There are plenty of old wives’ tales about what to do in order to stop hiccups. But, an actual doctor has now revealed a scientifically proven method that’s a bit NSFW.
Dr Karan Raj, who goes by the username @dr.karanr on TikTok, is an NHS doctor who has racked up a huge TikTok and Instagram following for his medical videos.
In one clip, he revealed that you can cure hiccups by digital rectal massage and explained the science behind it.
As he spoke, the background displayed images of scientific papers that have proven the discovery.
First, he explained the cause of hiccups, saying: “Hiccups are caused by erratic electrical impulses in the vagus nerve.”
The image on the screen depicted a human figure and demonstrated the path the vagus nerve runs through the body.
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Then, he explained why rectal massage can cure hiccups, saying: “Rectal massage stimulates the vagus nerve which is part of the parasympathetic nervous system.
“Increased stimulation of the vagus nerve helps to control the diaphragm and then terminates the hiccups.”
Dr Raj then posted an image of the doctor who first tested out the idea – Dr Francis Fesmire.
When a patient came to Dr Fesmire after having been hiccuping around 30 times a minute for 72 hours.
He remembered reading about an association between rectal massage and the slowing of the heartbeat. Dr Fesmire tried it on the hiccuping patient and it worked.
Dr Raj ended the clip with: “I guess you could say, what happens in the vagus nerve stays in the vagus nerve.”
Good to know in case being frightened or holding your breath don’t work.
