by Brandy Stinnett

Created on: December 13, 2006   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

If you are like the rest of us, at one time or another you have been plagued by an unrelenting case of hiccups. You hold your breath until you are bordering on the land of Nod, and still the pesky affliction refuses to go away. What is one to do? I'm glad you asked. Here is a list of remedies that should make you fit for an evening of karaoke, or any other activity requiring optimal use of lung capacity, in no time.

1. Hold your breath. This one is easily the most recognized and widely practiced hiccup remedy in existence.

2. Eat a tablespoon full of sugar.

3. Breath repeatedly in a paper bag. Take your time with this one. Breath too vigorously and you are in danger of hyperventilation. Remember to take a break as well. You wouldn't want to forget to have a little oxygen with all that carbon dioxide.

4. Drink a glass of cold water. This is a good one. I find it is most effective when you combine it with tip number one.

5. Supposedly drinking from the opposite side of your cup will help. Personally I fail to see the logic in this, but on the off chance it may work I will include it as well.

6. A lot has been said about the usefulness of pressure points in relief of common ailments. Apparently the one for hiccups is located in the lobe of the ear. Just give your ear a tight pinch and wait thirty to sixty seconds. Another method would be to take the index and middle finger of each hand and massage slow circles in the hollows behind your ears. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Repeat for five breaths.

7. If you have apple cider vinegar you can take a shot. One should do. Bottoms up.

8. A friend of mine swears by a tablespoon full of mustard or peanut butter. Just not together.

9. Citric acid is said to be a wonder worker too. Eat a slice of orange. Drink a glass of lemonade (freshly squeezed). Take a tablet of vitamin C. Basically if it contains citric acid, you are good to go.

10. Then there is the one that is a favorite to many and vilified by a few. That would be having your hiccups startled out of you. Have a friend jump out at you when you aren't expecting it, watch a good scary movie, or open up your electric bill. Whatever gets your adrenaline pumping should do the trick.

These are just ten of the most and least known tricks of the hiccup trade. Hopefully one will work for you next time you are unable to finish your sentences uninterrupted.

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