Why hiccups happen
A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle under your lungs. A split second later, the vocal cords snap shut, making the "hic" sound.
The reflex runs through the phrenic and vagus nerves. Anything that irritates them, or the diaphragm, can set it off.
Common triggers:
- Eating too fast or too much
- Fizzy drinks and alcohol
- Swallowing air, for example when chewing gum or talking while eating
- Spicy or very hot food
- Sudden temperature changes, such as a cold drink after hot food
- Excitement, stress or laughing hard
Most bouts stop within a few minutes without doing anything.
Remedies most likely to help
Hiccup remedies have little rigorous research behind them, because ordinary hiccups stop on their own and are hard to study. Those below are widely recommended by health services and have a plausible reason to work: they interrupt the breathing rhythm, raise carbon dioxide levels slightly, or stimulate the vagus nerve.
1. Hold your breath
Take a deep breath and hold it for 10 to 20 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Repeat a few times. A slight rise in carbon dioxide in the blood appears to calm the diaphragm.
2. Sip ice-cold water
Drink a glass of very cold water slowly, in small sips, without stopping to breathe. Swallowing repeatedly and the cold both stimulate the vagus nerve. Gargling with cold water works in a similar way.
3. Swallow a teaspoon of sugar
Put a teaspoon of granulated sugar on your tongue and swallow it after a few seconds. The grainy texture stimulates the back of the throat.
4. Breathe into a paper bag
Breathe slowly in and out of a paper bag (never plastic) for no more than a minute, to raise carbon dioxide slightly. Stop if you feel dizzy, and do not do this if you have heart or lung problems.
5. Pull your knees to your chest
Sit or lie down and hug your knees to your chest for about two minutes, or lean forward. This gently compresses the chest and diaphragm.
6. Bear down gently
Breathe in, close your mouth, and pinch your nose. Then gently try to breathe out against the closed airway for about 10 seconds, as if equalising your ears on a plane. This is the Valsalva manoeuvre. Do not do it if you have heart problems, high blood pressure or recent eye surgery.
7. Swallow something sour or bitter
A small amount of lemon juice or a drop of vinegar on the tongue stimulates the throat. Rinse your mouth afterwards to protect your teeth.
Remedies with less to recommend them
Being startled is the classic cure but rarely works on demand. Standing on your head or drinking water upside down can cause choking. Skip these.
How to prevent hiccups
- Eat slowly and take smaller bites.
- Avoid fizzy drinks, or drink them slowly through a straw.
- Limit alcohol, especially large amounts quickly.
- Do not overeat; stop before you feel very full.
- Avoid big temperature swings in what you eat and drink.
- Sip water through the day rather than gulping large amounts at once. Our guide to how much water you need has the details.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if hiccups:
- last more than 48 hours
- keep coming back over days or weeks
- stop you eating, drinking or sleeping
- come with chest pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, abdominal pain or fever
Hiccups lasting more than two days are called persistent, and more than a month intractable. They are uncommon, and can be linked to acid reflux, nerve irritation, some medications (including certain steroids and sedatives), or other conditions. A doctor can look for the cause and, if needed, prescribe medication.
Get urgent help if hiccups come with chest pain, weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion. Our guide to heart attack warning signs explains what to look for.
Hiccups in babies
Babies hiccup a lot, often after feeds. It rarely bothers them, and it usually stops on its own. Burping during and after feeds and keeping the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes afterwards can help. Never use breath-holding, startling or sugar on a baby. Talk to your doctor or health visitor if hiccups come with vomiting, poor feeding or distress.
Key takeaways
- Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm, and most stop within minutes.
- Holding your breath, sipping ice-cold water and swallowing sugar are the simplest remedies.
- Eat slowly and avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol to prevent them.
- See a doctor if hiccups last more than 48 hours.
This article is general information, not medical advice. See a doctor if hiccups persist or come with other symptoms.