Struggling with Hiccups? A Doctor May Have Found the Cure

We’ve all been there—suddenly struck by an uncontrollable case of the hiccups. They’re often more annoying than anything else, and once they start, getting rid of them can feel impossible. But one Wisconsin doctor thinks he’s cracked the code for stopping hiccups in their tracks.

What Are Hiccups?

Despite how common hiccups are, science still hasn’t pinned down their exact cause. They can begin as early as in the womb, where some researchers believe they serve as a kind of “practice” for the nervous and muscular systems before birth.

“It may be the nervous system and muscle system just practicing before they put on a big show at birth,” explains Dr. Stephen Stacy, a physician with the Mayo Clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Dr. Stacy is one of the few researchers dedicated to understanding hiccups. Together with his residents, he’s been asking the age-old question: Is there a cure for hiccups?

The Discovery: A Simple Breathing Technique

Dr. Stacy and his team recently conducted a study to identify a reliable way to stop hiccups—and they believe they’ve found the answer.

“We tried it on a lot of people, and it worked for all of them,” Dr. Stacy shared with CBS News.

The secret? Controlling your diaphragm and increasing the acid level in your body. Here’s how to try it:

1. Take a deep breath in.

2. Keep your throat open as if you’re about to talk, but don’t speak—just breathe in.

3. Hold your breath while keeping your throat open.

4. After about 30 seconds, slowly exhale while still keeping your throat open.

This simple breathing trick, which focuses on controlling the diaphragm, has proven highly effective in Dr. Stacy’s research.

Another Handy Hack

If the breathing technique doesn’t appeal to you, Dr. Stacy has another tip: chugging a glass of water without pausing for air. While it may sound like an old wives’ tale, it’s another method that might just work when hiccups strike.

Why Don’t We Know More About Hiccups?

One of the challenges in researching hiccups is their unpredictable nature. “We don’t know what triggers hiccups, and research is tricky because you have to catch people in the act,” says Dr. Stacy. His team was able to study hiccups by observing patients in their clinic who happened to have them at the time.

Why This Matters

Hiccups are usually harmless, but for some people, they can be chronic and even interfere with daily life. Discovering a reliable cure could make a big difference for those who suffer from prolonged episodes.

As Dr. Stacy puts it, “People need to know about this.”

So the next time hiccups hit, try these tips. They might just help you stop them for good!

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