Can stress cause hiccups? What is the best way to get rid of the hiccups?
454186
A hiccup or hiccough (generally pronounced "HICK-up" (IPA: /ˈhɪ.kəp/) independent of the spelling) is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm; typically this repeats several times a minute. The sudden rush of air into the lungs causes the glottis to close, creating the "hic" noise. A bout of hiccups generally resolves by itself, although many home remedies are in circulation to shorten the duration, and medication is occasionally necessary. By extension, the term "hiccup" is also used to describe a small and unrepeated aberration in an otherwise consistent pattern. The medical term is singultus.\n\n-Sudden shock or alarm. The resulting adrenaline rush will usually cure hiccups; a common cure is to suddenly startle or shout at the sufferer - this only works if they have no idea it's coming. \n-In babies, hiccups are usually immediately stopped by the suckling reflex, either by breastfeeding or simply by insertion of a finger, bottle teat or dummy into the baby's mouth. \n-For some, throwing up or vomiting the contents in one's stomach. \nA few people have the ability to stop hiccupping by simply choosing to do so. This brings forward interesting implications regarding voluntary control of various body functions.\n\nReferred to as singultus, hiccups are treated medically only in severe and persistent (termed "intractable") cases. Haloperidol (Haldol, an anti-psychotic and sedative), metoclopramide (Reglan, a GI stimulant), and chlorpromazine (Thorazine, an anti-psychotic with strong sedative effects) are used in cases of intractable hiccups. In severe or resistant cases, baclofen (an anti-spasmodic) is sometimes required to suppress hiccups. Effective treatment with sedatives often requires a dose that either renders the person unconscious or highly lethargic. Hence, medicating singultus is done short-term and is not a situation where the affected individual could continue with normal work and school activities while taking the medication.\n\nThe New York Times reports that Dr. Bryan R. Payne, a neurosurgeon at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, has had some success with an experimental new procedure in which a vagus nerve stimulator is implanted in the upper chest of patients with an intractable case of hiccups. "It sends rhythmic bursts of electricity to the brain by way of the vagus nerve, which passes through the neck. The Food and Drug Administration approved the vagus nerve stimulator in 1997 as a way to control seizures in some patients with epilepsy. Last year, the agency endorsed the use of the stimulator as a treatment of last resort for people with severe depression"
554945
Yawns and hiccups are our body's natural response to lack of oxygen.  Hiccups occur when our body thinks we're not breathing as often as we should, especially with any activity that involves using the mouth and respiratory system (eating/drinking or talking / singing).\n\nTherefore, use any one of the following (or a combination) as a cure for hiccups:\n\n1.) CLASSICAL / OPERA SINGER'S Long Breathing Exercises - Stand up, torso straight, head up, legs slightly apart, with your arms spread eagle-like almost to your ears.  Take a deep, deep breath -- imagine trying to fill your entire torso with air.  Hold for a few seconds.  Then, exhale all of the air as slowly as you possibly can, by making the sound of a snake ("Ssssss").  Slowly lower your arms all the way to rest on your sides as you say "Ssss," or until you have no breath left to expel. (You MUST expel all of it.)  Then repeat from the beginning.  Do at least 10 repetitions.\n \n2.)  Drink a glass of water.  Swallow large gulps, but not in rapid succession.  Take one big gulp every 10 seconds, until you finish off the glass.  \n\n3.) BRIDAL MARCH -- Start walking very slowly, taking slow breaths and exhaling properly as you do.  Walk like a bride:  one foot step forward , feet together;  other foot forward, both feet together.\n\n4.) TRY TO FORGET ABOUT TRYING TO GET RID OF HICCUPS.  Focus on something else vastly more important, more urgent, more interesting.  (Example:  look at some gorgeous nude guy's pic.)  Don't forget to breathe luxuriously.  :-)  Your body will gradually realize you don't need to hiccup to get enough oxygen, especially with your brain pre-occupied with something else.
317328
(m)\n\nHiccups Causes\n\nMany conditions are associated with hiccups, but none has been shown to be the cause of hiccups. \n\nIf you eat too fast, you can swallow air along with your food and end up with a case of the hiccups.\nAny other practices that might irritate the diaphragm such as eating too much (especially fatty foods) or drinking too much (drunk people hiccup) can make you prone to having hiccups.\nIn these instances, your stomach, which sits on top of the diaphragm, is distended or stretched. Because they occur in relation to eating and drinking, hiccups are sometimes thought to be a reflex to protect you from choking.
601547
I know it sounds nuts, but that hiccup trick works for me; where you get a tall cup of water, sit it on the table, and drink from the opposite side of the glass. It may have something to do with the way your air passages are as you drink\n\n\nAlso for hiccups, try a spoonful of peanut butter\n\n\nThe only real hiccup cure is one that treats the hiccups for what they really are. Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm spasming. Taking in as much air as possible, makes the lungs expand and push down on the diaphragm. This stretches the diaphragm out to it original position and shape. Hold the breath as long as possible, just don't pass out, and let it out. Voila', no more hiccups. It works every time. \n\nIf all of the above dont work.. just watch a horror movie or let something scare U.
397075
I agree that spasms in the diaphragm are to blame but I have found an unbeatable cure (at least for me)...Peanut Butter! As soon as it touches my tongue the hiccoughs are gone!
118431
Hiccups are gulping sounds caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen and helps with breathing. Hiccups can be triggered if you eat too much or too fast, consume very hot or cold foods and beverages, or drink carbonated beverages. Other causes include cold showers, entering or leaving a hot or cold room, sudden excitement, and stress. \nHiccups are not a serious medical condition and usually disappear on their own within a few minutes. If they last longer than 24 hours, hiccups may be a sign of another condition or injury. You should see your health care provider if you experience prolonged hiccuping. \n\nHome remedies are usually the primary treatment for hiccups, although no one is really sure how well they work. Hiccup home remedies include sneezing, being suddenly frightened, holding your breath, gargling, drinking pineapple juice, drinking water rapidly, sipping ice water, or swallowing dry granulated sugar. These activities may help by altering breathing patterns.
815061
"Hic!" You've just hiccuped for what seems like the tenth time since you finished your big dinner. Wonder where these funny noises are coming from? The part to blame is your diaphragm (say: die-uh-fram). This is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your chest, and all hiccups start here.\n\nThe diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When you exhale, it pushes up to help push air out of the lungs. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. When the air rushing in hits your voice box, you're left with a big hiccup.\n\nSome things that irritate the diaphragm are eating too quickly or too much, an irritation in the stomach or the throat, or feeling nervous or excited. Almost all cases of the hiccups last only a few minutes. Some cases of the hiccups can last for days or weeks, but this is very unusual, and it's usually a sign of another medical problem.\n\nYou've probably heard lots of suggestions for how to get rid of hiccups, and maybe you've even tried a few. Holding your breath and counting to 10 is one way some people can get rid of their hiccups. Other people say that drinking from the "wrong" side of a glass of water is the way to become hiccup-free.\n\nPutting sugar under your tongue might work, too. And maybe the most famous treatment - having someone jump out and scare you when you're not expecting it - helps some people wave good-bye to their hiccups. Boo!
25807
Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic "hiccup" sound. A very full stomach can cause bouts of hiccups that go away on their own. Full stomach can be caused by: eating too much too fast, drinking too much alcohol, swallowing too much air, smoking, sudden change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage, and emotional stress or excitement. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. Hiccups that last longer than a month are called intractable hiccups.  Both persistent and intractable hiccups may be a sign of a more serious health problem and require an exam by a health professional. There really is no way to prevent them.
444909
I can tell you that a hiccup is caused by a spasm in the diaphragm (a muscle that separates your chest region from your abdominal region). As the diaphragm is thrown into spasm the hiccup occurs.\nHope this answers your question!
200494
Hiccups are caused from air bubbles.  The best thing to do is to get a teaspoon of peanut butter and put the whole thing in your mouth and work on it and swallow.  Everytime my daughter gets them, that's what I use and as soon as she swallows the first bit, they're gone.
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This is to expand on another person's answer, which was correct but missing some important steps or explanation.  This cure is a bonafide medical and scientific cure.  The get rid of hiccups, you must deprive oxygen from the muscle that is causing hiccups. No oxygen to that muscle, it can't burn energy, no energy, no hiccups.\n\nSo what needs to be done is to simulate DROWNING.  We must trick the body to think it is drowning.  This will cause it to divert oxygen from unimportant parts of the body, like that muscle causing hiccups, to more important parts like the heart, the brain, the organs, etc.  \n\nSo...take a glass of water, slowly exhale.  Pinch your nose.  Take about 5 or 6 sips of water (or more until you can't take it any longer) from the glass...making sure you are taking in WATER ONLY. Do NOT sip any air along with the water.  Stop.  \n\nHold your breath for a few seconds, and inhale slowly. The hiccups should disappear. If not repeat.  \n\nI have found this works 90% of the time.  It only fails to work if there really is something stuck in your throat that really needs to be expelled by hiccups or coughing, or drinking lots of water.
112926
Just thinking about the next hiccup may stop you from having them. Some say that after the first few hiccups the rest are just in your mind and your body is following your mind. If this were true why do babies get the hiccups? Anyway just try to predict when the next hiccup will strike! You may be concentrating so hard that it just won't arrive. If you are with someone who has the hiccups offer them something if they can hiccup just three more times. If you offer them something like $5 or $20 it works even better! \n\nTake sugar swallowed dry, some say take a teaspoon others a tablespoon, and some say white and some say brown sugar, I think that depends on your personal taste.
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Put Ice cubes on each side of your throat untill the hiccups stop, Or start sucking on ice cubes\n\nEat a spoonful of PB, vinegar or sugar\n\nEat soemthing Spicy\n\nDrink a glass of water from the wrong side of the glass **wear a bib**\n\nBreathe into a paper bag\n\nPant like a dog\n\nSpit on a rock, then turn it over\n\nStick your tounge out while holding your breath for as long as you can\n\nDrink water while your nostrils are pinched and ears are plugged \n\nLie across a chair on your stomach and drink a glass of water.
640605
hiccups are caused by your diaphram (the muscle seperating your chest area and  your lower abdomen) spasming... Usually it spasms due to irregular breathing.  So no holding your breath really doesn't work if it does for some people it shouldn't and is probably in their head.  However breathing evenly and calmly should calm it down and make them stop.
572155
lady_oboe,\n\nThe best way to get rid of it is to drink water, continue gulping it until your hiccup is completely gone.\n\nOn the other hand, if you very unfortunateand you don't have water near by and this hiccups attacks you, the most efficient alternative way (believ me tis works!!) is to breathe deeply, hiccups will still come by counts of 2 or 3, so just continue breathing deeply, you will notice and feel it yourself its gone after your continous deep breathing.. \n\nMy advise try the 2nd way of getting rid of hiccups the next time you have it, and you will see the results..
39516
Hiccups are a spasm of the diaphram.  Hold your breath and while doing so, take your middle knuckle and hold it against your windpipe.  This keeps any air from getting through.  It has always worked for me.  It's probably the same principle as people telling you to try and drink water while you are holding your breath, however I think it's more effective than drinking water, because you aren't allowing any air to get in.
263671
While standing, hold your breathe, and try to touch your toe and stay in that position as long as you can stand it. \n\nSeveral times until hiccups dissapear. It really works!