We all know how annoying hiccups
can be. They always seem to come at the most inconvenient times and overstay
their welcome, but there are some easy ways to get rid of hiccups once you
understand what causes them. Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the
diaphragm, occurring at the same time as a contraction in the larynx and
blocking air intake. This can be caused by a number of things including sudden
excitement or stress and overeating or eating too quickly. There are many
different techniques used to stop hiccups and some of them are more effective
than others, but here are some of the best ways to end hiccups in any
situation.
Just relax
1. Hold your breath
Breathing techniques are a great
way to relax your diaphragm and get rid of hiccups. Try holding your breath for
about ten seconds at a time and exhale slowly, repeating three or four times.
The build-up of carbon dioxide in your lungs will help relax your diaphragm and
beat those hiccups.
2. Breathe into a paper bag
To increase the carbon dioxide,
you can also breathe into a paper bag. This is believed to work in a similar
way, but increases the carbon dioxide and allows you to focus on the bag and
forget about your hiccups.
3. Compress your chest
Gently compress the chest by
leaning forward and putting pressure on your diaphragm. Alternatively, this can
be achieved by hugging your knees to your chest for a couple of minutes. These
also take your mind off of the hiccups and help focus on something else while
relaxing your diaphragm to relieve the hiccups.
Drink your way to relief
4. Take quick sips of water
Sometimes it really can be that
simple. When you take a drink, your esophagus undergoes rhythmic contractions
which override the contractions of the diaphragm that cause hiccups. Take few
quick sips of water in a row to build this rhythm. Sometimes it can also help
to drink one large sip of water very slowly to relax your diaphragm and also
redirect your focus. These techniques can be discrete and easy to do if you get
hiccups in public.
5. Drink water from the far side
of a glass
One old wives’ tale that proves
to be successful is drinking water from the far side of a glass. While
standing, bend over and put your mouth on the far side of the glass. As you
bend, drink from the glass as it tilts away from you. While this technique is a
little more obvious, it’s proven to be helpful when trying to stop hiccups.
6. Stick your fingers in your
ears
Applying pressure to the vegus
nerve can also help, so try sticking your fingers in your ears and drinking
through a straw. Putting your fingers in your ears presses on the vegus nerves
and the steady swallowing of drinking through a straw helps relax the diaphragm.
Stop hiccups before they start
7. Eat slowly
The best way to conquer hiccups
is by taking some preventative measures to help avoid them altogether. While
there is no one cause for hiccups, there are many factors that can contribute
to them, especially if you seem to get hiccups frequently or at similar times.
Eat slowly. Eating quickly can cause discomfort from indigestion and gas
build-up as well as causing hiccups so try to take your time.
8. Drink carbonated beverages
slowly
Carbonated beverages can also
irritate the diaphragm, especially when consumed quickly with big gulps, so try
to drink slowly and in moderation.
9. Stop overeating
Take caution with how much you
eat. Overeating can overload your digestive system by not allowing it enough
time to process all of the food, causing hiccups.
10. Stop consuming stimulating
foods and drinks
Spicy food causes extra acid to
leak into the esophagus, which can bring on hiccups. Similarly, alcoholic
beverages can irritate the esophagus with big gulps causing the esophagus to
rapidly expand
Source: Lifehack
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