Getting Rid of Hiccups

The hiccups always seem to interrupt your day at the worst possible moment. They are caused by many factors. The biggest contribution is eating or drinking too quickly. This causes air to be stuck near your diapram. The air forces it's way up and out. Burps are also caused by eating or drinking too quickly. The difference is that they make it all of the way into your stomach cavity. They can happen to anyone and it is usually during a social or financial function. Which of course, is extremely embarrassing.

People have attempted many different methods of getting rid of the hiccups. The same basic science is applied to each of them, but they do not always have the desired effect. Some seem to make them even worse. The idea behind curing yourself from the hiccups is to force your diaphram down and compress the sudden rush that causes them.

Let's discuss and dispell some of these common myths. The first and most popular is the scare tactic. People sometimes believe that if ou unexpectedly scare someone who has the hiccups they will go away. This can work, but typically does not. The reason it fails is because the gasping effect simply does not last long enough to have the desired effect. When you scare someon they usually jump and gasp for air. If the person were to be scared long enough this may work, but that is not normally the case.

The second is drinking a spoonful of sugar. Sugar has calming efects on the stomach. This can not work because you would have to take in a large enough amount to quickly have an effect. It may work if you suffer from the hiccups long enough, but by that time they are usually gone on their own. You would have to drink a considerable amount of sugar water for this to properly work. I would not suggest trying this tactic.

Another method is drinking a glass of water upside down quickly. That even sounds difficult. I do not know the origins of this method, but it simply does not work. Most people would end up splashing water all over themselves by even attempting it. There is absolutely no reasoning for this method. Save yourself the time and a mess by bypassing this one.

There are many other myths out there. some may have scientific significance, but trying them will often be difficult and time consuming. You might as well just wait until they dissipate on their own. The main key to getting rid of the hiccups is restricting air intake for a long enough time period. This works because it doesn't allow any air to pass. When air cannot pass through the body the diaphram can not contract.

Not all people can properly control breathing. This will not work for small children and may cause damage if attempted. This also should not be used by anyone who suffers from asthma or any other breathing condition. If you can not catch your breathe contact help immediately.

What you'll need:
Yourself
the ability to control breathing

The first step is to wait one to two minutes before attempting to get rid of the hiccups. They are often uncontrable and stronger for the first few minutes.

Prepare yourself by standing straight. If you do not want to do this in public look for a restroom to maintain privacy.

Second, Take a very deep breathe in and plug your nose. This will not allow any air to pass through your body.

Next, push the air into your diaphragm (as far down towards your stomach as possible). This may be hard to master at first. Try controlling your muscles to push the air down your torso.

You will have to hold your breathe for an excessive amount of time. Even a small effect will give you the need to start over. Compare it to under water swimming. This will keep you from panicing for breathe.

If you feel a hiccup pass you need to start over. This means there wasn't even air pushing against your diaphram.

Then, hold the air there until the next hiccup has had time to pass. You can judge this by remembering how much time was between them in the beggining.

This may take several attempts to master, but the practice is well worth the effect. You will no longer become stressed out about getting the hiccups.

The best practice is to avoid getting the hiccups in the first place. Do not rush your eating and drinking. Do not engage in other activities that will cause you to swallow excessive amount of air.

Note: This tactic works because it restricts the air being pushed up from your diagram

Warning: If you feel faint or dizzy do not proceed. Seek medical help immediately if needed.