Natural remedies for treatment of Hiccups.

SYMPTOMS

Hiccups that you want to have stopped.

CAUSES

Almost all hiccups are one-sided; that is, only one side of the diaphragm contracts. Overeating or excessive drinking is the most common cause. It causes the stomach to extend downward and press against the diaphragm- which then starts its hiccuppy motions. Other causes include overeating, eating too fast, irregular times for eating, carbonated beverages, stomach, inflammation due to fermentation, stress or excitement, cold showers, sudden temperature changes, smoking, drinking alcohol. Nursing infants which swallow air.

  A hiccup is a repeated involuntary spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, immediately followed by a sudden closure of the glottis.

  But that information does not help solve the problem. Here is advice that may. All of the following methods really work for some people. Find what is best for you. (You will notice that these techniques are frequently based on diverting attention, changing the ongoing physical hiccup pattern, and getting the body to do something different for a few moments.

NATURAL REMEDIES

·         A high blood carbon-dioxide level is known to stifle hiccups. A well-known procedure is to breathe into a paper bag. Blow in and out exactly 10 times; and do it very hard until you are red in the face. You must do it fast; and you must form a good seal around the bag so no air gets in.

·         Hold your breath as long as you can; then swallow when you think a hiccup is coming. Do that 2-3 times. Then take a deep breath and begin again.

·         Hold your breath in for as long as possible; then exhale and hold that as long as possible.

·         Blow air out in a slow, steady stream.

·         Hold your breath while extending your head as far backward as you can.

·         Swallow a teaspoonful of dry sugar. It often stops the hiccups in minutes. The sugar in the mouth probably sends different signals along the nerve routes, interfering with the hiccups.

·         Close your mouth, hold your nose and ears closed with your finger and thumbs, and swallow 3 times before you let go. This creates a slight vacuum and changes the rhythm of the diaphragm enough to bring relief.

·         Chew gently, and swallow ice, for 10-15 minutes.

·         Stand behind the person as he sits on a chair. Grasp the neck gently with your fingers and, with the thumbs, slowly massage down each side of the spine.

·         Fill a glass of water, bend over forward, and drink the water upside down.

·         Apply pressure with the flat of the hand, just below the breastbone.

·         Take a deep breath and drink 10 swallows of water while not breathing.

·         Put ice on the neck.

·         Drink catnip tea.

·         Place light fingertip pressure on each side of the neck, for about a minute.

·         Take exactly 10 sips of water in rapid succession.

·         A sneeze sometimes stops the hiccups. Chew activated charcoal tablets, fresh mint leaves, or dill seeds.

·         Drink lemon and lime juice.

·         Have someone pull outward on your tongue for a few minutes.

·         Drink a glass of water while clenching a pencil with the back teeth.

·         Lie on the left side for 10-15 minutes.

·         Stand on your head.

·         Shout or sing as loudly as possible.

·         Bend over, placing the head lower than the diaphragm, then drink a glass of cold water through a straw. Then remain in that position for several minutes.

·         Do deep breathing.

·         A sudden, loud noise will startle an end to the hiccups; but make sure the person has no heart trouble.

·         Tickle the soft section in the back of the roof of the mouth with a cotton-tipped swab.

·         Have someone massage your feet.

·         Drink a half glassful of fresh orange juice.

·         Take a hot bath for 15 minutes.

·         Place an ice bag to the pit of the stomach.

·         Soak both feet in water for 15 minutes.

·         Bend at the waist, touch the toes, and hold this position for about 60 seconds. This method is useful for both adults and children.

·         When children run around and play, sometimes one ends up with the hiccups. When that happens, try tickling him while he holds his breath; and tell him to try real hard to laugh. He will forget about the hiccups.

·         When you are eating, just be quiet and eat; and you are not likely to get hiccups.

·         Do not use alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, cold or carbonated water.

In case you have hiccups which will not stop, go on a 3-day complete fast, drinking only juices.