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Unfortunately, there is still no certain way to get rid of hiccups. There are a number of methods that are claimed to work, but they are not foolproof. Even the more effective methods do not work on every person, and may not work for the same person on two different occasions.
Hiccups are basically spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm, which cause air to suddenly rush into the lungs. Hiccups can be caused by a variety of factors, and sometimes it is difficult to determine what is causing them. They often seem to be due to distention of the stomach, which may in turn be due to a variety of factors, including eating too much too fast, drinking too much too fast, drinking too much of aerated drinks, swallowing too much air while eating, and dehydration.
These are all of course temporary causes, so in such cases, even if the remedies to stop hiccups do not work, you can at least be sure that they will stop within an hour or two at the very most. Hiccups can also be caused by certain drugs, both recreational drugs and those used as medical treatment. If you think that this may be the case, you should avoid using the substance - if it is a prescription drug, consult your doctor about what to do.
In some rare cases, hiccups can also be caused by more severe problems that require intervention. These include tumors, bowel obstructions, diabetes related complications, kidney disease, and foreign objects stuck in a body cavity. These problems are of course unlikely to be resolved on their own, and require prompt medical attention. Therefore if you have hiccups for more than a few hours, it may be a good idea to pay a visit to your doctor.
Among the commonest and most effective remedies for hiccups is this one: hold your breath, and gulp down a whole glass of water at one shot. Sometimes, simply holding your breath for as long as you can is enough to stop hiccups. If these remedies do not work, you can try gargling with warm water; some people recommend warm salt water, similar to the sore throat remedy. One more hiccups remedy is breathing in and out of a paper bag for around a minute. You can also try eating sugar - put a whole teaspoon of sugar in your mouth, and swallow it immediately. Wait for half a minute, and if the hiccups continue, repeat this a couple of times.
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