Hiccups come and go as they please. They’re unexpected, happen often and can be extremely uncomfortable while they last. In medical terms, a hiccup is when there is a sudden contraction of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles which are located between the ribs. This spasm collides with the closed larynx and causes the hiccup sound and slight jerk.
1. Hold your breath
The next time you’ve got hiccups, take a deep breath and hold it. When there’s a build-up of carbon dioxide in your lungs, your diaphragm relaxes.
2. Plug your ears
The next time you get hiccups, stick your fingers in your ears for 20 to 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can press the soft areas behind your earlobes, just below the base of the skull. This sends a “relax” signal through the vagus nerve, which connects to the diaphragm.
3. Swallow something sweet
A spoonful of sugar is a popular hiccups cure because its graininess could slightly irritate the esophagus, causing the phrenic nerves to “reset” themselves, although there is no proof of this.
4. Drink some water
Take nine or 10 quick sips in a row from a glass of water. When you’re gulping a drink, rhythmic contractions of the esophagus override spasms of the diaphragm. If this doesn’t work, place a single layer of paper towel over the top of a glass, then drink through the towel. You’ll have to “pull” even harder with your diaphragm to suck up the water.
5. Have some peanut butter
A big spoonful of peanut butter is a classic cure if you’re pondering how to get rid of hiccups. In the process of chewing and getting it off your tongue and teeth, your swallowing and breathing patterns are interrupted. And hence, the hiccups will be history.
6. Enjoy a little honey
Put one teaspoon of honey, stirred in warm water, on the back of your tongue, and swallow it. Like dill, honey could potentially tickle the vagus nerve to make the hiccups stop.
7. Yummy chocolate remedy
The process of how to get rid of hiccups gets a little more difficult with this method. Eat some powdered chocolate drink mix (cocoa) right off the spoon. Swallowing the spoonful isn’t easy—but it should cure the hiccups.
Avoid beer or carbonated soda, especially if they’re cold. The low temperature, combined with the bubbles, creates a medley of irritations that could set off your diaphragm.