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How Does a Hiccup Occur?

How Does a Hiccup Occur? thumbnail
How Does a Hiccup Occur?

  1. What are They?

    • An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm is called a hiccup. The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle located below the ribs separating the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. The abrupt rush of air causes the esphogus to close, causing the common "hic" sound of hiccups.

    Exterior Causes

    • Hiccups can be caused by eating or drinking too much or too quickly. The stomach becomes distended and irritates the diaphragm. Hiccups can also be triggered by taking in a large amount of air from smoke inhalation, sobbing, laughing hard, or drinking an excessive amount of alcohol.

    Interior Causes

    • Hiccups will sometimes occur due to a disturbance in the nerve pathways from the brain to the muscles involved. This could explain why hiccups do occur, in some people, due to temperature changes or emotional situations. It could also be the reason that you can "scare" the hiccups out of somebody.

    Problems

    • Long-lasting hiccups could signify a problem in the brain, spinal cord, or any of the many structures located around the diaphragm or chest wall. The American Cancer Society reports that 30 percent of chemotherapy patients suffer from hiccups as a side effect of treatment.

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  • Photo Credit Illustration by Shirley Thompson

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