or anxiety medicines

When these lifestyle factors lead to hiccups, it is usually acute hiccups that come on suddenly and then disappear within minutes or hours.

If hiccups last longer than two days, they are called persistent hiccups. Intractable hiccups lasting a month or more can signify an underlying medical condition. These types of hiccups are much rarer than normal hiccups.

Causes of intractable hiccups may include:

Gastrointestinal disorders: gallbladder disease and other issues.

Medications: certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, painkillers, or anxiety medicine, which can be linked to how to stop hiccups too.

Cardiovascular disorders: aneurysm, heart attack, and others.

Infectious diseases: H. pylori infection, the flu, or the virus that causes shingles.

Tumors in the esophagus (throat) or diaphragm.

Ear, nose, and throat issues: sore throat, irritation from a foreign body, and others.

Central nervous system disorders: Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and others.

Metabolic disorders: diabetes, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), and others.

This list is not exhaustive, and studies are still being conducted to understand what causes intractable hiccups fully. The record for the longest bout of intractable hiccups was over 60 years. If your hiccups last longer than a few days, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider.

How to stop hiccups

For average hiccups, many simple steps can be taken to stop them.

However, scientific studies show that allowing extra carbon dioxide (CO2) to build up is the most effective. Carbon dioxide is a gas that you naturally expel as you breathe out.

Ways to breathe in more CO2 and stop hiccups include:

Breathing into a paper bag (never plastic).
Holding your breath.
Doing the Valsalva maneuver: pinch your nose shut, close your mouth, and try to exhale.
Doing the supra-supramaximal inspiration technique: inhale completely and hold for ten seconds, then without exhaling, inhale two more times and hold for five seconds each.

Studies also show that stimulating the vagus nerve may be effective at getting rid of hiccups, including:

Sticking your tongue out and pulling on it gently with your fingers.
Drinking a cold beverage.
Massaging your carotid artery: the artery under your jaw where you can feel your heartbeat.
Gargling with water.
Eating or drinking something sour, like a pickle or lemon juice.
Using vagus nerve stimulation device

Most of the time, hiccups are nothing more than a harmless annoyance. Doing things that stimulate the vagus nerve or allowing extra CO2 to build up for short periods has been known to stop hiccups in many people.

There is no official guidance on curing hiccups, but these techniques often work. If your hiccups last longer than a few days, reach out to your healthcare provider.

Alternative Therapies for Hiccups

While there's no guaranteed cure for hiccups, many people find relief through alternative therapies. Here are a few options to explore:

1. Acupuncture:

Involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body.
Can help stimulate the vagus nerve, which may help stop hiccups.
Consult a licensed acupuncturist for a professional treatment.

Book An Appointment

2. Aromatherapy:

Inhale essential oils: Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, blue lotus, or lavender, may help relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups.
Use a essential oil diffuser or apply topically: Diffuse the oils in your home or apply them to your temples or wrists.

3. Homeopathy:

Use homeopathic remedies: Some homeopathic remedies, such as Cocculus indicus or Pulsatilla nigricans, may be effective for treating hiccups.
Consult a homeopath: Seek guidance from a qualified homeopath to determine the appropriate remedy for your specific situation.

Remember, while these alternative therapies may provide relief for some people, they may not work for everyone. If hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or are accompanied by other symptoms, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional.

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