Hiccups: Why They Happen, Tricks That Might Work and When They’re a Medical Problem

Everyone gets hiccups, and almost everyone has a favourite cure. Most bouts stop on their own within minutes. But hiccups that last more than two days are a different story, and can be a clue to an underlying medical problem.

Imagine you’re about to give a handover, or a presentation, and you start hiccupping after gulping down a fizzy drink. A colleague tells you to hold your breath, another says drink water upside down, a third tries to scare you. Who’s right? None of them is guaranteed, but some tricks do have a logic behind them.

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle under your lungs. Each contraction is followed by the vocal cords snapping shut, which makes the “hic” sound. Common triggers include:

• Eating too quickly or too much
• Fizzy drinks and alcohol
• Sudden temperature changes, such as a hot drink then a cold one
• Excitement, stress or swallowing air

Tricks people use

There’s little strong scientific evidence for any home remedy, but many work by interrupting the breathing rhythm or stimulating the vagus nerve. They’re harmless to try:

• Holding your breath for a short time
• Sipping ice-cold water slowly, or gargling
• Breathing slowly into a paper bag for a short while (never a plastic bag)
• Pulling your knees up to your chest and leaning forward
• Swallowing a teaspoon of sugar

Hiccups in babies

Hiccups are very common in babies, especially after feeds, and they rarely bother the baby. Try feeding in a more upright position, burping during feeds and avoiding overfeeding. Don’t use adult tricks such as startling, or giving water to young babies.

But when are hiccups a medical problem?

See a doctor if hiccups last more than 48 hours, keep coming back, or stop you eating, drinking or sleeping. Persistent hiccups can be linked to acid reflux, some medicines (such as steroids or some sedatives), kidney problems, nerve irritation, and occasionally conditions affecting the brain or chest. Get urgent help if hiccups come with chest pain, breathlessness, vomiting blood, weakness, numbness or slurred speech.

Sources: NHS (Hiccups), Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or pharmacist.