• Question: What are hiccups?

    Asked by Thomas to Nitheen, James, George, Francesca, Ahmed on 17 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Francesca Paradisi

      Francesca Paradisi answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Technically it’s a contraction of the diaphragm that you can’t control. It seems to be linked with ingesting a lot of air (say you eat very fast) and it’s a way of the body to get rid of the air in the stomach. It’s very annoying but useful!

    • Photo: Ahmed Osman

      Ahmed Osman answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Hi Tomas
      thanks for this brilliant question
      A hiccup, medically known as SDF (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter) or singultus, is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm which occurs at the same time as a contraction of the voice box (larynx) and total closure of the glottis, effectively blocking air intake. The glottis is the middle part of the larynx, where the vocal cords are located.

      hope it is clear
      thanks
      Ahmed

    • Photo: James Sullivan

      James Sullivan answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Hey Thomas, you can get rid of hiccups by overloading your nervous system – getting a fright, or pressing hard on your palm is supposed to do this.

      This doesn’t answer your question – but Ahmed and Francesca have done this.

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