HEALTH & BODY

What causes hiccups and how can you stop them?

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Hiccups happen when your diaphragm, the muscle below your lungs that controls breathing, suddenly contracts involuntarily. Most hiccups stop on their own within minutes, but you can try holding your breath, drinking water, or breathing into a bag to stop them faster.

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What triggers hiccupsEating too fast, sudden temperature changes, excitement, or stomach irritation
The muscle involvedThe diaphragm, which is the main breathing muscle located below your lungs
How long they lastUsually a few minutes, though they can occasionally last hours or days
Why we hiccupThe exact purpose is unclear, but it may be a leftover reflex from evolution
Most common remedyHolding your breath for 10-20 seconds

What Causes Hiccups

Hiccups occur when your diaphragm suddenly tightens without you controlling it. Your diaphragm is a large muscle that sits below your lungs and helps you breathe in and out. When it contracts unexpectedly, your vocal cords snap shut, which makes the distinctive hiccup sound. Common triggers include eating too quickly, sudden changes in stomach temperature like drinking something hot then cold, excitement, or swallowing air while chewing gum.

Why Hiccups Happen

Scientists don't fully understand why humans hiccup, since we don't seem to need them for survival. The hiccup reflex may be left over from when our ancient ancestors were fish or amphibians. Some researchers think hiccups might help clear the airway or improve breathing, but these theories haven't been proven. Most people experience hiccups occasionally throughout their lives without any problems.

How to Stop Hiccups

Several methods can help stop hiccups by interrupting the diaphragm's rhythm. Holding your breath for 10-20 seconds is one of the most popular methods. Drinking a glass of water quickly or slowly sipping water can also work. Breathing into a paper bag increases carbon dioxide in your blood, which may relax the diaphragm. Other remedies include swallowing while holding your nose, being startled, or eating a spoonful of sugar, though scientific evidence for some of these is limited.

When to Worry About Hiccups

Most hiccups last only a few minutes and go away on their own. However, hiccups that last more than 48 hours are rare but may signal an underlying health problem. Persistent hiccups can be caused by irritation of the nerves connected to the diaphragm, issues in the brain, or stomach problems. If hiccups last longer than a few hours or keep returning frequently, you should talk to a doctor.

Sources

  1. mayoclinic.org (mayoclinic.org)
  2. healthline.com (healthline.com)
  3. nih.gov (nih.gov)