10 Hiccup Cures: Which Ones Really Work?
Hiccups, we all get them at one time or another. They're embarrassing, annoying, and funny, but what's the deal, why do we have them, and do these cures work?
Quick Reference
- What hiccups are: sudden involuntary contractions of the diaphragm followed by a snap-shut of the vocal cords. That makes the “hic” sound.
- Common triggers: eating too fast, swallowed air, hot or spicy food, carbonated drinks, sudden temperature changes, stress, alcohol.
- Most-tested cures: hold breath and swallow water, sip while bent forward, ear-and-nose pinch swallow, paper bag breathing (≤1 minute), teaspoon of sugar.
- Almanac heirloom cure (1834): 4 drops of cinnamon oil on a sugar cube.
- When to call a doctor: hiccups that last more than 48 hours, or that disrupt sleep, eating, or breathing.
- Sources: Farmers’ Almanac kitchen archive, Mayo Clinic, reader letters.
Hiccups (sometimes known as hiccoughs): they are annoying, embarrassing, funny at times, and sometimes painful. All of us at one time or another, most often without any warning, are afflicted with these funny-sounding, annoying things that feel like they come from somewhere near our stomachs. Below is everything you really need to know about hiccups, what they actually are, why they show up, the ten cures the Almanac has tested across two centuries of reader mail, and when to stop trying remedies and call a doctor.
Hiccups Defined
But what are they, really? Hiccups are defined as a sudden, involuntary inhalation that is stopped abruptly by the voice box closing, producing a short, sharp sound. The medical term is synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. Why this happens is almost as big a mystery as the cure. Most people seem to get hiccups when they eat too fast, swallow too much air, eat hot, spicy foods or liquids, or have an imbalance of carbon dioxide in their bloodstream. For an outside medical reference, the Britannica entry on hiccups lists the same set of triggers and the few rare conditions worth ruling out.
Hiccup Cures
There are thousands of “cures” (we even found some remedies in Farmers’ Almanacs from the 1800s) for the hiccups, some of which people swear by, and others that seem to work for only 2 out of 10 people. The consensus is to try as many remedies as possible to find the one (or two) that works, and then keep using it.
Here are a few of the hundreds of hiccup cures we found.
- After taking a mouthful of water, place your thumbs on your ears (push them shut gently) and your pointer fingers on your nostrils (pinch them shut). Then swallow the water. Repeat, if necessary.
- Hold your breath and count to ten. If that does not work, try coughing, sneezing, or gargling. This alters your air intake.
- Drink upside down. This may seem awkward, but try bending over and taking a drink of water while your head is next to your thighs.
- Drink water fast (without taking a breath between gulps).
- Breathe into a paper bag. This allows you to breathe in your own air, which contains carbon dioxide. Do not do this for more than a minute, as recycling your own air can cause you to black out.
- BOO. If another person has the hiccups, help them break the cycle of diaphragm contractions. Give that person something else for their body to respond to, such as a “Boo” or “Hey, look over there.”
- Suck on crushed ice.
- Try chewing a piece of gum.
- Swallow a teaspoon of sugar.
- 1834 Farmers’ Almanac cure: place 4 drops of cinnamon oil on a lump of sugar. Hold it in your mouth until it (sugar or hiccup) is gone.
Why Some of These Remedies Actually Work
Why do some of these unique remedies work? The general goal for a cure is to increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood or to disrupt or overwhelm the nerve impulses causing the hiccups. This is done by holding your breath, drinking upside down, eating sugar, and the rest. Since your body is not used to some of these sensations, it stops concentrating on what is going on in your diaphragm and pays attention to the new sensation.
| Cure | Mechanism | How fast |
|---|---|---|
| Hold breath + count to 10 | raises blood CO2 | 1 minute |
| Paper-bag breathing (≤1 minute) | raises blood CO2 | 1 minute |
| Drink water bent forward | vagus-nerve reset via swallow | 2 minutes |
| Ear-and-nose pinch + swallow | vagus-nerve reset | 2 minutes |
| Teaspoon of sugar | vagus-nerve reset | 2 to 5 minutes |
| Crushed ice | vagus-nerve reset | 2 to 5 minutes |
| Sudden “Boo” | autonomic distraction | seconds (when it works) |
When Hiccups Need a Doctor
Most of the time, hiccups only last a few minutes, but if they persist for a long time or seem to be happening on a frequent basis, contact your health-care provider. Mayo Clinic and other medical references flag hiccups lasting more than 48 hours (called persistent) and more than a month (called intractable) as worth a workup. Underlying causes range from acid reflux to nerve irritation to medication side effects. None are common. Most reader notes the Almanac receives describe a 5-minute round that ended on the first or second cure.
The Hiccup Record Book
For perspective: Charles Osborne of Iowa held the Guinness record for the longest case of hiccups on record, 68 years (1922 to 1990). His case is the cautionary tale the medical literature usually points at. Persistent hiccups can happen, but they are exceedingly rare. For the rest of us, the ten cures above are usually enough.
Other Almanac home-remedy reads: heal dry winter skin with an olive oil salve, combating cold sores, and 10 natural ways to treat a fever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest hiccup cure?
For most readers: hold your breath and count to ten. If that does not work in a minute, try the ear-and-nose pinch with a mouthful of water, or sip a glass of water while bent forward at the waist.
Why do we get hiccups?
A sudden involuntary contraction of the diaphragm followed by a snap-shut of the vocal cords. Triggers include eating too fast, swallowed air, spicy or hot food, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and stress.
Does the sugar trick really work?
For many readers, yes. A teaspoon of sugar stimulates the vagus nerve and breaks the diaphragm spasm. The 1834 Almanac cinnamon-oil-on-sugar version adds a second strong sensation on top.
When should I see a doctor for hiccups?
If hiccups last more than 48 hours, recur often, or disrupt eating, sleeping, or breathing. Mayo Clinic flags persistent hiccups (48+ hours) and intractable hiccups (one month or more) as worth a workup.
Is paper-bag breathing safe?
Yes, for up to one minute. Longer can drop your oxygen too far. Stop if you feel lightheaded.
Are hiccups dangerous for babies?
No. Newborn and infant hiccups are normal and pass on their own. Most babies hiccup several times a day in the first months. Talk to your pediatrician if they interfere with feeding.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
