Introduction

“Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of your vocal cords, which produces the characteristic “hic” sound.

Causes of Hiccups

“Hiccups may result from a large meal, alcoholic beverages or sudden excitement. In some cases, hiccups may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For most people, a bout of hiccups usually lasts only a few minutes. Rarely, hiccups may persist for months. This can result in malnutrition and exhaustion.” Thanks to:

Who hasn’t had hiccups?

They are very common in little children, even babies, but no one is exempt. Some are perpetually punished by hiccups and this can be a very serious situation. It is also a miserable situation.

Solutions

When I was a boy solutions were: 1. Blow up a paper bag and then pop it. 2. Have someone scare the bejeezus out of you. 3. Take a big long-lasting drink of water. 4. Hold your breath. 5. Breath into a paper bag.

As a general rule, these do not always work. But usually hiccups disappear within a few minutes.

Evidently, hiccups can last a long time. I say this because the Mayo Clinic site says:

“Make an appointment to see your doctor if your hiccups last more than 48 hours or if they are so severe that they cause problems with eating, sleeping or breathing.”

If I had hiccups that lasted more than 10 minutes, I would wonder: What in the hell is going on? 

If they lasted any longer, I would call my doctor sons to see what they say. This would lead to desperation on my part. I might go into a corner and stand on my head.

Standing on your head in the corner is not one of the suggested solutions by the Mayo Clinic.

The Causes and Cures

Read the list of causes, risks and causes and treatments at:

Home Remedies

1. Have a spoonful of sugar. 2. Suck on a lemon or lime. 3. Have some peanut butter. 4. A spoonful of viniger (yuck). 5. Sip some hot sauce. Thanks to:

For more (weird) ways to stop hiccups go to:

See hiccup cartoons at: 

John

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