Hiccups produce a distinctive "hicc" sound that can be heard when hiccups occur. Hiccups actually occur due to a sudden and brief spasm or contraction of the diaphragm.

Normally, when you inhale, the diaphragm will move downward so that the lungs can expand further and air is drawn into the lungs. On exhalation, the diaphragm returns to its position, the ribs expand outward, and the air is pushed out.

In hiccups, when drawing in air between breaths, due to the sudden contraction of the diaphragm, the vocal cords suddenly close to prevent air from entering the lungs. This can happen when something irritates your diaphragm. Eventually, there is a "hiccup" sound, and you hiccup.

Hiccups generally last for a few seconds or a few minutes. While hiccups may go away quickly and cause no health effects, they can be quite annoying and cause discomfort that needs to be stopped.

Natural Ways to Treat Hiccups 

So far, there are several natural ways that are believed to stop hiccups, including:

Holding your breath

Holding your breath is one of the methods used to stop hiccups. When you hold your breath, carbon dioxide stays in the lungs and cannot escape, relaxing the diaphragm and stopping the hiccups.

You should first take a deep breath through your nose, then hold it for 10–20 seconds. Slowly exhale the air from the lungs and repeat several times until the hiccups stop.

Pulling the knees to the chest

Pulling your knees to your chest and bending forward compresses your chest and puts pressure on your diaphragm. To do so, you can first sit in a comfortable place, then stretch your legs straight ahead. You should pull one or both knees towards your chest and bend forward as far as possible. Hold the position for 30–60 seconds and slowly sit back to an upright position.

Use cold water

You can gargle or drink slowly with cold water to stop the hiccups. This can stimulate the vagus nerve, a nerve that runs down the neck, chest, and various organs in the body. This nerve also coordinates swallowing and breathing and passes through the vocal cords.

Swallowing sugar

Swallowing sugar is one of the natural ways to stop hiccups. Although still not fully understood, it is thought to affect the signals that cause the hiccup reflex by affecting the vagus nerve. While this method is considered by some to be a natural method that works, others may find it ineffective.

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When is it Necessary to See a Doctor for Hiccups?

Hiccups may not be stopped by some of the natural remedies above. Persistent hiccups that last for days or months may be caused by some more serious medical conditions, including:

• Nerve damage or irritation
• Central nervous system disorders caused by certain conditions, such as stroke, serious brain injury, tumors, multiple sclerosis, brain inflammation, and spinal cord inflammation
• Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, electrolyte imbalance and kidney disease
• Drug use and alcohol consumption
• Anxiety and stress issues
• Surgery sfde effects 

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When hiccups are persistent and cannot be stopped, you need to see a doctor to find the cause and any treatment and care that may be needed. You also need to see a doctor when hiccups are accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, difficulty controlling your balance, or numbness in certain parts of your body.

Generally, hiccups are not something to worry about, but if the hiccups do not subside, you need to consult a doctor.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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