What to do if you have hiccups

Hiccups, also known as erratic, were called "retching" before the Tang Dynasty. It is a common symptom of an irritated digestive tract. It is an involuntary pounding sound emitted from the throat. It is a short and frequent sound that cannot be controlled.

Why do people get hiccups?

The main reason why people get hiccups is that the external or self-induced stimulation causes the diaphragm to contract abnormally strongly, resulting in a sudden intake of air into the trachea and the closing of the vocal cords, so that an eruptive sound is made. Chinese medicine believes that hiccups are mostly caused by unclean diet, emotional and mental disorders, and deficiency of positive qi, etc. The main pathogenesis of hiccups is the loss of harmony and descent of the stomach and the unfavorable qi flow between the diaphragm.

Zanzhu point for hiccups

The Zanzhu point can disperse wind and calm spasms, and is very effective in treating hiccups with finger pressure. Use the middle fingers of both hands to press the Zanzhu point in the medial recess of both eyebrows, gradually and evenly force the point inward while swallowing, for 2-3 minutes, and feel the soreness and swelling at the point.

Tiantu point for hiccups

The Tiantu point is located in the middle of the upper sternal fossa. When pressing the Tiantu point, bend the thumb, press the nail against the larynx and press the top of the finger against the Tiantu point, applying slight downward pressure and swallowing at the same time, so as to feel a sore and swollen sensation. It is effective in treating hiccups because it has the effect of widening the stomach and lowering the rebellion and regulating qi.

Swallowing method

Use clean chopsticks or sterilized cotton swabs to gently touch the back wall of the patient's throat. When nausea and vomiting occur, remove the chopsticks and ask the patient to shut up and swallow saliva, then touch the back wall of the throat once to make him vomit and swallow saliva, and the hiccups will be relieved.

What to do if your baby has hiccups

You can put the baby's breath in the baby's mouth or ears and gently tickle the baby with your fingers, and the hiccups will usually stop when the baby laughs. Alternatively, you can sit the baby on the adult's lap and press the adult's thumb against the lower end of the baby's hungry sternum at the midpoint of the navel line for about half a minute to a minute to stop the hiccups. The hiccups can be stopped by using external force to stimulate the sensitive part of the diaphragm, which can cause involuntary contraction of the diaphragm.

Tips

Most normal hiccups are mild and short-lived, and can be effectively relieved by the above methods. Some stubborn and persistent hiccups may be caused by diseases, such as encephalopathy and intra-abdominal infections, which require further examination and treatment by a doctor.