what is a hiccup?
Great question! We should all know what these pesky things are and what is happening to our bodies when we hiccup.
A hiccup happens when the diaphragm contracts. The diaphragm is an important muscle in a person’s body, it is below the lungs and controls the person’s breathing. The diaphragm contracts so the lungs can take in oxygen and it relaxes to release carbon dioxide.
When a person has the hiccups, his/her diaphragm is contracting uncontrollably and forcing air into the lungs. The hiccup sound is the sound of your body responding to this unexpected rush of air in the lungs.
People have different ideas of what causes hiccups such as a sudden change in temperature, drinking alcohol or fizzy drinks, eating spicy food, and so on.
People also have different ways of getting rid of hiccups, like holding one’s breath, breathing slowly, drinking a glass of very cold water and even doing a handstand! Luckily, hiccups eventually stop and people can go along with their daily lives.
