
Ordinary hiccups (hiccough) last only a few minutes and are no cause for concern. However, if this attack is prolonged and severe, do not wait until it has caused exhaustion and anxiety, consult to doctor who may prescribe a sedative.
Hiccups can be caused by eating or drinking to quick, by disorders of the digestive tract and respiratory system, and by nervous tension.
The number of cures for hiccups is legion. For most hiccups, that are normally mild, possible remedies include taking a serious of deep breaths, pulling the tongue, to induce swallowing, inducing sneezing with pepper, drinking a glass of water slowly or from the far side of the glass, and breathing into a paper bag held closely about the face for no longer than a minute or two. The use of a paper bag increases the carbon dioxide content of the air breathed in so that the lungs work harder in order to get more oxygen. Often this deeper breathing regulates the contractions of the diaphragm.