An age old problem

A troubled reader asks for relief

I have the hiccups, what should I do?

Jul 23rd, 2008

4 lacklustre pieces of inspiration on “An age old problem”

  1. Consultant G Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am

    Get rid of them.

  2. Consultant C Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    Sage advice, G, sage advice. I have a potential route to your proposed solution lurking in my memories of international travel…

    I met a Philipino barman, name of Sonny, in Greenland. He told me a cure for hiccups which worked on everyone that tried it. It’s a little complicated and you need an extra pair of hands.

    Aquire a moderately sized glass of water
    Get a willing accomplice to firmly cover your ears with their hands - they should try to make an airtight seal
    Hold your (own) nose with one hand, again making an airtight seal
    Drink the whole glass of water using the other hand
    Release nose and ears

    All being well, your hiccups will be cured.

  3. Consultant G Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks C. Obviously, as a disclaimer, we have to state that we do not recommend these remedies, and we cannot be held responsible for any damage to health or death that arises from your using them.

    The method i use is a simplified version of many such complicated approaches. I find that swallowing (generally water) just as a hiccup ‘comes up’ works. It may take several swallows to get the timing correct, but if you do, it works well. I dare say swallowing a whole glass of water in multiple gulps works on the same principle. However, the approach i use does not need a whole glass of liquid, not another persons hands.

    Now, get back to work !

  4. Constultant K Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

    I always go for the “in through the nose and out through the mouth” approach (keep that constant even through the hiccups) and keep that for about 2 mins. Does not require an assistant and also does not require any equipment.

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