Hiccups - Origin and Treatment
The common hiccup is caused by an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest and abdomen and serves an important part in the body's ability to breathe. As an involuntary contraction occurs, the vocal cords also close suddenly, causing the characteristic “hic” sound. While hiccups are relatively harmless for most individuals and last only a few minutes, some individuals experience hiccups as the result of a more serious underlying medical condition and endure a case of hiccups for several months at a time.
Generally speaking, the characteristic “hic” sound is the only sign of a case of the hiccups. Additionally, hiccups typically present few symptoms; however, common symptoms may include a slight tightening of the chest, a contraction of the abdomen or a narrowing of the throat that occurs as the hiccup is produced. Likewise, an external bodily reaction such as a jumping or moving of the shoulders may occur.
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