Just had hiccups.... what causes them??

[nat_84]

Just a thought... what causes hiccups...?

And why do people say that if someone scares you randomly, your hiccups will dissapear??

[China Doll]

Trapped air isn't it Nat? That's why you make people jump or focus on a silly task cause it means they either let the air out or get their breathing back to normal.

At least that's what I think it is but no doubt some well informed person will come with the correct scientific answer!

[nat_84]

hmmm... well that certainly makes sense.

But trapped air.... that's why people fart and burp too isnt it?

SO whats the difference?

Must be where the air gets trapped...?

[tradey]

you know what,i had them the other week when i was out my friend said she will get me a cup of water and give it to me,she held the cup and i drank it all well the bloody things went.you get them as well if you eat too quickly too

[China Doll]

I thought people farted cause they needed the toilet?

Could be to do with where the airs trapped.... I'm sure someone will come up with the answer!

[nat_84]

lol... i was always crap in science... shouldve listened now!!

oh the things we regret...

About the water ... Didnt people also use to say that you should drink water and hold you nose....?? to get rid of them?

[Champagne]

Isn't it to do with inhaling to deep and too suddenly which then causes your diaphragm to go into spasms? I thought that was it, but then I know that so many things can cause hiccups (e.g. eating too fast, fizzy drinks, over-excitement, cold showers). I'm not sure if all of these would cause you to inhale too deep and too suddenly. Hmm....

[4getmenot]

Lots of things can cause hiccups http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cno teShowLfts.asp?fname=02313&title=HICCUPS+&cid= HTHLTH

[Champagne]

What I mean is, I definitely know that the actual hiccup is your diaphragm muscles going into spasm. What actually causes the hiccup to start could be anything! I only ever get them when very, very drunk. :o}

[The Tree]

Champagne i think you are right.i do believe it is the diaphragm going into spasms.as to what causes it i am not sure.

[Supernick]

Basically no-one knows what hiccups are for, as they serve no useful purpose as far as scientists can tell. They're spasms of the diaphragm, and can be caused by loads of things, notably eating to fast.

[ugly_bob]

... and the reason a fright / drinking out of the wrong side of a glass etc etc works is because it makes you concentrate on something else.

[nat_84]

but when i have hiccups... i dont concentrate on them....

[OBonio]

Isn't it to do with the phrenic nerve?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenic_nerve

As a side, my dad had hiccups for 2 weeks once. Had to be put on valium to stop them!

[butterfly23]

Not sure what causes hiccups, but you can get rid of them by holding your fingers in your ears, and getting someone else to hold a glass of water for you to drink. You'll need to gulp the water down quite quickly though.

[Supernick]

Pressure on the phrenic nerve can lead to diaphragm contractions (hiccups), but no-one has a clue whether they serve any purpose or not