Hiccups can come at the most inconvenient times, and when you're in public, you might need to use some very subtle methods to control them. Some 'cures' involve gentle pressure; others, a glass of water. Read on to find the strategy that works for you.
Press the palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand – the harder, the better. Alternatively, you can squeeze the ball of your left thumb between the thumb and forefinger of the right. The discomfort is a distraction that affects your nervous system and may put an end to the hiccups. (And you can do it under the table without anyone staring at you.)
Take a deep breath and hold it. When there's a build-up of carbon dioxide in your lungs, your diaphragm relaxes.
Excuse yourself for a few minutes, then stick your fingers in your ears for 20 to 30 seconds. Or 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.
When no one's watching, stick out your tongue. This exercise is done by singers and actors because it stimulates the opening between the vocal cords (the glottis). You breathe more smoothly, quelling the spasms that cause hiccups.
Cup your hands over your nose and mouth, but continue breathing normally. You'll get hiccup relief from the extra dose of carbon dioxide.
Take nine or ten quick sips in a row from a glass. When you’re gulping a drink, rhythmic contractions of the esophagus override spasms of the diaphragm.
If you can block your ears while you drink, all the better. Stick your fingers in your ears and sip though a straw. You’re pressing on the vagus nerve while also getting the benefits of steady swallowing.
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13 comments
The quick gulping worked. I took several quick sips of water and magically the hiccups were gone. I was at work in a cubicle so it can be kind of embarrassing and annoying :)
the 3rd one worked for me!!
i was trying to go to sleep and i had massive hiccups and i looked on google, found this and tried it!!! after the 30 seconds theyu were gone!
I did the pressing of the palm with the thumb. It worked for me. I had a severe case of hiccups 4 times throughout the day and was starting to hurt. I pressed my right palm a little hard for about 10 seconds and they were gone. :)
the cupping my hands over my face and breathing one worked instantly!!!! i'm so thankful that i found this article!
I tried plugging my ears, holding my breathe, pressing my palm... none worked for me. But then I took a few slow sips of water and they were gone.
None of these worked at all!!!! I literally tried all of them and nothing happened.
the methods worked for me like a charm :D
The 5th one worked for me :]
I've been using the hold-your-breath thing since I first learned it as a teenager, and it's never failed me. Hurray for carbon dioxide!
Scare tactic + deep breaths = "your not gonna get laid tonight if you keep hickuping" leads to deep breathing which actually worked!!! Lol
Yah everyone is differnt i think. I tried all of them and none worked so i tried my own mixtures of these and I found that using number three and also swaying my shoulders back and forth at the same time for 45 seconds cured them!
Well then your lucky, nothing works for me !
My son (23) got the hiccups last night while staying over at a friends, came home this morning and asked me what can he do to get rid of them, I bought the hiccups from him for a dollar and they instantly went away....I had heard this before and tried it...