Why do people get hiccups? What causes them?
613176
Hiccups are a result of spasms of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the dome-shaped respiratory muscle seperating the chest from the abdomen. It aids in breathing by moving up and down, sending air in and out of the lungs. Find a picture to get a better idea of how this works. Hiccups are an involuntary (meaning we don't make them happen or continue to happen, they do so on their own, just like breathing and our heart beating are involuntary) rapid closing of the vocal cord that causes the sound you hear, "hiccup!" Common causes of hiccups include eating too fast, indigestion and laughing a lot, thereby inhaling and exhaling air irratically.
261350
Hiccups are caused by an irritation of the phrenic nerve under the diaphragm.There is an Rx you can ask your doctor about if they are very bothersome.Xylocaine Viscous
195931
hiccups result from involuntary spasms of the diaphragm. success varies depending on the individual's response and the severity of the hiccups.\n\nfor me, nothing helps of these method helps... i just let it happen, it will go away by itslef.
468830
While I have never heard of this particular remedy, it works on a very simple principle.  The reason we hiccup is simply because our diaphragm (the muscle which controls our breathing) is out of sync.  The way the diaphragm works is that when it contracts, it squeezes the lungs, forcing air out, much like squeezing a plastic bag full of air.  When the muscle expands, it pulls on the lungs, causing us to draw air in, like the handle on an air pump pulls on the seal, drawing air into the chamber.  The reason placing your finger under your nose works, is simply that it provides a 'focus', which causes you to draw and exhale your breath steadily, which causes the diaphragm to fall back in sync.  This is the same reason why holding your breath works, if you hold it long enough the diaphragm falls back into sync.  The best way to stop the hiccups, is to just focus on breathing slow, deep breaths at regular intervals.
467891
Hiccups are causes by your diaphragm being in spasm.  So my theory is try to get the diaphragm out of spasm by tweaking it.  Breathe in deeply and expand your chest and push out your stomach muscles.  Hold it for as long as you can, and then repeat.  It does work most of the time.\n\nIf you would a long list of possible solutions please check this link.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiccups
377705
Drink a spoonful of lemon juice.\nthe sour taste shocks your nerves and stops hiccups.
449026
there is a need for more carbon dioxide in the body that's why when you have a hiccup, try to inhale and exhale in a paper bag.
185253
For me, I day-dream on purpose.  When you day-dream you forget about the hiccups, and breathe normal, thus, getting rid of the hiccups.  For anyone who reads this, you really should try this; IT WORKS!
200494
Hiccups are caused from air bubbles.  The best thing to do is to get a teaspoon of peanut butter and put the whole thing in your mouth and work on it and swallow.  Everytime my daughter gets them, that's what I use and as soon as she swallows the first bit, they're gone.
134052
Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic "hiccup" sound. A very full stomach can cause bouts of hiccups that go away on their own. Full stomach can be caused by:\nEating too much too fast. \nDrinking too much alcohol. \nSwallowing too much air. \nSmoking. \nSudden change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage. \nEmotional stress or excitement.
132256
ACTUALLLY, HICCUPS ARE CAUSED BY A SPASM OF YOUR DIAPHRAM. I HAVE NOTICED BEFORE THAT AFTER I DRINK A COKE THAT HICCUPS MAY START BECAUSE OF THE CARBONATION IN THE COKE, SO IT MAY BE A COINCEDENCE.
601547
I know it sounds nuts, but that hiccup trick works for me; where you get a tall cup of water, sit it on the table, and drink from the opposite side of the glass. It may have something to do with the way your air passages are as you drink\n\n\nAlso for hiccups, try a spoonful of peanut butter\n\n\nThe only real hiccup cure is one that treats the hiccups for what they really are. Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm spasming. Taking in as much air as possible, makes the lungs expand and push down on the diaphragm. This stretches the diaphragm out to it original position and shape. Hold the breath as long as possible, just don't pass out, and let it out. Voila', no more hiccups. It works every time. \n\nIf all of the above dont work.. just watch a horror movie or let something scare U.
444909
I can tell you that a hiccup is caused by a spasm in the diaphragm (a muscle that separates your chest region from your abdominal region). As the diaphragm is thrown into spasm the hiccup occurs.\nHope this answers your question!
480247
You've probably experienced a muscle spasm in your leg or arm where your muscle contracts and relaxes uncontrollably.\n\nThe diaphragm is a muscle that controls breathing. When the diaphragm spasms, the opening between your vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound.\n\nThe exact cause of the spasms is not known.
4496
A hiccup or hiccough (generally pronounced "hiccup" 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.\n\nWhile 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, or drinking an excess of an alcoholic beverage. Hiccups may be caused by pressure to the phrenic nerve by other anatomical structures, or rarely by tumors.
234305
Well, easy. Just tickle the person having hiccups for a couple of second. Let him or her laugh out for a while. They will breathe normally afterwards. It works because it loosen up something which I can't remember what in your breathing passage way. A loud laugh will makes it better.\n\nHolding breath does helps but occasionally since some hiccups are too extreme that it is hard for a person to hold his or her breath for even a second or two.\n\nEven drinking water too. Seldom helps. Bottomline, try out these guidelines especially the tickling part.\n\nCheerios.
263671
While standing, hold your breathe, and try to touch your toe and stay in that position as long as you can stand it. \n\nSeveral times until hiccups dissapear. It really works!