Ideally, hiccups go away within a few minutes on their own. But, if you have been suffering from chronic hiccups that can last over 48 hours, you should consult a doctor. It can be an indication of some underlying condition that needs cure.
We often get hiccups at one time or another during our day to day lives. They tend to go away on their own within a few minutes, but they can be extremely bothersome as they interfere with talking or eating food. Meanwhile, people often try several ways to get rid of hiccups when they do not stop for a long time. These methods include sipping water, gargling, or breathing techniques to eliminate hiccups.
Hiccups may occur when diaphragm starts to spasm involuntarily. It is a large muscle that aids in breathing in and out. The moment diaphragm starts to spasm, a person inhales abruptly and his/her vocal cords snap shut that can lead to this unique sound. Normally, hiccups come and go on their own instantly. Factors that may cause hiccups include excessive eating or eating too fast, consumption of carbonated drinks, intake of spicy foods, too much stress or excitement, drinking alcohol, and instant changes in temperature.
Ideally, hiccups go away within a few minutes on their own. But, if you have been suffering from chronic hiccups that can last over 48 hours, you should consult a doctor. It can be an indication of some underlying condition that needs cure.
According To a study conducted by National Library of Medicine, “Depending on their duration, hiccups are classified as transient hiccups (episodes lasting seconds or minutes), persistent hiccups (longer than 48 hours), and recurrent hiccups (episodes of hiccups more lasting than transient and often with frequent repetition). In most bouts of transient hiccups the aetiology is unknown. In the case of persistent hiccups the most frequent causes are gastro-oesophageal diseases.”
1. Breathing: Hold you breath for approximately 10 seconds and then inhale 2 more times before exhaling. Breathe into a paper bag ensuring that you do not cover the head with it. Try to bring your knees to the chest and hug them. You may also compress your chest smoothly by leaning forward.
2. Eating or Drinking: There are some techniques involving eating and drinking to stop hiccups. It involves gargling with ice water, drop a few drops of vinegar in your mouth, sip cold water slowly and gradually, bite into a slice of lemon, and placing ground sugar on tongue and swallowing it, according to a report featured in Medical News Today.
3. Pressure Points: There are some pressure points technique as well that can help in resolving hiccups. It includes pulling smoothly on the tongue that will help in stimulating the vagus nerve and relax the diaphragm spasms. You can also press gently on the diaphragm or apply gentle pressure on each side of the nose while swallowing.
Infants get hiccups very often. It is normal part of child growth and it does not cause any disturbance also. However, hiccups may cause difficulty in feeding and sleeping. If the infant hiccups during feeding, you can change the baby’s position or help the baby burp. Frequent hiccups in small babies can be a sign of medical issue. You may get in touch with your healthcare professional.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.
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