what makes a person hiccup?

Question

why does a person hiccup and what makes a person hiccup?

Answer 1

contraction of your diaphragm which is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your chest, and hiccups start there.

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 2

Irritation of the diaphragm. Can be caused by eating too much or too fast, nervousness, stomach or throat irritation. Diaphragm will pull down in a jerking type motion, causing a sudden inhalation of air. When the air hits the voice box, a hiccup is produced.

Answer 3

Causes of Hiccups Hiccups occur frequently, and those episodes lasting only short periods of time may have no apparent underlying cause, or may occur after eating a large meal , drinking alcohol during periods of excitement or due to sudden changes in air temperature. Hiccups which reoccur very frequently, or last for more than 48 hours, may be an indication of an underlying physical problem. Many causes of hiccups have been described, however, often, despite investigation no cause is found. Some of the more common underlying causes of prolonged bouts of hiccups include: 2

Respiratory - e.g. bronchial tumour, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma.
Cardiovascular - e.g. MI, pericarditis, thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Gastrointestinal - e.g. GORD, duodenal ulcers, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease.
Genitourinary - e.g. renal failure, renal tumour, prostate cancer.
Central nervous system-e.g. CVA, malignancy, infection, trauma.
Psychogenic- shock, fear, excitement, attention seeking behaviour.
Irritation of the diaphragm- e.g. subphrenic abscess, hiatus hernia.
Vagus nerve irritation- e.g. tumours, goitre, pharyhngitis, meningitis, glaucoma.
After surgery- e.g. gastric stasis, direct irritation of the nerve, hyperextension of the neck.
Metabolic -e.g. uraemia , hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, hypo/hyperglycaemia.
Drug induced - e.g. dexamethasone, benzodiazepines.

Pat
Lymphedema People
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com

Answer 4

A hiccup is caused by a random muscle spasm in the epiglottus (throat flap that separates the windpipe from the esophagus).

Answer 5

A spasm of the diaphragm resulting in a rapid, involuntary inhalation that is stopped by the sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a sharp, distinctive sound.

Answer 6

It's a muscle spasm in the diaphragm, the muscle under the lungs which helps you breathe.

Answer 7

a stomach virus