Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and the near-immediate closure of the vocal cords. Normal hiccups last for minutes or hours and usually develop in response to eating too quickly, drinking alcohol, temperature changes or swallowing air. Chronic hiccups are those that last longer than two days. When home remedies fail to relieve chronic hiccups, medication or various medical procedures are necessary to relax the diaphragm and stop symptoms.
Step 1
Increase your blood level of carbon dioxide. According to USA Today's Health Encyclopedia, temporarily elevating blood levels of carbon dioxide decreases the sensitivity of the vagus nerve, which controls the diaphragm. Holding your breath, slowly drinking water without stopping for breaths, and breathing into and out of a small paper bag will elevate your carbon dioxide levels.
Step 2
Try home remedies for getting rid of hiccups, such as drinking ice water, using your index finger to stimulate the roof of your mouth, or placing a spoonful of sugar on the back of your tongue then swallowing it.
Step 3
If hiccups become chronic, you may need to take medication to calm the muscle spasms associated with hiccups. Tranquilizers, such as diazepam and chlorpromazine, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants may all be beneficial. USA Today's Health Encyclopedia states that local anesthetics may also stop chronic hiccups by numbing the throat.
Step 4
Visit your doctor for a gastric lavage. A gastric lavage is the massaging of the carotid artery in the neck. Although this is a quick and effective remedy for hiccups, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns that it should only be performed by a doctor. Performing a gastric lavage on yourself can be dangerous.
Step 5
Undergo a procedure that involves the passing of a long tube, called a nasogastric tube, through your nose and down into your stomach. The tube allows any air trapped inside the stomach to escape, thereby ending abdominal distension and eliminating hiccups.
Step 6
Ask your doctor about receiving a nerve block or being implanted for vagus nerve stimulation. These procedures are effective remedies for chronic hiccups for many people, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 7
Treat underlying health conditions that may be causing or contributing to your hiccups. Bronchitis, asthma, nerve damage, kidney disease, bowel disorders, gastroesophageal reflux and liver problems are all associated with an increased risk of chronic hiccups. In these cases, treating the underlying cause should stop your chronic hiccups.
Tips and Warnings
- The Mayo Clinic states that men are more likely than women to develop chronic hiccups.
Things You'll Need
- Paper bag
- Granulated sugar
