A hiccup, also called a hiccough or singultus, is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden consumption of breath. It’s typically accompanied by a attribute sound, which is brought on by the sudden closure of the vocal cords. Hiccups will be brought on by a wide range of components, together with consuming too shortly, ingesting carbonated drinks, or being nervous. They’re often innocent and can go away on their very own inside a couple of minutes.
In some circumstances, hiccups could be a signal of a extra critical medical situation, equivalent to gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) or a hiatal hernia. When you’ve got persistent hiccups that don’t go away on their very own, it is very important see a health care provider to rule out any underlying medical situations.
