How to Get Rid of Hiccups Fast

Almost everyone has had hiccups at some point in their lives. Hiccups aren’t dangerous and they almost always go away on their own. Still, they can be annoying when you get them. So, the first thing you usually want to know is how to make them go away fast.

Hiccups happen when your diaphragm involuntarily contracts. This involuntary movement usually happens because the nerves that connect to your diaphragm get irritated. Because of this, many hiccup remedies are based on maneuvers that calm these irritated nerves.

So, what exactly are these maneuvers? And how quickly do they work? Keep reading to find out how to stop hiccups fast.

How to get rid of hiccups fast

The most popular cures for hiccups are based on maneuvers that activate the vagus nerve. That’s because the vagus nerve connects to your diaphragm and is part of the reflex system that causes hiccups. Activating your vagus nerve can calm your diaphragm, break your hiccups reflex, and stop your hiccups. Some breathing techniques might also help to increase the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in your blood just a bit.

Try any of these techniques at home to stop your hiccups: 

• Close your eyes and apply light pressure to your eyelids with your fingers

• Swallow small amounts of ice

• Bear down as if you’re trying to have a bowel movement

• Apply pressure to your ear canals

• Pull your knees up to your chest and rock back and forth

• Swallow a spoonful of sugar

• Bite into a lemon

• Hold your breath briefly

• Breathing into a paper bag for a short amount of time

What works for you might not work for others. So, finding the best method for you may take some trial and error. 

5 things not to do when you have hiccups

When you have hiccups, it’s best to avoid anything that could further irritate the vagus nerve. Here are things that you should avoid doing when you have hiccups:

1. Drinking carbonated beverages

2. Eating spicy foods

3. Drinking alcohol

4. Eating very quickly

5. Chewing gum

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What causes hiccups?

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of your diaphragm, a respiratory muscle below the lungs. They happen when something activates a reflex arc involving your diaphragm, vagus nerve, and phrenic nerve. When any part of this reflex arc gets irritated for any reason, your body begins an uncontrollable cycle of diaphragm contractions known as hiccups. 

Hiccups can be triggered by a lot of different things. Eating or drinking — especially spicy foods, alcohol, and carbonated drinks — can cause hiccups. Swallowing lots of air, which can happen when smoking or when chewing gum, can also activate hiccups. 

Some people get hiccups from stress or strong emotions. There have even been reports of people getting hiccups from laughing too hard. 

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Because hiccups aren’t dangerous and they usually go away on their own, there’s not a lot of research into why these things cause hiccups. So even though we know that stress, strong emotions, and laughter can cause hiccups, nobody knows exactly why they do.

What should you do if you have chronic hiccups?

Chronic hiccups are different from regular hiccups. They’re hiccups that last for more than 48 hours. Chronic hiccups are usually caused by some sort of medical problem. 

Lots of different medical conditions can lead to chronic hiccups. Examples include:

• Central nervous system disorders like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or brain injury

• Gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux

• Lung conditions like pneumonia or asthma

• Electrolyte imbalances

• Medication side effects

Unlike regular hiccups, chronic hiccups usually don’t go away with the normal techniques listed above. Because chronic hiccups can be caused by a medical condition that needs treatment, you should see a healthcare professional if your hiccups last more than 48 hours. They can help determine the cause and find the right treatment.

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Written by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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