HICCUPS

Hiccups are a reflex action; which means that we do not have any control over them. Hiccups are a sudden, involuntary squeezing of the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle under the lungs, which results in sucking the air quickly into the lungs thereby snapping and shutting glottis above the voice-box (larynx). This snapping makes the sound of a hiccup. Hiccups will usually stop on their own. Continuous hiccups lasting for more than a day or two may indicate a cause of an underlying disease, which needs medical intervention.

Common Causes of Hiccups

• Stretching of the stomach after eating or drinking 

• Sudden emotional excitement

• Sudden change of air temperature (eg. cool shower)

• Very hot/cold food or drink

• Alcohol or excess smoking

• Heartburn or acid reflux

Other serious conditions may include: 

• Irritation of the diaphragm by infection

• Hiatus hernia 

• Brain infection or tumour 

• Severe kidney failure 

• Infections such as malaria

• Multiple sclerosis
  
  
  

Tip 1:

1 tsp of sugar sucked on will relieve hiccups.