Hiccups are one of life’s greatest mysteries that can often be fun and most of the time, annoying. You just can’t control all those involuntary spasms that your diaphragm takes. In fact, hiccups are caused by an irritated diaphragm, which is supposed to be responsible for the proper flow of air we breathe in and breathe out. When hiccups happen, one can simply be too exhausted from all those hiccups and yet, the saga goes on.
That very quick moment when the air causes this flap of protective tissue over your trachea to close, it then starts to created that ” hic ” sound. It can be embarrassing, specially in public functions and places. Hiccups can be caused by many things such as heartburn, laryngitis, eardrum irritation, surgery, tumor, bloating, infection, diabetes, over consumption of alcohol, spicy foods, smoking, or swallowing foods without chewing properly. There are many home remedies for hiccups, most of them are bizarre. Some people swear that these cures really work.
Here are 20 Natural, Yet Controversial Cures for Hiccups:
1. Take the deepest breath you can, hold it, and exhale very slowly.
2. Keep your mouth open for a couple of minutes and breathe.
3. Drink a glass of water with ice cubes. The water will help wash away the irritation and the cold temperature can stop the hiccup loop.
4. Drink a glass of water without stopping – Bottoms Up!
5. Stop thinking about your hiccups and focus your attention to something else.
6. Breathe deeply and hold. Touch your temples until you cannot hold your breath. Release the air.
7. Drink plenty of water until you burp.
8. With your feet wide apart, stand upright, lock your palms, stretch your arms and reach for the sky. Pull your abs tight like you’re letting your pants fall into your hips. Breathe deeply.
9. Take a spoonful of sugar to your mouth and drink water. Repeat until hiccups cleared.
10. Sit with your back straight against a chair and tuck your arms across your body. Squeeze yourself and hold your breath for 10 seconds. Release.
11. Try to break the pattern of your hiccup by holding your breath.
12. Drink a teaspoon of vinegar.
13. Say the word ” Aneta ” whenever you hiccup.
14. Press the indent between your nose and upper lip and hold for 20 seconds. Release and hold, until the hiccups are gone.
15. This might take some practice but if you can, fill your glass with water and bend over. Try drinking upside-down. Then, go back to a standing position.
16. Breathe in quickly until you can’t take in more air and look downwards, making sure your neck is bent. Hold for 10 seconds and release.
17. Drink a glass of cold soda water.
18. If someone is suffering hiccups, give that person a sudden fright.
19. Draw your knees up to your chest and squat until your hiccups are gone.
20. Suck as much air as you can in your stomach and hold for 10 seconds. Release and repeat until hiccups are gone.
These natural remedies have been used by many and solutions will work depending on the person suffering those nasty hiccups. Most of the time, a placebo effect or a distraction is enough in making hiccups go away. You must avoid hot and spicy foods when you’re suffering hiccups. Though not a serious medical condition, if you’re too weak with all those hiccups for more than 24 hours, it is best to see your doctor.
