There are many old wives’ tales claiming to have the cure for hiccups. From holding your breath, drinking water upside down or getting a fright, people have tried many ways to rid themselves of hiccups, but none have ever been proven to work.
Scientists have now developed what they claim to be a guaranteed way to cure the spasm – caused by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles suddenly contracting – and it comes in the form of a $14 plastic straw.
The "forced inspiratory suction and swallow tool" (Fisst), or HiccAway, as it's patented, is a solid, L-shaped device that has a mouthpiece at one end and an adjustable cap with a small pressure valve at the other.
When someone has hiccups, they simply place the device into a glass of water and sup through it.
This sipping motion, with the added pressure valve, engages the phrenic nerve to trigger a contraction of the diaphragm, while swallowing engages the vagus nerve, which are both needed for the body to hiccup.
The idea behind the Fisst is that, by keeping both nerves busy, the body is unable to produce hiccups.
“It works instantly and the effect stays for several hours,” said Dr Ali Seifi, associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Centre, co-author of a study into the device.
The study used 249 volunteers from around the world, the majority of whom said they suffered from hiccups at least once a month.
The results of the study, published in the Jama Network Open journal, found that the device stopped hiccups in 92 per cent of cases, with more than 90 per cent of participants saying they found it much more convenient than home remedies used before.
Authors found the results to be consistent across all participants, regardless of demographics, hiccup frequencies or hiccup durations.
However, the report relied on self-assessment by participants via an online survey, which places some limitations on results.
“Many home remedies consist of physical manoeuvres designed to stimulate contraction of the diaphragm and/or closure of the epiglottis. These manoeuvres lack clear, standardised instructions and can be cumbersome to perform, and there are few, if any, scientific studies of their effectiveness,” the study states.
"Fisst is an easy-to-use tool to relieve transient hiccups. The sample of participants who responded to the online questionnaire associated the device with superior results compared with home remedies. Future studies will need to assess the efficacy of Fisst in randomised clinical trials."
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
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