Peculiar Hiccups

What exactly are hiccups, and what causes them? Hiccups occur when the diaphragm is irritated. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle separating the chest and stomach region. When functioning normally, the diaphragm pulls down when air in inhaled into the lungs. When exhaling, the diaphragm relaxes, allowing air to flow back out of the mouth and nose. Hiccups erupt by eating food too quickly, drinking too much water, feeling nervousness or excitement, consuming too much alcohol, swallowing too much air, smoking, or sudden temperature changes. The diaphragm becomes irritated under these conditions, therefore causing it to suddenly jerk downwards (almost like a whiplash reaction). This spasm causes inhalation that is abruptly stopped by he closure of the vocal chords, thus creating the "hiccup" sound. Normally, hiccups only last for a few minutes up to a few hours. How are hiccups treated? Most techniques in ridding of hiccups involve increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, stopping the hiccup reaction. Among these remedies include the following: Eating a teaspoon of honey or sugar, breathing repeatedly into a paper bag for a certain amount of time, holding your breath and slowly counting to ten, or quickly drinking a glass of cold water. Persistent or incessant hiccups may require more attention, including a check up by a doctor.