There is nothing more annoying than a bout of hiccups that won’t go away. Although most people have their own tried and tested remedies like holding their breath or drinking water upside down, these often don’t work.
If you are looking for unconventional methods to cure hiccups, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten methods that you may have never heard of that are worth a try:.
1. The Pinky Trick
This is a simple yet effective method to cure hiccups. All you need to do is plug your ears with your pinky fingers, then drink a glass of water without taking any breaths.
Doing this increases the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream, which cancels out the diaphragm muscle spasms causing the hiccups.
2. The Tongue Pull
Another unconventional trick to cure hiccups is the tongue pull. It involves pulling your tongue out as far as possible while holding it with a tissue paper or towel.
Doing this stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps to relax the diaphragm muscles and stop the hiccups.
3. The Peanut Butter Cure
Peanut butter is a sticky and delicious way to cure hiccups. All you need to do is swallow a tablespoon of peanut butter, and the hiccup reflex arc will be interrupted.
This method works by overwhelming the vagus nerve with something thick and sticky, which will stop the hiccups.
4. The Sugar Trick
The sugar trick is one of the easiest methods to cure hiccups. All you need to do is swallow a teaspoonful of sugar without water. The sugar granules will hit the nerve endings near the throat and overwhelm them, which will stop the hiccups.
5. The Humming Trick
This is another unconventional method that may work for hiccups. It involves humming a tune with a closed nose and mouth, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the body. This helps cancel out the hiccups and stop them from recurring.
6. The Nose Pinch
The nose pinch method involves pinching your nose while drinking water. Doing this forces your diaphragm to contract, which stops the hiccups. This method is particularly useful for people who get hiccups after eating or drinking too quickly.
7. The Ice Water Trick
Drinking ice water can also work to cure hiccups. This method involves holding a glass of ice water over your eyes while taking small sips through a straw. The cold water shocks the nervous system, which stops the hiccups.
8. The Paper Bag Trick
The paper bag trick is a popular method among singers to cure hiccups. It involves breathing into a paper bag for a few minutes, which increases the carbon dioxide level in your bloodstream.
This will help relax the diaphragm muscles and stop the hiccups.
9. The Vinegar Trick
Vinegar is another unconventional yet effective method for curing hiccups. Taking a tablespoonful of vinegar with some water can help suppress the spasms causing hiccups. Vinegar works by triggering a gag reflex that helps to stop the hiccups quickly.
10. The Digital Rectal Massage
This method may sound unconventional and even unappealing, but it is effective for curing hiccups. It involves inserting a finger into the anus and gently massaging the rectal walls.
Doing this stimulates the vagus nerve, which works to relax the diaphragm muscles and stop the hiccups.
Final Thoughts
Hiccups can be annoying, but they are usually harmless and go away on their own. However, if you have hiccups that last for more than 48 hours or are accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting or difficulty breathing, it is best to see a doctor.
Tried and tested methods like holding your breath or drinking water upside down may not work for everyone. Thus, trying unconventional methods like the ones we have mentioned here might just do the trick.