Credit: I Care
Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm. Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.
Generally, hiccups resolve by themselves after a few minutes, but prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders. Certain drugs, including epilepsy medications, can make a person more prone to hiccups.
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There’s often no obvious reason why you get hiccups, but some people find certain things that trigger their hiccups, such as stress, strong emotions, like excitement, eating fast and drinking.
In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders.
The following are things you can do yourself to stop or prevent hiccups, although many people find these things helpful for stopping hiccups, there’s no evidence that they work for everyone.
Do one or a combination of two of the following:
- breathe into a paper bag (do not put it over your head)
- pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward
- sip ice-cold water
- swallow some granulated sugar
- bite on a lemon or taste vinegar
- hold your breath for a short time
Don’t - do not drink alcoholic, fizzy or hot drinks
- do not chew gum or smoke – these can cause you to swallow air
- do not eat spicy food
- do not eat food very quickly
- do not eat or drink something very cold immediately after something hot
You may see your doctor if hiccups last longer than 48 hours or come back very often and it’s affecting your life.
Credit: NHS
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