9 Astonishing Facts About Hiccups That Will Surprise And Inform You

A hiccup is an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm followed by the closure of the vocal cords. This motion produces the 'hic' sound hiccups make. There are many triggers that are thought to be the cause of hiccups, including coughing; eating rapidly; pairing carbonated beverages with spicy foods; laughing; and even having serious medical conditions, such as a stroke or kidney failure. Although hiccups are common, they remain a mystery to many people. Here are nine surprising facts about the hiccups.

What To Do If Hiccups Last More Than 48 Hours

Reader's Digest

There may be a cause for concern if hiccups last longer than two days. In these cases, medications or other underlying medical issues may be the cause of the hiccups. This condition is known as persistent or protracted hiccups; hiccups that last for more than a month, in comparison, are known as intractable hiccups. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom recommends seeing a doctor or health professional if hiccups last for more than forty-eight hours. This is important for determining if medical treatment is required. Approximately eighty percent of those who experience hiccups for longer than forty-eight hours have an underlying medical cause. The other twenty percent may have psychological issues, such as anxiety.

The Many Causes Of Hiccups

Science ABC

Hiccups can be caused by many different factors, some of which are avoidable. Some hiccups are the result of lifestyle choices or seemingly normal activities. For example, eating rapidly and overeating have long been associated with short cases of the hiccups. The same is true of shock, stress, excitement, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Longer-term causes of hiccups include diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, and respiratory distress. Even within the same individual, distinct cases of the hiccups may be caused by different underlying factors.