What is the best way to get rid of hiccups?
It is a question that everyone has probably grappled with at some point in their lives.
For Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney, it is especially important as developing hiccups has become a “big thing” for his children.
“When my daughter gets hiccups, it’s like she has received some really bad news,” he told The Hard Shoulder.
“She really needs to find a solution to it - it’s a massive issue.”
For some people, it can certainly be a “massive issue” and the HSE recommends that people contact their GP if they continue for longer than two days.
Simon’s daughter is a “big believer” in the “fright method” and that is now her father’s job when she develops then.
For people who do not have someone on hand to frighten them, there are alternatives.
“One of the things on the HSE website is to swallow some granulated sugar,” Simon said.
“The other one is to take a teaspoon of vinegar.
“[There’s also] to breathe into a paper bag - that’s a classic.
“What you’re doing there is to build up a concentration of carbon dioxide in your blood flow - that will apparently inhibit spasms of the diaphragm.”
For those who do not like the sound of any of those ideas, the HSE has a few other suggestions.
“Pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward,” Simon said.
“Bite on a lemon - that’s, of course, similar to the vinegar one.”
Typically, hiccups go away after a few minutes without any medical treatment and are harmless.
They can be triggered by eating and drinking or strong emotions - such as excitement or stress.
Main image: A woman with hiccups. Picture by: Alamy.com
