How to get rid of hiccups?

 The hiccup is one of the most mysterious maladies known to man. No one knows what causes them and it seems that no one cares either. There is currently no serious research being performed in the field of hiccupology and the no new remedies have come about in years. Luckily, there are approximately 2,622 known cures for hiccups. We can not list them all, but this article examines the most popular and well known.

What are Hiccups?

Hiccups occur when your diaphragm convulses, causing you to involuntarily gulp air. When your body senses the unexpected intake of air, it says "no, no!" and snaps shut your throat at the glottis. The whole process takes about 1/30 of a second, just long enough for you to emit the ever so popular "hic" sound.

Air is the Culprit

Although no one knows why your diaphragm convulses to start a hiccup, it is known that hiccups usually occur when there is too much air in the stomach. This could be the result of drinking carbonated beverages, swallowing too much air when drinking through a straw or eating to fast. Hiccups can be difficult to stop once they begin and most cures focus on disrupting the air flow to the stomach.

Liquid Remedies

The most popular hiccup remedies involve drinking water in unusual ways and patterns. Drinking a glass of water holding your breath is a favorite cure. So is drinking the water in 15-20 small sips. If that does not work, try drinking the water while bent over or while standing on your head. I've never tried to drink while standing on my head, but I would think this is quite problematic!

Eating Remedies

Mary Poppins would like the number one food cure. Eat a spoonful of sugar to resolve your hiccup maladies. Eat three spoonfuls if one does not work. Other food cures involve wolfing down bread as quickly as possible, snarfing large quantities of sticky substances like peanut butter and honey. My favorite fix involves swallowing seven saltine crackers in less than one minute. Of course, everybody knows that this is impossible to accomplish.

Breathing Remedies

Try holding your breath for as long as possible after gulping in the most air possible. Doesn't work? Try exhaling all your air and then hold your breath. Doesn't work? Try repeated blowing into a paper bag. Not for you? Blow up a balloon over and over again. Still nothing? Laugh like a villain in an old-time movie. You know, "Aah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Ridiculous Remedies

These hiccup solutions are sure to bring a good laugh, and may even improve your situation. Try running around in circles, doing somersaults, squawk like a chicken, walk like a chicken, sing the alphabet song three times without breathing, pull your tongue for one minute, press your eyeballs, tap your forehead, stick your fingers in your ears and pinch the skin between your thumb and index finger. Hey, they may not work but at least you will amuse yourself.

Fright, the Old Standby

Someone will invariably try to scare you when you have the hiccups. This usually involves sneaking up behind you and yelling "boo!" The theory behind the scare tactic is that your normal breathing pattern will be disrupted as you gasp in horror. Whatever, this sure is a fun and innocent thing to do.

You Can Get Rid of Hiccups

Hiccups occur when your diaphragm involuntarily sucks air into your lungs and your throat quickly closes to seal off your windpipe. Once this happens, hiccups can occur repeatedly. All home remedies involve the same basic theory that disrupting the pattern will stop the hiccups. In reality, hiccups are almost always harmless and getting rid of them can be quite fun. Good luck in your hassle with hiccups!

Ted Curtis writes Get Rid of it All [http://www.getridofitall.com].

Ted is trekking the Appalachian Trail this autumn accompanied only by his dog Skip and his trusty laptop. Read about Ted's travels at Half of Nothing at All.

Please visit Ted's sites, learn something new, be entertained and educated.

Cheers and happy traveling,

Thanks

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