why do we get hick ups?

Answer 1

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 2

When you hiccup, your diaphragm involuntarily contracts. (The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen). This contraction of the diaphragm then causes an immediate and brief closure of the vocal cords, which produces the characteristic sound of a hiccup. What actually causes the hiccup is difficult to say - in most instances, there is no obvious cause.Attacks of the hiccups seem to be associated with a few different things: eating or drinking too fast; being nervous or excited; or having irritation in the stomach and/or throat.
Hope this helps!!!!

Answer 3

It can be caused by 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.

It 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 4

I'll bet this gets to be question of the day!

I don't have a medical explanation but I think its a muscle having a spasm...the diaphram under your lungs...has a "twitch". Have you ever had your eye suddenly start twitching for no reason? Or sometimes just a muscle in your arm will start shaking and you show your friends and laugh because you can't control it?

I think it is a spasm. I found from personal experience that I can stop hiccups from eating a spoon full of honey. I can't explain how it works but will be looking for more scientific answers than mine on this site.

Answer 5

they are contraction of the esophagus, usually caused by lack of air. Try breathing deeply. They can also be caused by a serious problem, like an erosion . My husband had hiccups for 3 weeks once. He ended up having an ulcer high in the esophagas, a little nexium, and it was healed and the hiccups went away.

Answer 6

An overflow of air inside escapes through the nearest possible exit.

Answer 7

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of your diaphragm. (diaphragm is a muscle at your lower ribs that pushes your lungs in and out so you breath).

Deep, concrentrated breathing and drinking water can help ease them.

Answer 8

Irritation of the nerve to the diaphragm

Answer 9

It's when the muscles of the diaphragm get out of sync with our breathing pattern.

Answer 10

From a diaghram spasm