They might be embarrassing and inconvenient but hiccups are comparatively short-lived. As soon as you inhale sharply for the first time, it’s only a matter of seconds before the onslaught begins–the first hiccup is followed by another one and another one, and before you know it, it’s been a good few minutes of you feeling absolutely miserable.

Sometimes, hiccups can go on for long periods and it almost seems like nothing is working. Before you lose hope and feel like giving up, here are some home remedies that can go a long way in fighting hiccups.

As soon as you inhale sharply for the first time, it’s only a matter of seconds before the hiccup onslaught begins

Sniffing Strong Smells

There’s a reason why some people sniff on some salt when they have a case of the hiccups. Inhaling the smell of a strong scent can instantly make you feel better and in such instances, food items such as vinegar and lemon wedges can work wonders.

Spinning Around While Holding Your Breath

In case spinning around makes you dizzy, you can try singing a song for this next tip. For this one to work, you need to spin around in a counter-clockwise direction while pinching your nose and holding your breath.

In case spinning around makes you dizzy, you can try singing a song to keep your mind occupied

Drinking Water While Laying on The Floor

Lie on the floor and place a glass of water in front of you. It’s important to keep drinking until your hiccups stop. In case your glass has emptied but the hiccups still haven't stipped, you can repeat the procedure after refilling the glass.

Pressing Your Tongue on The Roof of Your Mouth

It is believed that hiccups are caused by irritation or damage to your vagus nerve. Massaging your tongue on the roof of your mouth stimulates this nerve and ends the spasm on your diaphragm.

It is believed that hiccups are caused by irritation or damage to your vagus nerve

Coughing or Burping

One more trick that is worth giving a try is coughing or burping. Doing so constricts and releases your diaphragm and also disrupts your breathing pattern to hopefully get rid of hiccups.

Sticking Your Tongue Out

It might seem a little ‘out there’ but in order to stimulate the vagus nerve, one can also try sticking out there tongue. One thing of note is that in order to effectively reduce the spasm on your diaphragm, it is important to stick your tongue out as hard as you possibly can.