What causes hiccups?

Answer 1

If u eat something hard to digest, your stomach starts quashing itself, and that air goes all the way up to ur mouth... that causes hiccups

Answer 2

"Hic!" You've just hiccuped for what seems like the tenth time since you finished your big dinner. Wonder where these funny noises are coming from? The part to blame is your diaphragm (say: die-uh-fram). This is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your chest, and all hiccups start here.

The diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When you exhale, it pushes up to help push air out of the lungs. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. When the air rushing in hits your voice box, you're left with a big hiccup.

Some things that irritate the diaphragm are eating too quickly or too much, an irritation in the stomach or the throat, or feeling nervous or excited. Almost all cases of the hiccups last only a few minutes. Some cases of the hiccups can last for days or weeks, but this is very unusual, and it's usually a sign of another medical problem.

You've probably heard lots of suggestions for how to get rid of hiccups, and maybe you've even tried a few. Holding your breath and counting to 10 is one way some people can get rid of their hiccups. Other people say that drinking from the "wrong" side of a glass of water is the way to become hiccup-free.

Putting sugar under your tongue might work, too. And maybe the most famous treatment - having someone jump out and scare you when you're not expecting it - helps some people wave good-bye to their hiccups. Boo!

Answer 3

The diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When you exhale, it pushes up to help push air out of the lungs. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. When the air rushing in hits your voice box, you're left with a big hiccup.

Some things that irritate the diaphragm are eating too quickly or too much, an irritation in the stomach or the throat, or feeling nervous or excited. Almost all cases of the hiccups last only a few minutes. Some cases of the hiccups can last for days or weeks, but this is very unusual, and it's usually a sign of another medical problem

Answer 4

It is a spasm of the diaphragm. It is sometimes caused by irritation of the nerve that controls it. There are various 'cures' for it,, some of which involve taking a very deep breath.. this moves the diaphragm way down,, and then holding it for a few seconds,, and then relaxing... this can be repeated . Sometimes taking a deep breath and then drinking a glass of water to fill the stomach and while holding the breath. This puts pressure on both sides of the diaphragm. Somtimes relaxing the whole body by sitting in a chair or lieing down relaxes the diaphragm also.

Answer 5

A hiccup or hiccough (generally pronounced "HICK-up" independent of the spelling) is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm; typically this repeats several times a minute. The sudden rush of air into the lungs causes the glottis to close, creating the "hic" noise.

Answer 6

I heard you get hiccups if you don't yawn enough. Strange but that's what I heard.

Answer 7

http://www.drugstore.com/qxa1792_333181_sespider-what_causes_hiccups_and_how_can_i_get_rid_of_them.htm

" Chewing on a Lemon, or Orange peel, will abort hiccups! :)

Answer 8

it's a spasm of the diaphragm take a mouthful of water hold it in your mouth bend forward and put your head lower than your stomach then swallow if needed repeat don't think you will need to

Answer 9

Contractions in the diaphragm muscle.

Answer 10

when you swallow too much air it gives you hiccups