Hiccups are continuous [1], repeated spasms in the diaphragm of a person for a few minutes, or in some cases, they may last longer. Although hiccups are pretty normal, as everyone experiences them over the course of their lives, persistent hiccups may be a sign of a bigger medical issue. Hiccups can be very uncomfortable and annoying, as they may become uncomfortable after a few minutes. There is no “official cure” to ending a hiccup, but there are some trusted remedies that can help you say bye to that annoying “hic” sound and even prevent you from having them at all. Some causes of hiccups or hiccoughs include swallowing or chewing too much food at a time, a sudden temperature change, and anxiety amongst others.
Now, what happens when a person experiences hiccups?
Although hiccups alone do not pose any threats to a person’s wellbeing, it may become extremely uncomfortable to constantly deal with making “hic” sounds over some time, especially in public.
Here are simple ways you can prevent or stop hiccups from occurring.
Using the Valsalva maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver is [2] essentially trying to exhale or breathe out without using your nostrils or mouthing. It applies a good amount of pressure on your ear, which is a regulating organ and chest, causing your diaphragm to rapidly restore into its original form and stops the hiccups.