Cure Hiccups

Newcastle Herald

Saturday July 26, 2008

GR

We've all had them, usually at the most inconvenient time, but what is the best solution for hiccups?

There are a million and one theories on how to get rid of this annoyance, but which one really works?

Hiccups occur when the vagus nerve (or one of its branches) is irritated, often by over-eating, consuming spicy food or carbonated drinks.

The most common remedies involve drinking water and/or holding your breath, but, different cures work for different people.

Some doctors suggest that putting your fingers in your ears can stimulate the vagus nerve which reaches to the auditory system. Be sure to be gentle.

The internet offers a plethora of remedies extending from the weird to the wonderful. Among the more confronting is one involving tabasco sauce and lemon juice. It may be an option of last resort.

For the less adventurous, try holding your head back and stroking your throat simultaneously. If that doesn't work, try a glass of pickle juice.

The most successful cure appears to be holding your breath: carbon dioxide will build up in your bloodstream and turn off the nerves, which encourage the hiccups.

If all else fails, try Bart Simpson's remedy by placing a wastebasket over your head and have someone play the drum solo from In-a-gadda-da-vida.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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