Why do we get hic-ups?

Answer 1

Physiologically: It is a spasm in your diaphragm.

If you can control that spasm, you can get rid of hiccups.
This involves breathing in and out extremely slowly, so that it takes about 30 seconds to breathe in then 30 seconds to breathe out. You have to really control your breathing very steady.

Answer 2

A hiccup involves the coordinated action of the diaphragm and the muscles that close off the windpipe (trachea). The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle separating the chest and abdomen, normally responsible for expanding the chest cavity for inhalation. Sensation from the diaphragm travels to the spinal cord through the phrenic nerve and the vagus nerve, which pass through the chest cavity and the neck. Within the spinal cord, nerve fibers from the brain monitor sensory information and adjust the outgoing messages that control contraction. These messages travel along the phrenic nerve.

Irritation of any of the nerves involved in this loop can cause the diaphragm to undergo involuntary contraction, or spasm, pulling air into the lungs. When this occurs, it triggers a reflex in the throat muscles. Less than a tenth of a second afterward, the trachea is closed off, making the characteristic "hic" sound.

Causes and symptoms

Hiccups can be caused by central nervous system disorders, injury or irritation to the phrenic and vagus nerves, and toxic or metabolic disorders affecting the central or peripheral nervous systems. They may be of unknown cause or may be a symptom of psychological stress. Hiccups often occur after drinking carbonated beverages or alcohol. They may also follow overeating or rapid temperature changes.

Answer 3

A hiccup or hiccough (generally pronounced "HICK-cup" (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" listen (help·info) 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, drinking an excess of an alcoholic beverage, or electrolyte imbalance. Hiccups may be caused by pressure to the phrenic nerve by other anatomical structures, or rarely by tumors and certain kidney disease. It is reported that 30% of chemotherapy patients suffer singultus as a side effect to treatment. (American Cancer Society)

Answer 4

I'm not lecturing! Another thing, is to never trust a first opinion. If you ask people face to face, about what they advise you should do, then don't ever take their first answer, especially if it included no thought. Now, I have thought this out, and although others think it's gross, sticking your finger down your throat works, sometimes better than everything else. I would reommend you hold two fingers in the centre of your throat, just near your tonsills, then keep them there until seconds before you're going to throw up. Quickly remove your fingers, and then puke into a bucket or something, which I advise you have near you. Tie back any loose hair, wear old clothes just incase, and everything should work out OK. Try it :)

Answer 5

Hiccups are due to the spasm of Diaphragm.

Hiccups may develops spontaneously or 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, drinking an excess of an alcoholic beverage, or electrolyte imbalance.

Basically, it is a protective reflex. to dislodge large chunks of food, which have become stuck in the oesophagus, or which are traveling too slowly. When a large piece of food is swallowed, which the natural peristalsis of the oesophagus is unable to move quickly into the stomach, it applies pressure on the phrenic nerve, invoking the hiccup reflex.

Answer 6

it is an aggrivation of your diaphram (the smoothe muscle group at the base of the lungs)...causing involuntary spasms know as hic-ups...there are several causes including, food allergy, oo much alcohol, too much food or drink, extended exerction...some scientists are still baffled as to why this condition occurs or if its actual function...humans are not the only animal to get hic-ups...most mammals are known to suffer from this odd muscular enigma

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do we get hic-ups?

Answer 8

Hiccups are caused by a sudden jerk in your diaphragm that causes you to breathe in air very quickly.

The diaphragm is the muscle in your chest that is located just below your lungs. When you breathe in, the air travels in your mouth and nose, through your windpipe and into your lungs. When your diaphragm jerks and you suck in air very quickly, the quick air flow causes the flap at the top of your windpipe to snap shut. This quick inflow of air and the snapping shut of the flap on your windpipe is the sound of hiccups.

Answer 9

Expelling Co2

Answer 10

Because we do not breathe enough oxygen to the brain or we swallow something wrong I get them when I eat pretzels.