How to Get Rid of Hiccups When You Are Drunk

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The cause and function of hiccups is unknown, but they can be brought on by drinking alcohol. [1] There aren't really any official cures for occasional hiccups, but many folk remedies can stop a case of the drunken hiccups quickly and easily. Trying one or more techniques will usually take care of the problem so that you can get back to living it up. In the future, you can try to prevent hiccups by avoiding excessive food and alcohol consumption, carbonated beverages, sudden changes in temperature, sudden excitement, and emotional stress. You should also stop consuming alcohol when you try to get rid of your hiccups; overconsumption of alcohol can have potentially fatal consequences, and stopping your drinking for the night will help you avoid the negative effects from drinking too much, including the hiccups.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Stopping the Hiccup Cycle

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  1. When you hold your breath, you stop your diaphragm from moving normally. Since hiccups seem to be associated with a reflex movement of the diaphragm, halting it can help to end them.
    • After holding your breath for a few seconds, swallow large breaths of air a few times. Repeat this process a few times to see if it can stop your hiccups.
  2. Sit while pulling your knees up to your chest or bending over will compress your diaphragm. [2] [3] Hiccups are related to diaphragm spasms, and compressing the diaphragm may reduce the spasms.
    • Be careful getting up and down--remember that your coordination and sense of balance might be impaired when you are drinking.
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  3. [4] When you drink quickly and without stopping, your abdominal muscles are put to work and your hiccups might end in the process.
    • You can use a straw or two to help you drink the water more quickly.
    • Make sure that is only water that you are drinking and not alcohol, which can cause hiccups.
  4. Coughing forcefully uses a lot of abdominal muscle power, and the action might halt the hiccup reflex. Even if you don't actually have to cough, just make yourself do it.
  5. [5] Place your finger on the bridge of your nose and press as hard as you can. It's not clear why this technique works, but putting pressure put on a nerve or blood vessel often seems to help.
  6. [6] Sneezing puts abdominal muscles to work, which can break up the hiccupping action and hopefully end it. To make yourself sneeze, try sniffing a little pepper, breathing in a dusty area, or walking out into bright sunshine.
  7. [7] Gargling requires you to concentrate, and the action can disrupt the way you are breathing and using your abdominal muscles. All of this together can help end a bout of hiccups.
  8. [8] Strong substances like vinegar or pickle juice can “shock” your body into a bout of hiccups. However, if you already have them, they may also “shock” your body into ending them.
    • If this method does not work the first time, it is probably best not to try it again, since drinking too much vinegar can irritate your stomach and esophagus. If it doesn't work, just try a different method.
  9. [9] Take a small bag of ice and place it on the skin of your upper stomach, which is near your diaphragm. The cold can cause changes in your circulation and muscle activity in the area, which might stop the hiccups.
    • If your hiccups do not go away within twenty minutes, remove the ice and try a different method. Leaving the ice on too long can cause soreness.
  10. The vagus nerve is related to a number of bodily functions, and stimulating it can help end your hiccups. Try one of these tricks:
    • Let a spoonful of sugar slowly dissolve on your tongue.
    • Eat a spoonful of honey. [10] [11]
    • Stick your fingers in your ear.
    • Sip water (or some other non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage) slowly, letting it hit the roof of your mouth.
  11. Typically, you can cure hiccups with home remedies. However, if your hiccups last longer than two consecutive days and you've tried treating them at home already, it's time to see your doctor.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Distracting Yourself to End Hiccups

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  1. If you have your brain concentrate on a moderately difficult activity, it might stop causing the hiccups. If you have been drinking, you might have to concentrate a little harder, but in this case that might actually help. Try one of these tasks:
    • Count backwards from 100.
    • Say or sing the alphabet backwards
    • Do multiplication problems (4 x 2 = 8; 4 x 5 = 20; 4 x 6 = 24; etc.)
    • Say each letter of the alphabet and a word that begins with that letter
  2. Normally, we don't think about breathing. If you concentrate on it, however, it might help end the hiccups.
    • Try holding your breath and slowly counting to 10. [12]
    • Try inhaling through your nose as slowly and as deeply as you can, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times.
  3. If there is an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in your blood, your brain will focus on this, and the hiccups may stop. You can increase your bloodstream's carbon dioxide level by breathing abnormally:
    • Hold your breath as long as you can [13] [14]
    • Breathe deeply and slowly
    • Blow up a balloon
    • Breathe into a paper bag
  4. You might try bending over as you drink, or drinking from the far side of the glass. [15] Since this is an unusual way to drink, you will have to concentrate not to spill the water. The distraction might help end the hiccups.
    • Make sure that is only water that you are drinking and not alcohol, which can cause hiccups.
  5. [16] Being frightened is a good way to take you mind off of something, including hiccups. If you are really scared by something, your brain might focus on that rather than the hiccup reflex. For this to work, you will need a friend to help—ask them to leap out of the darkness or jump around a corner when you least expect it.
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      Tips

      • When all else fails, just be patient. Many bouts of hiccups will go away in a few minutes. [17] If you have hiccups for more than 48 hours, however, contact your doctor for professional help. [18]
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      • You can help prevent hiccups by not eating and drinking too fast. When you consume food and drink too fast, air can be trapped between bites and gulps, and many experts believe this can cause hiccups.
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      • Alcohol can irritate the esophagus and stomach, so you can also help prevent hiccups simply by not drinking too much.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try putting a spoonful of sugar underneath your tongue.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8491309/
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2868032/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3504071/
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17672-hiccups
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8491309/
      6. ↑ https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/runny-nose-stuffy-nose-sneezing/
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3325297/
      8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25775370/
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000265.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tm6590spec%3C/ref%3E%20#*Tickle%20the%20roof%20of%20your%20mouth%20with%20a%20cotton%20swab .
      2. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hiccups
      3. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tm6590spec
      4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/hiccups.html
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035062/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114667/
      7. ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/when-are-hiccups-serious
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17672-hiccups
      9. ↑ https://ufhealth.org/hiccups

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of hiccups when you're drunk, try holding your breath for as long as you can. Then, take a few deep breaths. This will restrict your diaphragm and will help stop hiccups. You might need to try it a few times before they stop. Alternatively, sit with your knees pulled into your chest to compress your diaphragm. You can also drink a glass of water quickly, which will engage your abdominal muscles and can help stop your hiccups. Another thing you can try is pinching the top of your nose. This puts pressure on your blood vessels and can help stop your hiccups. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to stop hiccups using ice, read on!

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        Mar 25, 2017

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