A hiccup or hiccough (generally pronounced "HICK-up" (IPA: /ˈhɪ.kəp/) 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. A bout of hiccups generally resolves by itself, although many home remedies are in circulation to shorten the duration, and medication is occasionally necessary. By extension, the term "hiccup" is also used to describe a small and unrepeated aberration in an otherwise consistent pattern. The medical term is singultus.
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.
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 ani
2006-09-07 12:44:26
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Hiccups arise from various causes, most commonly overdistention of the stomach. Gastric irritation, nerve spasms, and various metabolic disturbances may also cause hiccups. A wide variety of folk remedies are used to stop hiccups by interrupting the rhythm of the diaphragm spasms; the most common and effective treatment is to hold one's breath for as long as possible. Regardless of treatment, hiccups usually stop within minutes, although they may persist for days or weeks, and there have been isolated reports of hiccups continuing for several years. Prolonged severe hiccups are treated by surgically crushing the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm.
2006-09-08 02:40:52
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answer #2
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answered by Britannica Knowledge 3
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A hiccup or hiccough (oftentimes reported "HICK-cup" (IPA: [?h?.k?p]) autonomous of the spelling) is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm; oftentimes this repeats numerous circumstances a minute. The surprising rush of air into the lungs motives the glottis to close, coming up the "hic" hear (help·information) noise. A bout of hiccups oftentimes resolves with the help of itself, besides the very undeniable reality that many homestead cures are in stream to shorten the period, and medicine is often times mandatory. with the help of extension, the time period "hiccup" is likewise used to describe a small and unrepeated aberration in an in the different case consistent progression. The clinical time period is singultus. even as many situations improve spontaneously, hiccups are time-honored to toughen typically specially circumstances, which incorporates ingesting too immediately, taking a chilly drink even as ingesting a warm meal, ingesting very warm or really spiced nutrients, giggling vigorously or coughing, ingesting an extra of an alcoholic beverage, or electrolyte imbalance. Hiccups may be brought about with the help of stress to the phrenic nerve with the help of different anatomical platforms, or hardly ever with the help of tumors and particular kidney disease. that's asserted that 30% of chemotherapy sufferers wade through singultus as a part result to remedy. (American maximum cancers Society) it remains uncertain to scientists precisely why hiccups take position, really because it would not look to provide us any particular benefit. some hypothesis exists that hiccups are a remnant of a actual function that has been phased out with the help of evolution, which incorporates the bypass from aquatic gilled creatures to land animals. Ultrasounds have also shown that unborn fetuses adventure hiccups. some stated hypotheses comprise hiccups as a attainable muscle workout for the youngster's respiratory device previous to start or as a preventive degree to shop amniotic fluid from getting into the lungs[a million]. more desirable study is had to ensure their authentic nature, origins, and objective, if any.
2016-11-25 19:49:04
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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Hiccups or Hiccoughs are caused by a sudden, involuntary spasm in the diaphragm. As far as I know, the actual cause of the diaphragm's spasms are unknown, but perhaps Wikipedia would help you with that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiccoughs
2006-09-07 12:54:50
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answer #4
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answered by Lady 2
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diaphragmatic movment causes hiccups, anything thats causes irritation to it or its never supply( vagal nerve) initiate hiccups
2006-09-07 21:39:59
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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The diaphragm starts expanding/contracting in opposite cycles as your breathing/lungs.
2006-09-07 12:39:45
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answer #6
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answered by Newlungs2004 4
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It is caused by an on/off spasm of the diaphragm.
2006-09-07 13:26:51
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answer #7
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answered by froggie 4
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An air bubble gets in your lungs and then your breathin gets off track
2006-09-07 12:44:35
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answer #8
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answered by Marissa R 2
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involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles
2006-09-07 12:42:50
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answer #9
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answered by ptery 5
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diaphram and heart beat were off key.
2006-09-09 18:10:05
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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