To get rid of hiccups fast, you can try several effective home remedies that work by stimulating the vagus nerve or relaxing the diaphragm muscle:
- Hold your breath for about 15-20 seconds, then exhale slowly. This increases carbon dioxide in your lungs and helps relax the diaphragm
- Sip or drink cold water slowly , or suck on an ice cube to stimulate the vagus nerve
- Pull on your tongue gently or stick your tongue out and hold it for a few seconds to calm diaphragm spasms
- Press on the soft area behind your earlobes (ear trick) for 20-30 seconds to stimulate the vagus nerve and interrupt hiccups
- Bite into a lemon or put a pinch of sugar on your tongue and swallow after a few seconds; these can also stimulate nerves involved in hiccups
- Breathe into a paper bag carefully (stop if lightheaded) to increase carbon dioxide levels and relax the diaphragm
- Use the knees-to-chest position : lie on your back, pull your knees gently to your chest, and hold for 30-60 seconds while breathing slowly
- Swallow twice in a row with your mouth full of air, then exhale slowly through your nose ; this method helps reset the diaphragm rhythm
If hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or occur frequently, medical treatment may be necessary. Doctors may prescribe medications such as baclofen, chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, or gabapentin to relax the diaphragm and control hiccups
. In rare cases, more invasive treatments or nerve blocks might be considered. For most people, these simple techniques provide quick relief from hiccups within minutes. Avoid triggers like eating too fast, spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, and carbonated drinks to prevent hiccups
. Summary of fast hiccup remedies:
- Hold breath 15-20 seconds
- Sip or suck cold water/ice
- Pull or hold out tongue
- Press behind earlobes (ear trick)
- Bite lemon or swallow sugar
- Breathe into paper bag (carefully)
- Knees to chest hold
- Swallow twice with mouth full of air, exhale slowly through nose
These methods work by stimulating the vagus nerve or relaxing the diaphragm muscle spasms that cause hiccups
