- A hiccup is the result of a spasm in the diaphragm that occurs several times a minute. It is usually the result of air rushing into the lungs while the back flap of the tongue (the epiglottis) tries to close. A hiccup is an involuntary action.
- Eating too much, drinking carbonated beverages, drinking through a straw, chewing gum and swallowing air can cause hiccups. Some illnesses such as epilepsy, diabetes, a skull fracture, a bowel obstruction, meningitis, tuberculosis and ulcerative colitis can also cause hiccups.
- Most hiccups resolve themselves without any help or intervention. Chronic hiccups may need medical attention. Many home remedies exist to speed up the duration of hiccups.
- If a person can stop a hiccup right way, chances are they are in the clear. If a person hiccups more than seven times in row, chances are that they will last a while. While experiencing a bout of the hiccups, a person will hiccup 63 times or more.
- There is no real benefit to hiccuping and why we hiccup remains a mystery, as hiccups serve no function. Hiccups are simply an accidental reflex triggered by an outside stimulus.
- Some home remedies for hiccups include taking a gulp of water, tilting back your head, pinching your nose and swallowing the water. Some people eat a tablespoon of peanut butter, force a burp as they hiccup or swallow a spoonful of sugar with a dash of vinegar to try and stop hiccups.
previous post
next post