• Question: Why do we hiccup? :(

    Asked by annaclare to Aled, Ellie, Fiona, Kev, Willem on 12 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Aled Roberts

      Aled Roberts answered on 12 Mar 2014:

      Hi annaclare!

      Just above your stomach is a large thin muscle that separates your chest cavity form your abdomen. When this involuntary contracts (tightens like a muscle in your arm) it causes you to take a big breath into your lungs! This air can sometimes be stopped between your vocal cords which produce the hiccup sound!

      Most of the time we hiccup for no apparent reason what so ever! However shock, excitement, and pressure can cause them.

      Hope that helps 🙂

    • Photo: Willem Heijltjes

      Willem Heijltjes answered on 12 Mar 2014:

      I get the hiccups after eating really spicy food… don’t know why 😉

    • Photo: Fiona Heesen

      Fiona Heesen answered on 12 Mar 2014:

      Hi annaclare,

      I always get hiccups when I eat or drink too fast – never a good thing!

      Fiona

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