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Hiccups

Overview

Open all pages about Hiccups

To stop hiccups, it may help to sip ice-cold water, bite on a lemon, taste vinegar or hold your breath for a short time.

It's not always obvious what causes hiccups. Sometimes they're triggered by stress, excitement, eating or drinking.

Most of the time hiccups go away without treatment. Sometimes changing a medicine you’re taking or treating the cause will stop the hiccups.

Hiccups are common and often go away on their own, there are things you can do yourself to help them go away. See a GP if they do not go away.

Page last reviewed: 23/06/2023
Next review due: 23/06/2026