hiccups

Why Hiccups Don’t Stop (Even When You Try Everything)

Written by: Debbie

There’s a moment that happens for many people with hiccups. If you’ve ever wondered why hiccups won’t stop, you’re not alone.

At first, they’re just annoying.
A surprise interruption.

So you try the usual things:
hold your breath…
drink water…
maybe even try a pressure point someone swears by.

Many people searching for answers — even exploring hypnosis to stop hiccups — have already tried everything they can think of.

And sometimes, it works.

But when it doesn’t… something shifts.

The hiccups aren’t just inconvenient anymore — they become exhausting.
Persistent.
Unpredictable.

And the question changes from “How do I stop this?” to
“Why won’t this stop?”

When a Reflex Becomes a Pattern

Hiccups are not random.

They involve a reflex loop between the diaphragm and the nervous system.
A quick, involuntary contraction followed by that familiar “hic” sound.

In most cases, the body resets on its own.

But occasionally, that loop keeps firing — even when there is no longer a clear cause.

It’s as though the body has learned the pattern…
and simply continues repeating it.

Why Common Remedies Sometimes Fail

Many popular techniques aim to interrupt the hiccup reflex:

holding the breath
drinking water in a specific way
stimulating the vagus nerve

These approaches can be helpful, especially for short-term hiccups.

But when the pattern has become established, those methods may only provide temporary relief — or none at all.

Because the issue is no longer just the trigger.

It’s the repetition.

A Different Approach: Calming the System

This is where a different approach may help.

Rather than trying to force the hiccups to stop, hypnosis focuses on the nervous system itself.

By guiding the body into a more settled state, it becomes possible to:

reduce the underlying tension in the system
interrupt the repeating reflex
allow the body to return to its natural rhythm

Many people begin exploring hypnosis to stop hiccups after other methods haven’t worked, especially when the experience has become frustrating or disruptive.

When It’s Time to Look Deeper

If hiccups are:

lasting longer than expected
returning frequently
or interfering with daily life

it may be time to look beyond quick fixes.

Understanding what the body is doing — and why — often opens the door to a more lasting resolution.

A Gentle Next Step

If you’re dealing with persistent hiccups and are curious about this approach, you can learn more about how hypnosis for hiccups may help support the body in resetting its natural patterns.

Sometimes, the solution isn’t about trying harder.

Sometimes… it’s about allowing the body to remember how to stop.

What to Do When Hiccups Won’t Stop for Days

Written by: Debbie

Persistent hiccups diagram showing diaphragm spasm cycle involving the vagus nerve and phrenic nerve.

For individuals dealing with stubborn hiccups that have continued for days or longer, hypnosis is sometimes explored as a way to help reset the diaphragm reflex cycle.

You can read more about how this approach works here:

A Mind-Body Connection

The diaphragm works closely with the nervous system to control breathing and the reflex that produces hiccups. Techniques that promote relaxation and focused attention may help the body settle out of repetitive reflex patterns.

If you’ve been dealing with hiccups for days or weeks, you already know how exhausting and frustrating they can be. Many people contact me after they’ve tried everything else and simply want the reflex to stop.

Hypnosis works by calming the nervous system and helping the body settle out of the diaphragm reflex loop that produces hiccups. Some people find that helping the body relax and interrupt the reflex cycle can bring welcome relief.

Call 727-215-0283 to schedule a consultation

Because persistent hiccups can have many possible causes, it is always important to consult a physician. This applies if hiccups last longer than 48 hours.

After doctors rule out medical causes, some people explore ways to calm the nervous system and interrupt the hiccup reflex. Additionally, they try to interrupt the hiccup cycle.

Final Thoughts

Most hiccups are temporary and harmless. But persistent hiccups can be frustrating and exhausting.

If hiccups continue for days or weeks, seeking medical advice is the first step. After doctors rule out medical causes, some people explore approaches that may help calm the nervous system and reset the hiccup reflex.

If you or someone you know has been dealing with persistent hiccups, learning more about how the hiccup reflex works may be a helpful place to start.

Smiling woman in white sweater, short hair.

IBS Relief

Written by: Debbie

It was just a little more than a year ago that I became known as the Hiccup-notist. That is, I helped a young girl overcome her hiccups of 38 days. The case made international headlines. It resulted in my working with others with similar ailments. I often refer to the individual who had severe, chronic burping for two years solid and another hiccup case, that individual suffered for four years, not to mention work I have done with sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS consists of abnormal changes in the way the gut normally functions, without any detectable structural changes. IBS is diagnosed by physicians based on the symptoms described by the patient, it is one of the most common functional disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. IBS is characterized by symptoms including diarrhea, pain and bloating. The condition can seriously affect sufferers’ quality of life and finding treatment can be difficult, leading many doctors to feel they can do little to help. These symptoms are often intermittent, however they can last for years.

I have taken further training in the area of IBS, there is so much research into the effectiveness of hypnosis for this condition. Hypnosis is one of the most successful treatment approaches for chronic IBS, the response rate to treatment is 80% and better in most published studies to date. Research by Peter Whorwell, Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology in the University of Manchester, Medical School (in the UK) and Director of the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service, has been researching the use of hypnosis for over 20 years. Whorwell is quoted as stating, “IBS is ideal for treatment with hypnosis, as there is no structural damage to the body. During the hypnotherapy, sufferers learn how to influence and gain control of their gut function, and then seem to be able to change the way the brain modulates their gut activity.” This program is done in workshops, including ten one-hour sessions. During the sessions, participants are given an explanation of how the gut works and what causes their symptoms, and then utilizes the healing power of the person’s own mind. The treatment sometimes results in improvement in other symptoms or problems such as migraine or tension headaches, along with the improvement in IBS symptoms. I will be holding workshops starting the end of June. I will post the announcement soon.

Meanwhile, perhaps you recall my mention of Seth-Deborah Roth, the nurse hypnotist I had the great pleasure of meeting in Daytona. It just so happens she came upon an interview with Dr. Mayer of UCLA regarding the body mind connection and pain and IBS! Apparently, Dr. Mayer studied hypnosis in his fellowship. At any rate, here is the link to Seth-Deborah’s blog with a great interview! http://hypnotichealth.blogspot.com/

Secondary Gains

Written by: Debbie

There are times when an individual may seek help for an issue, appear to be trying and yet success alludes them. There are those who reach their desired success quickly, then seem to do a complete 180 degree turn. Why is this?

Perhaps it is due to something called a secondary gain. If your disease allows you to miss days of work or school, illicit sympathy or gain attention, these are some examples of what a secondary gain is. Every behavior we have rewards us in some way or we wouldn’t have that behavior. That’s right, every behavior. Even the negative ones. Therefore, when changes don’t seem to occur, it is time to take a look at what the benefit is.

It is usually said that to suggest you might be taking advantage of others as a result of your suffering is to blame the victim. How can you take any course of action when you are assumed to be unable to help yourself? This allows you to be treated as a victim, removing any responsibility to change your circumstances.

Are you giving yourself permission to act out irresponsibly because you “can’t control yourself”? Going a step further, you can treat others poorly or have power over them if you are the “victim” and they need to conform to your special needs. Perhaps your family all has a similar issue and this allows you to be a part of the clan.

Through hypnosis, we can journey together to discover what the gains are. They are often not something the logical mind would expect. Once discovered, another method of meeting that need can be established. A healthy habit, thought or behavior that will allow you to move beyond the issue towards success. Away from over eating, nail biting, smoking or even the hiccups towards a life of freedom!

A former client with a long term physical ailment came to me hoping for a cure. There had been quite a bit of attention given to her ailment and her attempts at curing it. In my office, she was able to find relief. However, we agreed there needed to be more work done, to allow this to become a permanent change. The siren call of the media attention took hold. The follow up visits were not kept. The relief was sporadic. Perhaps a secondary gain can be seen here.

When you make a commitment to yourself, for change, it is important that you follow through with the entire course of action. You are worth it!