Why do I hiccup??

Question

I keep getting hiccups but am not sure what causes them? I get them about 4 times a day and they last about 20 minutes each time. I know its not that much but its really frustrating because I cant control them. Does anybody know what might be causing them. Im a 20 year old female

Answer 1

Irritation of diaphragm

"While many cases develop spontaneously, hiccups are known to develop often in specific situations, such as eating too quickly, taking a cold drink while eating a hot meal, eating very hot or spicy food, laughing vigorously or coughing, or drinking an excess of an alcoholic beverage. Hiccups may be caused by pressure to the phrenic nerve by other anatomical structures, or rarely by tumors."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiccup

Answer 2

It is still unclear to scientists exactly why hiccups occur, particularly because it doesn't seem to give us any specific benefit. Some speculation exists that hiccups are a remnant of a bodily function that has been phased out by evolution, such as the move from aquatic gilled creatures to land animals. More research is required to ascertain their true nature, origins, and purpose, if any.

Answer 3

Hiccups are caused by sudden contractions of the diaphragm. This is the large flat muscle that lies across the body, just below the lungs. At the same time, the glottis (a flap at the top of the windpipe) shuts off the windpipe, causing the ‘hic’ sound.

So I find that if you slowly breathe through your nose & blow out of you mouth, this relaxes your diaphragm, and your hiccups are gone.

You hope!!!

Answer 4

Sometimes, if I eat my food to fast, I will get them but, 4 times a day for 20 minutes each time, sounds like something to see the dr about.

Answer 5

well i wouldn't know what's causing them. maybe you're allergic to something in the air. drinking water in small sips usually helps in getting rid of hiccups (not permanently, just on the occasion).

if it's really irksome, go to a doctor. you never know, it could be serious, though i doubt it.

some people say you hiccup if someone's thinkin about you... a loved one or a friend or someone... in that case, be happy :)

Answer 6

hiccups r actually a convulsion of the diaphragm. thier exact cause in unknown but it is believed to b 1 of 2 things
1 irritaion of diaphragn
2 imbalance in the brain (medula oblongata) this imbalance could b either chemical or neurological

Answer 7

Someone close to me suffers the same condition for longer periods, there is really no known remedy right now but observations have shown that something normally triggers it. So my advice is; watch what you eat and drink to pin down the particular thing that triggers the condition and simply avoid it.

Answer 8

Avoid fizzy drinks!!! I didn't drink cola, etc, for weeks and my hiccups went. I had a drink of cola today and now i can't stop hiccupping!!!

Answer 9

i think hiccups are caused by too much air in your belly, what works for me is a teaspoon of sugar (i wet it slightly and swallow it, works everytime.)

Answer 10

say the name of the person who u think might be remembering u and see how it vamooshes or drink seven sips of water.