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A hiccup is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm; typically this repeats several times a minute until some home remedy is applied. The sudden rush of air into the lungs causes the glottis to close, creating the "hic" noise. It is sometimes written as hiccough, though this spelling is becoming archaic.

The causes of hiccups are unknown, but they can sometimes be brought on by eating quickly, taking a cold drink while eating a hot meal, eating very hot or spicy food, laughing vigorously or coughing.

The term hiccup is also used to describe a small and unrepeated aberration in an otherwise consistent pattern.


Home remedies

The following are some commonly suggested home remedies, though none have medical backing.

    * Swallowing three times while holding one's breath
    * Distraction from one's hiccup, e.g. being startled or asked a perplexing question.
    * Breathing into a paper bag.
    * Eating peanut butter.
    * Concentration on one's hiccup.
    * Inserting one's thumbs in one's ears, closing one's nose with one's index fingers, and drinking a glass of water.
    * Drinking a glass of water in several small sips.
    * Drinking a glass of water upside-down.
    * Drinking a glass of water with another's palms against one's ears.
    * Drinking a glass of a carbonated beverage (with salt).
    * Eating a tablespoon of sugar or honey.
    * Eating a teaspoon of Lingonberry jam.
    * Eating a large dose of Wasabi
    * Eating generally.
    * Gulping down a glass of water while holding one's breath (ever tried breathing and drinking simultaneously?).
    * Holding one's breath while optionally squeezing one's stomach.
    * Tilting one's head back, extending one's right arm out, and flexing it at the elbow repeatedly.
    * Urinating while drinking a glass of water.
    * Drinking a glass of water several times successively.
    * Breathing deeply through the nose, then exhaling slowly through the mouth.
    * Drinking vinegar.
    * Swallowing sugar while keeping it as dry as possible
    * Squeezing the tip of the right pinky finger
    * Hanging upside down while holding your breath. The combination of gravity pulling on your diaphram and not breathing seems to have a unique effect on the ailment.
    * Exhaling all the air from one's lungs and and holding one's breath while swallowing water or saliva.


Ability to stop hiccupping at will

A few people have the ability to stop hiccupping by simply choosing to do so. This brings up intriguing relationships regarding voluntary control of various body functions -- for example ear wiggling.