Rubbing appears to redirect the brain from the diaphragm to the eyes.
It involves exhaling strongly while airways are shut which exerts direct pressure on the vagus nerve and phrenic nerves.
An easy way to do this is to drink water as you trap pressure inside themiddle ear.
Cavan Images/ Getty Images
The action of gulping creates negative pressure that exerts gentle pressure on the vagus nerve.
When this happens, the body will release a stress hormone calledcortisolthat alters respiration to better deal with stress.
In doing so, the diaphragm will relax and hiccups may stop.
you might repeat this maneuver, but give yourself a minute or two before trying.
Doing so without a break may cause oxygen levels to drop excessively, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness.
The high acidic content in lemon disrupts the normal rhythmic contractions involved with swallowing.
When your tongue is in a resting state, vagus nerve activity is low.
By pulling on the tongue, the brain may turn its attention from the diaphragm to the tongue.
This maneuver places direct pressure on both the phrenic nerve and the vagus nerve underlying the diaphragm.
How Long Do Hiccups Last?
Most cases of hiccups last for no longer than 30 minutes.
They tend to come on suddenly and leave as abruptly as they came.
Some cases only last for minutes.
With that said, hiccups can sometimes persist or be recurrent.
What Triggers Hiccups?
To prevent hiccups from recurring, you should probably avoid triggers and other factors contributing to the involuntary spasms.
Hiccups can sometimes be anearly sign of a heart attack.
However, most people want them to stop immediately when they occur.
The quickest way to stop hiccups is to stimulate the vagus nerve.
Petroianu GA.Treatment of hiccup by vagal maneuvers.J Hist Neurosci.
2022;20:eCE0155.
doi:10.14814/phy2.12752
National Health Service.Hiccups.
Nemours KidsHealth.What causes hiccups?.
Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M.Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups.Aliment Pharmacol Ther.
2015;42(9):1037-1050. doi:10.1111/apt.13374
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hiccups, chronic.
2018 Mar 11;2018:7237454. doi:10.1155/2018/7237454
