• Question: Why do you get hiccups and what actually are they????

    Asked by clare to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by frezza, boomitsgeorgia.
    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @clare

      I said something about this in answering another question (http://ias.im/58.3453).

      Hiccups are caused by an involuntary contraction (spasm) of the diaphragm (the sheet of muscle that lies under the rib cage). I think lots of things can trigger this, including spicy foods and fizzy drinks, but I don’t think anyone knows the exact cause.

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @clare

      I hate hiccups! I once saw a TV show about a man who had had hiccups for literally years. Wouldn’t that be awful!

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