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Key Points
- Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle, typically experienced several times throughout a person's life.
- Common causes of hiccups include drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol, eating excessively, emotional stress, sudden temperature changes, swallowing air, nerve damage, and certain medical conditions.
- Various remedies for hiccups include holding your breath, sipping cold water, sucking on an ice cube, swallowing sugar, breathing into a paper bag, hugging your knees, practicing measured breathing, pulling on your tongue, squeezing your nose shut, sucking on a lemon, or putting vinegar on your tongue.
- While hiccups are generally harmless and disappear on their own in less than 48 hours, prolonged hiccups could indicate an underlying medical condition and should prompt medical attention.
Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle that can occur due to various reasons. Most people experience hiccups several times in their lives, the first of which usually happens while still in utero, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although hiccups are usually not serious, they can be annoying and even frustrating if they take a while to go away. Below you’ll find more about what causes hiccups, what to do to get rid of them quickly, and when to see a doctor.
Common Causes of Hiccups
The Mayo Clinic lists the most common causes of hiccups:
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating too much
- Being excited or under emotional stress
- Experiencing sudden temperature changes
- Swallowing air (by chewing gum or smoking)
- Nerve damage
- Disorders of the central nervous system
- Metabolic conditions like diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney disease
- Certain drugs, medications, and alcohol
How to Get Rid of the Hiccups
The Mayo Clinic and Healthline offer several tips for curing the hiccups. If one method doesn’t work, you can try another.
- Hold your breath for 10 to 20 seconds
- Sipping cold water
- Suck on an ice cube
- Swallowing a teaspoon of sugar
- Breathing into a paper bag
- Hug your knees
- Practice measured breathing
- Pull on your tongue
- Squeeze your nose shut
- Suck on a lemon
- Put a drop of vinegar on your tongue
When to Seek Professional Help
In most cases, hiccups are harmless and go away on their own in less than 48 hours, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic also notes that prolonged hiccups can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed. Healthline recommends that you see a doctor if you have hiccups for longer than 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What are hiccups?
Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle that everyone experiences at various points in their life.What causes hiccups?
Hiccups can be caused by a variety of things, such as drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol, eating excessively, emotional stress, sudden temperature changes, swallowing air, nerve damage, and certain medical conditions.How can I get rid of hiccups?
There are several remedies for hiccups, including holding your breath, sipping cold water, sucking on an ice cube, swallowing sugar, breathing into a paper bag, hugging your knees, practicing measured breathing, pulling on your tongue, squeezing your nose shut, sucking on a lemon, or putting vinegar on your tongue.Are hiccups harmful?
Generally, hiccups are harmless and disappear on their own in less than 48 hours. However, if they persist for more than 48 hours, it could indicate an underlying medical condition and you should seek medical attention.Should I be worried if my hiccups last for more than 48 hours?
Yes, if your hiccups persist for more than 48 hours, it's recommended to seek medical attention as it could indicate an underlying medical condition.
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