Hiccup or Hichki, almost every person experiences this muscle action in their daily life. In fact, many have experienced situation when they began hiccupping and just couldn’t stop. Well, the hiccups are normal, even after that these instances can be embarrassing and even affect your performance at the workplace or interfere with your daily life.

What Hiccup Actually Is? 

A hiccup is basically an involuntary action of muscles present in the throat canal. It occurs when the diaphragm muscles contract suddenly and are not within the control of the person. It leads to the closing of the vocal cords, emitting a prominent intermittent sound. 

Various possible reason for hiccups include stress, gobbling down a meal, stuffing your stomach with too much food and certain lung disorders like pneumonia which irritate the diaphragm. 

In medical terms, a hiccup means a sudden contraction of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles that are situated between the ribs. This spasm collides with the closed larynx and causes the hiccup sound and mild jerk. 

Some more factors that can trigger hiccups have been identified, which include:

• Drinking carbonated beverages
• Consuming excess alcohol
• Smoking
• Taking in too much air while you exhale more than you inhale. This may result in carbon dioxide levels to drop, which upsets the breathing pattern and cause hiccups
• Eating large quantities of food and too quickly
• Consuming spicy foods
• Eating or drinking something hot or cold, basically a sudden change in body temperature
• Extreme emotions like fear, stress, anxiety, or emotionally excited

Usually, hiccups last for a few minutes in a day and gradually stop on their own. However, in case if you are looking for an instant relief from your hiccups, then here are some home remedies for hiccups!

Pat On The Back

When hiccupping uncontrollably, gently pat your back, from behind your neck along your spine. This helps release the tension in the diaphragm muscles and stops hiccups.

Drink Some Warm Water

Slowly sip on a glass of warm water. This helps stimulate the activity of the vague nerve, that travels from the brain down to the stomach and thus reduces hiccups.

Place Sugar On The Tongue

Take about half a teaspoon of sugar and keep it at the far end of the back of the tongue. Hold this for two minutes and then swallow the sugar. Applying pressure along with the tongue aids in eliminating the tightness in diaphragm muscles.

Bite A Slice Of Lemon

The pleasant aroma combined with the tangy flavor of lemons naturally invigorates the nasopharynx muscles. This, in turn, relaxes the knots in the diaphragm muscles and decreases hiccups.

Pull On Your Tongue

Pulling on your tongue triggers the nerves and muscles in the throat. Hold the tip of your tongue and mildly pull or forward once or twice.

Stay Informed! Stay Healthy! Stay Happy! 

Thank You!