How to Get Rid of Hiccups: Home Remedies and Medicines

No one is strange to the term ‘hiccups’. Everyone including children, adolescents, adults, elderly, and even infants experience it in their lives. Although they cause a slight discomfort, hiccups are nothing to worry about. They are involuntary muscle contractions and you should be concerned about treating them only if you are experiencing them persistently. How to get rid of hiccups fast is one question that people have often searched the answer for. It is because hiccups occur in a string and can to a large extent impact concentration, focus, and conversation of an individual. Sometimes they can even make it problematic for people to swallow their food. At night, if you are having hiccups, you will find that it is difficult for you to sleep. All of it only works to increase your frustration and fatigue.

Hiccups become persistent if they continue for a duration of more than two days. They become intractable if they continue for over a month. Is there any answer to the question, how to get rid of hiccups?

What Causes Hiccups?

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Those who frequently get hiccups might often find themselves wondering, why do we get hiccups? To understand it, you should know the reason behind you getting hiccups.

Gastrointestinal disorders are a major cause of hiccups. They are reflexive. That means, we have no control over them. Just like we sneeze and cough without being able to control these activities, similarly, we can experience hiccups due to various unknown factors and have no control over it.

Some other causes that are put forward by the medical community include:

1. Disorders of the central nervous system

2. Metabolic disorders

3. Intake of drugs like steroids, opioids, benzodiazepines, and antidopaminergics

4. Psychogenic disorders

What Are Newborn Hiccups?

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What is noteworthy with regards to hiccups is that it is quite common in newborn babies and infants too. When they experience it, it is called newborn hiccups. In fact, babies spend around 2.3 percent of their initial stage hiccuping. Slowly, as they develop more, you will notice that they are not hiccuping as much as they used to before. If you see your newborn baby getting hiccups constantly, it might terrify you. Babies are often seen hiccuping after they have been fed. The milk that you have fed them is often regurgitated into their throat. It might cause some irritation to the lining of their oesophagus and eventually contribute to them experiencing hiccups.

You should remember that when your baby experiences hiccups, it is not a bad thing. They are getting rid of excessive air present in their abdomen through it. It is only when their hiccups become uncontrollable that you should contact a doctor.

How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups?

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How to get rid of hiccups becomes a question of increasing importance when it is your baby who is dealing with it. As mentioned before, do not take it lightly if your baby is continuously dealing with it. If he or she spits and coughs along with hiccups, then it is probable that they are suffering from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. It is very common in babies because their lower esophageal sphincter is weak. As they grow old, this part gets stronger and does not allow the acid to come back to their food pipe.

There are some important things that you need to keep in mind with regards to baby or newborn hiccups. Only after gaining a knowledge of these pointers, will you be able to find out how to get rid of hiccups.

1. Take a few breaks while feeding your baby. It will help him or her to burp and get the excess air out of their system.

2. Sometimes, the hiccups can be stopped by distracting your child. Try to attract their attention towards any other activity or make them laugh.

3. Remember that hiccups are not harmful and do not indicate any serious health issue. They may occur and then stop within a short time on their own. You do not have to take any elaborate action.

4. If your baby is hiccuping and vomiting at the same time, you should talk to your doctor. It is probable that they are dealing with some digestive issues.

5. Never overlook the hiccups that cause your baby to not breathe properly. You should immediately turn to your doctor if this happens.

How to Get Rid of Baby Hiccups?

Father feeding baby, Credit: Canva

These effective home remedies will provide significant relief to your newborn when he or she is dealing with hiccups. They are safe and will not cause any side effects.

1. Track your baby’s hiccuping time. If you find him or her hiccuping at specific times like after feeding, the cause might be in the speed of your feeding process. Consider slowing your speed.

2. Facilitate effective burping of your baby. The major cause of hiccup is the more than usual air bubbles that get trapped inside your baby’s body when they are being fed. Burping is a very effective way to eliminate all the gas that may trigger hiccups in your baby.

3. While you are feeding, pay some attention to the design of your feeding bottle. You might not know, but the design of some bottles makes the air to get confined in the body of your baby as they are eating. Look for different designs that will allow the elimination of air from your baby’s body.

4. Sometimes, it is best to go to a doctor. It assumes importance when you see your baby vomiting and coughing along with hiccups. It is an indicator of an underlying disease that requires the attention of a medical professional. Do not try to administer any medicine to your baby on your own without seeking the guidance of a professional.

5. Gripe water is an effective home remedy that will help your baby get relief from the persistent discomfort. It is composed of herbs like ginger, chamomile, cinnamon, and fennel, all of which are very effective in giving relief to those who are suffering from gastric issues. It will also not cause any side effects in your baby.