Is there anything more annoying than hiccups? They usually don’t last for more than a couple of minutes, but those few minutes can feel like a lifetime.
The reason your body has hiccups
Technically speaking, hiccups occur when a muscle between your chest and abdomen contracts involuntarily, a little like a nervous twitch. Hiccups can happen if you’ve been drinking alcohol, or if you’ve just eaten a lot of food. They can also happen when someone gets excited or very emotional all of a sudden.
Tips?
Hold your breath and take some sips of water from a glass. If this doesn’t work, try pretending to gasp like you’ve just been surprised. You could also try leaning forward, as this helps compress your chest. If your hiccups last for more than 48 hours, you should definitely call your provider.
Sources
- Norton J. Greenberger, MD. “Hiccups.” MerckManuals. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mar 2016. Web.
- “Hiccups: Causes.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Aug 6 2015. Web.
