How to get rid of Hiccups

Hiccups are fundamentally caused by an irration to the diaphragm resulting in sudden spasms which cause air to be suddenly inspired into the lungs and cause a closing of the glotis (which makes the sound known as a hiccup). This page identifies multiple methodologies for getting rid of hiccups. Everyone’s body works differently, and there is no one ‘fix it all’ solution for hiccups. However, if you follow these tips there is a good chance that you will get rid of your hiccups. If you try these and hiccups continue for hours or days, please see your doctor, because you have what is known as a pathological hiccup disorder.

If you want to know more about what causes hiccups, please visit my what causes hiccups page.

Tips To Get Rid Of Hiccups

The main principles of how to get rid of hiccups is to try to allow your diaphragm to relax. This may be easier said than done. The second main principle of getting rid of hiccups includes distraction. Okay, so how do I get rid of hiccups?

These are the best steps I’ve found and used to get rid of hiccups:

How to get rid of hiccups tip one:

Take a deep breath and hold it for ten seconds – if you can do this, you have probably succeeded in getting rid of your hiccups. This may take three or four attempts. If this is the case, try and hold your breath as long as possible each time – the longer you hold your breath the more time your diaphragm has to relax and resume its normal function during the respiratory process.

How to get rid of hiccups tip two:

Try to drink an entire glass of water – this allows your diaphragm to rest and makes you concentrate on something other than the hiccups.

How to get rid of hiccups tip three:

Suddenly frighten the person who is having a hiccup ( the theory and efficacy of this practice is debated and if you are researching how to get rid of hiccups for yourself, you can hardly scare yourself now, can you?)

How to get rid of hiccups tip four:

Go for a swim underwater – evidently, if your hiccups are so violent that you keep on having them despite diving under the water, this can be problematic. However, unless you have what is known as Pathological Hiccups Disorder, diving under the water should stimulate the mammalian diving reflex, which stimulates the nerves involved in respiration, to slow the need for respiration and this will help you get rid of your unwanted hiccups.

How to get rid of hiccups tip five:

Try to do some chin ups on a bar. If you are capable of doing chin-ups, this will engage the large muscles of the lats, arms, and chest (many of which are involved in respiration), your diaphragm will often naturally want to contract as you try to pull your entire body weight upwards. This will result in a pause in your hiccups and after performing a few chin-ups you should have gotten rid of your hiccups.