by Emily Ramos

Created on: August 25, 2009   Last Updated: August 29, 2009

Anyone who has ever gotten a case of serious hiccups knows how uncomfortable and annoying this ailment can be. Seniors, adults, teens, kids, and babies all get hiccups, or hiccoughs- nobody is immune to this involuntary reflex. While hiccups are not an illness or disease, and they certainly aren't in any way harmful to the body, they can be frustrating to get rid of.

A hiccup is basically the human diaphragm contracting spasmodically at a frequent rate, causing the epiglottis to abruptly close- this produces the hic sound. Nobody really knows what exactly causes hiccups, other than the general diagnosis of irritation to certain nerves in the human body. The carbonation in soda, alcohol, and strength of certain drugs can often bring on a case of severe hiccups. Babies, however, seem to be the most frequent sufferers of hiccups, and do not partake in any of the previous irritants. The true cause of hiccups in infants is currently nothing but pure speculation.

There are a wide variety of time-tested home remedies for adults and older children who suffer from a case of the hiccups. The main root of all of these remedies is altering the breathing pattern, or holding one's breath, as the hiccupping symptom comes from the lungs. Taking a large drink of water, belching, holding one's breath, being frightened or shocked, or eating a large spoonful of peanut butter may all seem like different cures. The fact is, however, all require holding the breath for a certain amount of time, thus changing the method of breathing.

When it comes to finding a hiccup cure for babies that will work, this can be a bit more difficult. Babies certainly can't eat a vast quantity of peanut butter, should never be fed water, and they can't be forced to hold their breath. So what's a worried parent or caregiver to do in this situation? There are two main baby hiccupping remedies that actually work. First, try holding the baby upright with his or her head over your shoulder, and pat the baby's back or bottom firmly but gently, to induce a burp. Repeat as needed if the first burp doesn't work. If burping won't cure the hiccups, try feeding your baby. Nursing or bottle-feeding will cause the infant to hold his or her breath while swallowing, an extremely effective hiccup cure.

Hiccups typically don't last longer than a period of a few minutes, but can seem like forever to the hiccupping sufferer. Any case of the hiccups that lasts longer than an hour in an infant, with no reaction to attempted cures, should be looked at by a medical professional. Long-lasting hiccups may signal a deeper medical problem in a young baby. The vast majority of infants, however, will greatly benefit from these hiccups cures.

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