To make hiccups go away, you can try several simple and effective methods that focus on stimulating the vagus nerve or relaxing the diaphragm, which causes the hiccups:

Common Remedies to Stop Hiccups

• Hold your breath: Take a deep breath and hold it for about 10 to 20 seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat if necessary

• Breathe into a paper bag: Slowly breathe in and out of a paper bag (never a plastic one) to increase carbon dioxide levels and relax the diaphragm

• Sip very cold water slowly: Drinking ice-cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve and help stop hiccups

• Swallow granulated sugar: Putting a spoonful of sugar on your tongue and swallowing it may interrupt the hiccup cycle

• Bite on a lemon or taste vinegar: The sour taste can stimulate nerves in the throat and help stop hiccups

• Pull on your tongue: Gently pulling your tongue forward stimulates throat nerves and muscles, which may stop hiccups

• Hold your knees to your chest and lean forward: This compresses the chest and diaphragm, helping to relax spasms

• Practice measured breathing: Breathe in for a count of five and out for five to regulate your breathing and calm the diaphragm

• Valsalva maneuver: Pinch your nose, close your mouth, and try to exhale forcefully to increase pressure and reset the diaphragm

Additional Tips

• Avoid alcoholic, fizzy, hot, or very cold drinks immediately after hot drinks, as well as chewing gum, smoking, spicy foods, or eating too quickly, which can trigger or worsen hiccups

• Some people find swallowing multiple times in a row or slowly exhaling through the nostrils after swallowing twice can help

• If hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or cause significant discomfort, see a healthcare professional as it may indicate an underlying condition

Trying a combination of these methods usually stops hiccups within minutes. If one method doesn’t work, try another until relief is found