A hiccup, also called a hiccough or singultus, is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden consumption of breath. It’s usually accompanied by a attribute sound, which is attributable to the sudden closure of the vocal cords. Hiccups may be attributable to quite a lot of elements, 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 instances, hiccups generally is a signal of a extra critical medical situation, reminiscent of gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) or a hiatal hernia. If in case you have persistent hiccups that don’t go away on their very own, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out any underlying medical circumstances.
