Why do people hiccup?

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) Another theory gently circulating segments of the medical community is that hiccups could be how the brain trains the lungs to breath in utero and if this is the case one could then come to the conclusion that the hiccup is a genetic tool deeply embedded withing dna structure.

Purpose

One possible beneficial effect of hiccups is to dislodge large chunks of food, which have become stuck in the esophagus, or which are traveling too slowly. When a large piece of food is swallowed, which the natural peristalsis of the esophagus is unable to move quickly into the stomach, it applies pressure on the phrenic nerve, invoking the hiccup reflex. This causes the diaphragm to contract, creating a vacuum in the thoracic cavity, which creates a region of low pressure on the side of the lump of food nearest the stomach, and a region of high pressure on the side of the lump of food nearest the mouth. This pressure differential across the food creates a force, which assists peristalsis. In humans, gravity partially assists peristalsis, but in quadrupeds and many marine vertebrates, their oesophagi run roughly perpendicular to the force of gravity, so that gravity provides little assistance. The hiccup mechanism likely evolved as an aid to peristalsis in our ancestors. It only now appears to offer little benefit, because humans are upright, so that gravity assists peristalsis, making it very unlikely for food to become lodged in the oesophagus.

Ultrasounds have also shown that unborn children experience hiccups. Some suggested hypotheses include hiccups as a possible muscle exercise for the child's respiratory system prior to birth or as a preventive measure to keep amniotic fluid from entering the lungs[1]. More research is required to ascertain their true nature, origins, and purpose, if any.

[edit] Medical treatment

Ordinary hiccups are cured easily with no medical practices needed; in most cases they can be stopped simply by sitting down and concentrating on breathing patterns (deep breaths) for 1–2 minutes. However there are a number of anecdotally prescribed methods to treat casual cases of hiccups, these include being startled, drinking water while upside down, holding one's breath until feeling faint, eating something very sweet or very tart (particularly lemon juice) [2], anything that interrupts ones breathing, and a variety of other treatments. Hiccups are treated medically only in severe and persistent (termed "intractable") cases. Haloperidol (Haldol, an anti-psychotic and sedative), metoclopramide (Reglan, a gastrointestinal stimulant), and chlorpromazine (Thorazine, an anti-psychotic with strong sedative effects) are used in cases of intractable hiccups. In severe or resistant cases, baclofen (an anti-spasmodic) is sometimes required to suppress hiccups. Effective treatment with sedatives often requires a dose that either renders the person unconscious or highly lethargic. Hence, medicating singultus is done short-term and is not a situation where the affected individual could continue with normal life activities while taking the medication.

Persistent and intractable hiccups due to electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, hyponatremia) may benefit from drinking a carbonated beverage containing salt to balance out the potassium-sodium levels in the nervous system. The carbonation promotes quicker absorption.

Dr. Bryan R. Payne, a neurosurgeon at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, had some success with an experimental new procedure in which a vagus nerve stimulator is implanted in the upper chest of patients with an intractable case of hiccups. "It sends rhythmic bursts of electricity to the brain by way of the vagus nerve, which passes through the neck. The Food and Drug Administration approved the vagus nerve stimulator in 1997 as a way to control seizures in some patients with epilepsy. In 2005, the agency endorsed the use of the stimulator as a treatment of last resort for people with severe depression" [3].

In 2006, Francis Fesmire of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine received an Ig Nobel prize for medicine after he published "Termination of intractable hiccups with digital rectal massage" in 1988.[1] In an attempt to block the runaway messages on the vagus nerve, Fesmire found that the stimulation of the vagus nerve by digital rectal massage worked, stopping the patients bout of hiccupping. Fesmire also commented "An orgasm results in incredible stimulation of the vagus nerve. From now on, I will be recommending sex – culminating with orgasm – as the cure-all for intractable hiccups.", so perhaps this is a more efficient and desirable cure for intractable hiccups.[4]

Answer 2

Hiccups are from the diaphram spasming. When the diaphram spasms it causes the hiccups and if you hold your breathe and expand the lungs it will more than likely stop them. The medical term for hiccups 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.

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" 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) Another theory gently circulating segments of the medical community is that hiccups could be how the brain trains the lungs to breath in utero and if this is the case one could then come to the conclusion that the hiccup is a genetic tool deeply embedded within DNA structure.

One possible beneficial effect of hiccups is to dislodge large chunks of food, which have become stuck in the esophagus, or which are traveling too slowly.

Ordinary hiccups are cured easily with no medical practices needed; in most cases they can be stopped simply by sitting down and concentrating on breathing patterns (deep breaths) for 1–2 minutes.

Answer 4

sometimes the diaphragm twitches, causing a sudden intake of air,which interrupts ur closing throat and that is the "hic" sound.
P.S the diaphragm is supposed to moved up and down to help ur lungs get air.
Methods to stop it:Pinch ur nose and drink a few sips of water.

Answer 5

When the diapharm rises we hiccup.

Answer 6

Involuntary reaction to a perceived threat. Maybe nitrogen build up in the lungs ?

Answer 7

gastric problems once you solve the root of the problem its done. Specially if you take this new drug purple pill that its in all walmarts dont remembe rthe name.

Answer 8

air in the gut , happens when you eat too quckley