Hiccups can be irritating and annoying. There are many factors that can cause it, some still under study, others more well known, such as stomach expansion. The best way to avoid hiccups is to understand all the reasons that can cause it, even if sometimes it is simply unavoidable.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Causing Hiccups by Drinking or Eating
Step 1. Drink something carbonated
Sparkling water and all fizzy drinks can cause hiccups. Drinking quickly can increase the chances of hiccups occurring when you consume this type of drink.
Step 2. Eat dry food without drinking
Hasty eating something dry, such as crackers or bread, could give you hiccups. The variation in the balance of liquids could in fact disturb the diaphragm.
Step 3. Eat spicy
Eating hotter than usual can irritate the nerves around the throat and stomach, causing hiccups. Keep in mind that you may also get a bad stomach ache.
Not everyone gets hiccups after eating something particularly spicy
Step 4. Alternate the temperature of the drinks
Sometimes, a sudden change in the temperature inside the stomach can cause hiccups. This can happen if you drink a hot drink followed by an ice cold one. For the same reason, you may get hiccups even if you eat a very hot and a very cold food in quick succession.
Be careful because the sudden change in temperature could permanently damage the tooth enamel. Causing hiccups in this way doesn't have to become a habit. If you have a ceramic dental crown, choose another method because it is very likely to break. The same goes for those with hot or cold sensitive teeth
Step 5. Drink too much alcohol
Inebriation is one of the main causes of hiccups. Old cartoons often portrayed a drunken character who barely mumbled between sobs.
Part 2 of 3: Other Methods of Causing Hiccups
Step 1. Take a large mouthful of air
Fill your mouth with air, then close it and swallow. It was the only method used successfully by a team of researchers trying to prove that hiccups could be a reaction of the stomach trying to move large pieces of food through the esophagus.
- You can simulate this by chewing and eating a moderately large piece of bread. It is not recommended to experiment with other foods, especially large ones, because there is a risk of choking.
- By making several attempts in hopes of causing hiccups, it is likely that you will end up feeling bloated.
Step 2. Make an effort to burp
People who can repeatedly burp on command often find themselves struggling with hiccups. The same effect can be achieved by sucking in the air quickly and pushing it down the throat. Be careful not to overstimulate the glottis, or epiglottis, by closing and reopening it quickly. This is the same movement that occurs during hiccups, so with an intentional stimulus you may be able to provoke it voluntarily.
The glottis is active when you say "uh oh". Straining it by burping or shouting can be dangerous. Try to understand where she is located and when she is stimulated to reduce the likelihood of putting pressure on her
Step 3. Subject your body to a sudden change in temperature when you shower
Sudden temperature changes can stimulate certain nerves which, in turn, can cause hiccups. It is the same technique mentioned earlier regarding consuming two foods or two drinks in rapid succession with very different temperatures.
Due to the change in temperature, the skin may become swollen and irritated
Step 4. Unleash sudden emotions
Nervousness and excitement are emotions that can cause hiccups. This is probably the least reliable method, as most people only occasionally experience hiccups despite experiencing strong emotions almost every day. However, it is good to know that if there is a movie, video game, sport or activity that makes you excited, nervous or scared, it could give you hiccups.
Part 3 of 3: Finding out if Hiccups are Related to a Medical Problem
Step 1. Hiccups can be caused by bowel problems
Many types of gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux, or intestinal obstructions, can cause hiccups. These conditions can be caused by a low-fiber diet, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, excessive consumption of dairy products and pregnancy.
Step 2. Hiccups can also be traced to a respiratory problem
For example, a pathology such as pleurisy, asthma or pneumonia. If the respiratory system is weakened, the diaphragm suffers and hiccups can occur. Respiratory diseases can result from multiple causes, such as:
- Genetic factors;
- Pollutants (smoke, smog, toxic vapors, etc.);
- Accidents.
Step 3. Hiccups can be caused by the brain
Head injuries, brain tumors, and strokes can cause hiccups. Some forms of hiccups can be psychogenic - that is, attributable to psychological factors such as bereavement, shock, anxiety, stress, agitation, and hysteria.
