2006-12-08 09:09:54 · 10 answers · asked by Mad Eng 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
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 (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!
2006-12-08 09:18:59 · answer #1 · answered by Ashleigh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small part of wind comes out of your mouth and for some reason you hiccup
2006-12-08 09:14:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND HOLD FOR 10 SECONDS. HICCUPS ARE DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN TO BRAIN
2006-12-08 09:13:06 · answer #3 · answered by cece 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no purpose, it is an involuntary movement of the diaphragm
which pushes air up and out.
2006-12-08 09:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by Lou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why also can you months without having them, then 6 times in one day? why not once a week lol, spread them out a bit
2006-12-08 09:23:58 · answer #5 · answered by button moon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's not really a 'purpose', it's the diaphragm spasming.
2006-12-08 09:18:54 · answer #6 · answered by Louise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have a physiologic purpose, I have never heard of it.
2006-12-08 09:13:23 · answer #7 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Iwish i knew i had them for two hours last night
2006-12-08 09:12:32 · answer #8 · answered by TINYTI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea but that is the one thing that really pees me off .. something you have that you cannot get rid off
2006-12-08 09:19:24 · answer #9 · answered by toon_tigger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dunno, but to get rid, drink a pint of cold water with a knife in it! It works! HONEST, try it, if they go, i get 10 points!
DEAL?
2006-12-08 09:13:12 · answer #10 · answered by Welshchick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋