Everyone has suffered through hiccups many times in life. What exactly are hiccups, and why do they happen? Hiccups, medically known as singultus are caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, a muscle useful in respiration. Excessive eating, alcohol, excitement or stress can overstimulate the phrenic nerves, which control the diaphragm and bring about these contractions. At the same time that this happens, the glottis, the part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located, closes up.
The result is the spasms and the odd ‘hic’ sound that repeats every few seconds. A typical case of hiccups lasts only a few minutes, but some cases can last for days or weeks, but this is very unusual and is indicative of other medical problems. There is no ‘one’ proven cure for hiccups. Usually hiccups go away by themselves in a short time, and don’t require any treatment. However, hiccups are annoying and there are numerous suggestions and ingenious home remedies on how to cure hiccups. Here are some of my favourite remedies for getting rid of hiccups.
Drink water "upside down." This one is especially effective, though a bit awkward to do. Fill a glass half full of water and, instead of drinking from the side closest to you, drink from the outside edge of the cup. You'll have to bend over to do this (which is why a half-full glass is recommended). Take 7 – 10 sips in this position, your hiccups will definitely disappear!
Sugar your hiccups away. Take a tablespoon full of sugar, and hold it in your mouth for 5 seconds. Swallow and take a sip of water. The sugar changes nerve impulses in the tongue, ceasing the diaphragm spasms.
Other popular methods include holding your breath, breathing into a paper bag, and getting scared silly by having someone surprise or startle you. These methods work by interrupting the respiratory cycle.
