Is There a Way to Stop Hiccups on Your Own?

The way to stop hiccups differs depending on whether they are temporary, persistent, or intractable.

How to Stop Temporary Hiccups

One of the simplest methods to stop hiccups is to temporarily hold your breath. By holding your breath, the diaphragm is directly stimulated, and the increased concentration of carbon dioxide makes it easier to stop hiccups. Additionally, there are methods to stop hiccups by stimulating the vagus nerve, pulling on the tongue, drinking a cold drink, applying gentle pressure to the carotid, sipping vinegar or swallowing sugar. If hiccups are triggered by habits such as overeating, drinking excessively, or eating too quickly, improving these eating habits can also be effective.

How to stop persistent and intractable hiccups

Persistent hiccups are often caused by acid reflux. Therefore, medications that suppress stomach acid are considered effective. Conversely, if a medication is inducing hiccups, stopping or switching to a different medication can lead to improvement. After speaking with a health care provider, you may also try medications that work to suppress the hiccup reflex. If there is no improvement with medication treatment, acupuncture may sometimes prove effective.\