November 5, 2009
A surefire way to get rid of hiccups
I think I learned this trick at Girl Scout camp, but I don’t really remember. All I know is it is the only way I can ever get rid of hiccups — forget about a spoonful of sugar, being scared, or holding your breath. Have a drink of water upside down!
It’s a little tough to document this with pictures when you are the only in the house with opposable thumbs (the cats were not much help), but here is my best attempt.
First, pour yourself a glass of water.
Then, put your mouth on the rim opposite the side close to your body, so your chin is sort of in the glass and your nose is on the outside of the far rim. (I once said to someone, “Drink out of the other side” and they just turned the glass around.)
Bend over at the waist, holding the glass normally.
Once you’ve bent over, tip the bottom of the glass toward your body and pivot your head to the floor until the water level reaches your mouth. Go slowly so you don’t get any water up your nose — the first time you try this, you might just take a small sip. Take a couple of swallows of water and I promise you’ll be hiccup-free!
