What Causes Hiccups and How To Get Rid of Them?

Did you know that everyone gets hiccups? Yes, babies, children, and adults. Even fetuses can get hiccups before they are born! But what causes hiccups, and how can you get rid of them?

Hiccuping child covering mouth. What Causes Hiccups and How To Get Rid of Them?

What are hiccups?

Hic! Hic! Hic! Those strange, chirpy sounds are hiccups. Hiccups are often surprising because they happen suddenly and make the middle of your chest twitch.

Although a few hiccups might feel silly, hiccups can get annoying when they stick around too long.

What happens inside your body during hiccups?

diaphragm muscle spasms during hiccups

Normally, your diaphragm muscle moves down when you breathe in air. It goes back up when you breathe out air.

When air goes in and out of your lungs, the vocal cord muscles in your voice box should be open.

During a hiccup, the sudden sound and twitching are caused by a little mix-up in your anatomy.

The diaphragm muscle gets confused.

Your diaphragm muscle gets irritated and jerks down between breaths, making you suck in air. This causes your chest to twitch during a hiccup.

The vocal cords block air.

Suddenly, your vocal cord muscles close to block more air from getting into your airway. This causes your neck to twitch while your vocal cords squeak out a hiccup sound.

voice box open and closed vocal cords during hiccups

Video of hiccups causing sudden twitching

Carefully watch the baby’s neck and chest in this video. Did you notice the sudden neck and chest twitching with each hiccup?

What causes hiccups?

soda triggering hiccups

A lot of different things can trigger hiccups. A common cause of hiccups is swallowing air during activities like:

  • Having a fizzy drink like soda
  • Eating too fast or too much
  • Chewing gum
excited child eating too fast and too much causing hiccups

Since your brain controls your diaphragm muscle, hiccups can also be caused by emotions like:

  • Nervousness
  • Excitement
  • Stress

How can you get rid of hiccups?

No matter the cause of your hiccups, waiting for them to go away can be hard. You might want to get rid of hiccups faster. Can any of these tricks make hiccups go away?

  • Holding your breath
  • Breathing into a paper bag
  • Having someone scare you…Boo!
  • Eating a teaspoon of sugar…Yummy!
  • Drinking from the “wrong” side of the cup…Weird!

SAFETY TIP: Never, ever breathe into a plastic bag! Never! This is extremely dangerous. The bag could block your breathing.

While these tricks might be interesting, none have been proven to stop hiccups. Waiting patiently is the surefire way to make hiccups go away!

How long can hiccups last?

digital timer

Most of the time, hiccups last for a few minutes or an hour. They usually go away on their own.

Very rarely, hiccups can last for a few days, weeks, or months.

When hiccups last longer than usual, doctors might check to see if something is causing the problem. Sometimes, medications can help make stubborn hiccups stop.

Learn more about your amazing body!

Human Body Learning has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on information from peer-reviewed research studies, academic institutions, and medical associations.


Published on August 28, 2022. Updated on January 23, 2024 by Betty Choi, MD

Published on August 28, 2022. Updated on January 23, 2024 by Betty Choi, MD

Dr. Betty Choi pediatrician

Betty Choi, MD

Dr. Betty Choi is a Harvard-trained pediatrician who makes learning fun and doable. She created the kids’ anatomy book Human Body Learning Lab, which Science Magazine recommended as a “notable standout in the genre.”