Ask the Doctor

How to stop hiccups

Published by

I am a 40-year-old mother of two in good health except for the frequent hiccups that usually disturb me. Kindly let me know the best way to stop Hiccups.

Sola  (by SMS)

Hiccups can be annoying but they’re usually short-lived. However, some people may experience recurrent episodes of persistent hiccups. Persistent hiccups, also known as chronic hiccups, are defined as episodes that last longer than 48 hours. You can hiccup as a result of an overindulgent meal, a sudden change in temperature, excitement or stress, drinking carbonated drinks or alcohol and chewing gum. Persistent or recurrent hiccups typically have an underlying condition which may be any form of disease.  If your hiccups don’t go away within a few minutes, here are some home remedies that might be helpful: Gargle with ice water for one minute. The cold water will help soothe any irritation in your diaphragm, Suck on a small piece of ice, Breathe slowly into a paper bag. This increases the carbon dioxide in your lungs, which causes your diaphragm to relax. Hold your breath. This also helps to increase carbon dioxide levels. Since there’s no definitive way to stop hiccups, there’s no guarantee these remedies will work, but they can be effective for some people. If you find yourself getting hiccups often, eating smaller meals and minimizing carbonated beverages and gassy foods might be helpful. If your hiccups don’t go away within 48 hours, are severe enough that they interfere with daily activities, or seem to be recurring more frequently, you will need to see your doctor for a thorough medical examination.

Published by

Recent Posts

  • Health

FG secures $65m private sector commitment to tackle maternal deaths

The Federal Government has secured a $65 million commitment from seven private sector organisations to…

November 11, 2026
  • World News

Thousands of schools in Europe get hoax bomb threats

Thousands of schools across Italy, the United Kingdom and Ireland received bomb threats on Wednesday,…

November 11, 2026
  • Latest News

Olomi emerges champion of 2026 Nigeria Ladies Open title

Tanzanian golfer, Neema Olomi, has won the 2026 Nigeria Ladies Open Championship after posting a…

November 11, 2026
  • Education

Reps: Bill seeking to establish federal nursing college in Oyo scales second reading

House of Representatives has passed, through second reading, a bill seeking to establish a Federal…

November 11, 2026
  • Latest News

2027 Hajj: Saudi govt commends Nigeria for meeting established timelines

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has received commendation from the government of Saudi…

November 11, 2026
  • Health

Kogi Assembly probes alleged oxygen shortage, death at specialist hospital

The Kogi State House of Assembly has ordered an investigation into an alleged shortage of…

November 11, 2026

This website uses cookies.