What are Hiccups? Why do we Hiccup? How to get rid of Hiccups

Main Category: Ear, Nose and Throat
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 24 Jun 2004 - 15:00 PDT


Hiccups are paroxysmal, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that occur along with contractions of the larynx and closure of the glottis, arresting the inflow of air. Hiccups are commonly induced by minor stomach upsets. Occasionally, hiccups may be ascribed to psychogenic causes originating in the mind. Mild cases of hiccups usually disappear without treatment. {Microsoft Encarta}

Hiccups are the result of an action the body takes to protect itself. Hiccups can start because hot food has irritated the phrenic nerve near the esophagus, or when gas in the stomach presses upward against the diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the chest from the stomach. The diaphragm tightens and pulls air into the lungs.

But air can't get through and we feel a "bump" at the moment the air is stopped. So hiccups are a reflex action of the body trying to get food or gas out of the stomach, thereby irritating the diaphragm. This in turn, affects the passage of air in and out of the lungs. We feel this as a "bump" and say we have the hiccups.
{The Big Book Of Tell Me Why, by Arkady Leokum}

Anything that causes irritation of and compression around the diaphragm can cause the condition. Hiccups usually disappear within minutes. Only in rare cases do they persist for hours and require medical attention. Most often, stimulation of the phrenic nerve, which begins at the brain and leads to the diaphragm via the esophagus, brings on attacks of hiccups. Culprits are likely to be breathing in too much air at once, rapid swallowing, alcohol, or stress.
{San Antonio Express News, June 25, 1995}

Hiccups occur when the diaphragm and the muscles between the ribs suddenly contract. This causes a sharp, uncontrollable inhalation of air, which does not reach the lungs because the muscle spasm has closed the windpipe. Hiccups usually occur repeatedly in short spasms lasting a few minutes.
{Marvels of the Human Body, Reader's Digest Book of Facts}

Anything that causes irritation of and compression around the diaphragm can cause hiccups. Alcohol is likely to be one of the culprits.
{San Antonio Express News, June 25, 1995}

How to get rid of hiccups

Ordinary hiccups are cured easily without medical intervention; in most cases they can be stopped simply by forgetting about them. However, there are a number of anecdotal treatments for casual cases of hiccups. Some of the more common home remedies include giving the afflicted a fright or shock, drinking water (sometimes in an unorthodox manner), and altering one's breathing. Very rarely, hiccups may become severe enough to require medical treatment.
{Wikipedia}

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