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How to Get Rid of Hiccups Instantly: The Sugar Cure & Other Remedies

young girl hiccuping, how to halt the hiccups
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Read on for a surefire remedy for getting rid of hiccups that can strike a person anytime, anywhere. If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of hiccups fast, this simple cure may surprise you.

It’s hard to forget the embarrassment of being attacked by hiccups in a library. From that moment, I vowed to share my no-fail, portable hiccup antidote with everyone I met.

Best Cure for Hiccups

Some hiccups just can’t be stopped by breathing into a paper bag, drinking water fast while holding your nose, or having someone suddenly scare you. 

Fortunately, you can find the ultimate cure for hiccups in a simple bowl of sugar. This remedy has always won many anti-hiccup battles with immediate results:

How to Get Rid of Hiccups Using Sugar

  1. Place one teaspoon of sugar on your tongue.
  2. Gently massage it against the roof of your mouth.
  3. Let it dissolve for several seconds.
  4. Relief usually occurs within moments.
  5. Repeat just once if necessary.

Another nice thing about this cure, aside from how quickly it works, is that it’s portable. You can carry a small, inexpensive packet of sugar almost anywhere to treat hiccups.

Other Home Remedies for Hiccups

If you’d rather avoid sugar, here are some other options folks have suggested:

  • Massage ice cubes against the roof of your mouth.
  • Eat a spoonful of peanut butter.
  • Breathe deeply into a small pillow filled with fragrant pine needles and think peaceful thoughts.
  • Rub one earlobe between your thumb and forefinger.
  • Bite your thumbs and then blow on them.
  • Swallow a spoonful of vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or something spicy hot.

Do you know of another reliable cure for the hiccups?  Please share it below!

What Causes Hiccups

Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm that can be brought on by gulping down your food or carbonated beverages, eating or drinking too much or too quickly, or experiencing strong emotions.

(Usually, hiccups last only a few minutes. If they last for days, see your doctor.)

Although hiccups tend to make a person more tense, it’s really important to try to calm yourself to help them go away. Visualizing the most tranquil place you know of or somewhere from your childhood may help you to relax. Our thoughts often have a powerful effect on our bodies.

Combining the healing power of your mind with your hiccup cure of choice, you can rejoice with, “H’up h’up away… hip hip hooray!”

Natural Remedies

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Ev Gillies</span> Sat, 08/22/2020 - 07:16
I have always just taken a very large breath and held it for 10-15 seconds. Might have to repeat 2-3 times but it is important to stretch out those diaphragm muscles to stop the spasms.
<span>Dyan Kai Thomas</span> Wed, 05/08/2019 - 11:21
Next time someone near gets the hiccups, ask 'what did you have for dinner last night'. The simple task of having to think about the question stops the hiccups. Strange, I know, but I swear by it. Try it, see for yourself. I have even got rid of my own hiccups by asking myself outloud the question, but do admit that I have to ask myself more than once. It is not so much that question has to be asked, but any question will work , but the person must have to think of the answer. No easy questions.
<span>Eli</span> Sun, 05/19/2019 - 22:07
What works to get rid of hiccups in a matter of seconds for me is taking a chewable anti-acid. I usually keep the AlkaSeltzer ones on hand and they work great.
<span>Dena Sweet</span> Fri, 01/25/2019 - 17:31
plug your ears while drinking liquid and keep them plugged and hold your breath till you burp
<span>Ben</span> Tue, 03/28/2017 - 07:42
Nice blog! Swishing mixture of Yogurt & Salt in your mouth is the best home remedies for hiccups.
<span>Sylvia</span> Tue, 11/01/2016 - 14:39
Sipping citrus juice or sucking on a slice of lemon or lime. -- Always works for me. Drinking water from the opposite of the glass while leaning forward also words.
<span>Gwen</span> Wed, 08/24/2016 - 22:37
If someone has the hiccups just walk up to them and ask them to hold their hands out palms up. Look at their face as you hold their hands while you gently rub your thumbs across their palms. This works every time.
<span>Deb Tobey</span> Wed, 08/24/2016 - 20:05
This method has always worked for me. Put a pencil in your mouth and drink a full glass of water. This method changes your breathing pattern, which stops your hiccups. It's always a winning cure for the hiccups in my book.
<span>Helen Weber</span> Fri, 07/22/2016 - 11:57
Simply drink a few sips of water out of the "wrong" side of a glass...in other words lean forward and do it the difficult way. It works for me every time, especially if I don't have an audience. By the way, don't tell a child to do this. Children take everything too literally and are very likely to look at you as if you were mad and then just turn the glass around!
<span>Aj</span> Thu, 08/25/2016 - 07:15
I use the same method and it works every time. Crazy but effective.