Andrew
MOST people get hiccups sometimes. They should only last a few minutes. You can usually wait for them to go away or treat them yourself without seeing a general practitioner (GP).
Here are some things you can do yourself to stop or prevent hiccups.
However, note that although many people find these things helpful, there is no evidence that they work for everyone.
Do
Breathe into a paper bag (do not put it over your head)
Pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward
Sip ice-cold water
Swallow some granulated sugar
Bite on a lemon or taste vinegar
Hold your breath for a short time
Drink a glass of water quickly
Gargle with water
Don’t
Do not drink alcoholic, fizzy or hot drinks
Do not chew gum or smoke – these can cause you to swallow air
Do not eat spicy food
Do not eat food very quickly
Do not eat or drink something very cold immediately after something hot
Why we get hiccups
There is often no obvious reason why you get hiccups, but some people find certain things trigger their hiccups, such as:
Stress
Strong emotions, like excitement;
Eating and drinking
In rare cases, hiccups that last longer than 48 hours can be due to a medical condition or a medicine you are taking.
See a GP if your hiccups:
Last longer than 48 hours
Come back very often and are affecting your life
Are severe enough to interfere with eating, breathing, or sleeping
If, along with hiccups, you have any kind of stomach pain, chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, or vomiting, or if you cough up blood.
Treatment from a GP
The GP will want to find out if your hiccups are caused by a health condition or medicine you are taking.
Treating the condition or changing your medicine should stop your hiccups. – Wires.
Online Reporter