It’s known that sneezing is a reflex to prevent dust or nose hairs or whatever from getting down into the lungs, but why do people and animals sometimes get hiccups? What function does that serve, and what causes them?
Also, bonus points for any random useful tips on how to make hiccups go away…
A few things. First, the only tip I’ve even been given about getting rid of hiccups is drinking a glass of water upside down. As in, lips to the backside of the glass then leaning forward so far you can drink it. And you must drink quite a bit, maybe 300ml. Is this purely anecdotal? For me and those around me, yes, but maybe there is research about it. But it works for us, without fail, and it seems unbelievable even to me.
Regarding sneezing, I am currently discovering it has another feature where after having a few prosthetic discs inserted into your lower back via your abdomen, a sneeze also doubles as the world’s fastest impetus for suicidal ideation.
Holding in a very deep breathe for as long as you can can also get rid of hiccups. Works for me at least, and no need to look silly leaned over with a glass of water.
You don’t think that person that had hiccoughs for like, 30 years ever tried that?
Damn, I remember hearing about that case as well, that would have to be an absolute nightmare!
I read an explanation for that, which was that hiccupping is the default mode for the muscles involved, and there’s a part of the brain that suppresses it. The 30-year hiccupper had damage to that part of the brain, so they started and never stopped.
A lime wedge with sugar on it. 100% has never not cured hiccups on me or anyone I’ve ever suggested it to- and I’ve worked in bars for a long, LONG time.
I’ve found that usually eating just a spoonful of sugar tends to do the trick for me, but not always.
Luckily I don’t have hiccups today, I just posted the question out of curiosity really.
I’ve also successfully used this trick several times
I heard that works because you have to concentrate on it so much, you forget to have hiccups. Holding your breath and then swallowing 5 times without breathing can also help.