Some simple and highly effective ways to overcome a hurdle
Acute hiccups often resolve on their own, only severe and prolonged cases require treatment. Here are the most natural ways to treat hiccups that you can consider.
Hiccup (short for hiccups) is a natural reaction of the body. It is caused by the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and the diaphragm, resulting in simultaneous contraction of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. Air rushes rapidly into the lungs, causing the closure of the glottis and producing the sound of a hiccup.
There are many causes of hiccups, such as gastrointestinal disorders that stimulate the phrenic and vagus nerves, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric ulcer, gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, gastric distention, metabolic disorders due to renal failure, head trauma, encephalitis, anxiety, post-abdominal surgery, cardiac ischemia… Some cases of hiccups cannot be determined.
Acute cases of hiccups usually resolve on their own, only severe and prolonged hiccups require treatment. Here are the most natural ways to treat hiccups that you can refer to. If you have frequent hiccups, you should see a doctor to determine the exact cause and avoid it from affecting your health.
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Hold your breath: Holding your breath increases the carbon dioxide level in your blood, reducing the sensitivity of the phrenic nerves, the longest nerves in the body. This can help soothe the diaphragm nerves, control diaphragm contractions, and stop hiccups.
Drink water: Sip a few mouthfuls of water slowly to increase the carbon dioxide level in your blood. Try to hold your breath as long as possible while drinking water to push away hiccups.
Swallow sugar: Put a teaspoon of sugar in your mouth, under your tongue, and swallow. You can either swallow dry or with a glass of cold water. The sugar particles will gently “tick” the esophagus, creating a stimulus for the diaphragm nerves to return to normal function.
Breathe through a paper bag (or plastic bag): Tighten
the bag around your mouth, breathe in deeply and slowly. Stop when
you start to feel dizzy. Breathe out, breathe in through a paper bag to
increase the carbon dioxide level in your blood. Breathe slowly for a
few minutes or until you feel the hiccups gradually diminish.
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Pull your tongue out of your mouth: Gently pull your tongue out of your mouth as a way many people apply to treat hiccups. Gently pull your tongue out to reduce the sensitivity of the diaphragm nerves and keep it there until you feel the hiccups stop.
Rinse your mouth with ice water: Ice water can help treat hiccups because it quickly changes the temperature in the esophagus. You can rinse your mouth with ice water to quickly reduce hiccups.
Sudden fright: This measure will require the support of others. When suddenly scared or too surprised about something, you tend to have obstructed air in your throat. This is why it helps you stop hiccups. However, it is important that others know how to help you at the right time so that you do not know and naturally stop hiccups.
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