Why Do We Hiccup?
Why Do We Hiccup?
Most of us have experienced hiccups, an uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing, but usually short-lived experience. But sometimes hiccups persist for a long period of time and can be a sign of serious underlying disease.
What Are Hiccups?
Hiccups are bursts of inspiratory (breathing in) activity. The muscles we use when we take in a breath are the intercostal muscles situated between the ribs, and the diaphragm - a sheet of muscle below the lungs.
Most simple cases of hiccups come after eating or drinking too much or too quickly. The stomach, which is situated right below the diaphragm, becomes distended and irritates it. This will cause the diaphragm to contract, as it does when we breathe in.
Sometimes hiccups will occur because of a disturbance to the nerve pathways from the brain to the muscles involved. This explains why hiccups may occur with temperature changes or emotional situations. It is also the reason that a sudden shock can sometimes abolish an attack.
Persistent hiccups may signify problems in the brain, spinal cord or any of the structures around the diaphragm or chest wall.
Other related articles
What are Hiccups?
Everyone has their own pet remedy for curing hiccups. Simply holding your breath is often effective. Breathing into a paper bag, the best remedy, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the lungs, relaxing the diaphragm and halting the spasms.
Practical Solutions to common hiccups:
1. best way
posted by katmeow on 5 Nov 2010 at 3:47 pm
Ok... I went through everything in the book that said how to get rid of hiccups and nothing ever worked. Then a friend of mine told me o drink a glass of water through a paper towel.. just place the paper towel over the top of the glass and drink.. IT ACCUALLY WORKS!!! I was shocked but it never fails me! Works everytime.. good luck
2. Instant solution for my hiccups
posted by Tia on 21 Jan 2011 at 7:53 pm
I Put a little bit of sugar in my mouth then drink water it works instantly every time
Reasons why we HICCUP.
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