How to Treat Hiccups With Alternative Remedies

Hiccups are something everybody gets at one time or another. Hiccups occur when the muscles of the diaphragm contract involuntarily, producing a gasp-like sound. Causes for this condition include consuming carbonated drinks, too much alcohol, gulping too much air, smoking, eating food that is too spicy or rich, or sudden emotional agitation. There are three different types of hiccups. Transient hiccups last for 48 hours or less. Persistent hiccups can last for almost a month. Intractable hiccups exceed a 2-month time period. If you have a more chronic form of hiccups, you should see your doctor immediately for diagnosis, as this could indicate that you have a more serious medical condition. The majority of hiccups are mild and generally go away by themselves, but if you are experiencing a particularly long bout, it can be extremely aggravating. If you want to get rid of hiccups, here are some alternative remedies you might consider.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Magnesia phosphoricum
• Ignatia
• Arsenicum
• Nux vomica
• Brown paper bag
• Lemon
• Sugar

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Instructions

• 1

  Hold your breath as long as you can and swallow as soon as you feel a hiccup coming on. Do this several times until your hiccups subside. In mild cases of hiccups, this can be very effective.

• 2

  Get an ice pack and hold it in the area where your diaphragm is located. This may be able to relieve your hiccups.

• 3

  Give homeopathy some consideration. Homeopathic remedies that are commonly used to treat hiccups are Magnesia phosphoricum, Ignatia, Arsenicum and Nux vomica, The remedy you choose should be based on your individual set of symptoms. If you have repeated bouts of hiccups, consult a homeopathic practitioner to find out which remedy is the best suited for you.

• 4

  Get a brown paper bag and place it over your mouth and nose. First, add a small drop of chamomile essential oil to the bag, then inhale and exhale deeply until your hiccups stop.

• 5

  Use the power of lemon. There are different variations of hiccup remedies that involve lemons. You can suck on a lemon to which a teaspoon of regular table salt has been added, or you can pour yourself a half a glass of distilled water, add juice from a whole lemon and then sip it until your hiccups are gone.

• 6

  Take a teaspoon of sugar to stop your spasms. This is an easy, safe and effective alternative remedy for some individuals. If you are diabetic, you should not try this method.