ELI5: What causes hiccups?

Context: Health 63 views Feb 23, 2026 2 min read

Imagine your tummy and chest are separated by a big muscle called the diaphragm. It helps you breathe.

Sometimes, this diaphragm gets a little irritated and starts to spasm, which means it contracts suddenly and unexpectedly. This spasm pulls air into your throat really quickly.

At the top of your throat, you have a special door called the vocal cords (where your voice comes from). When that air rushes in suddenly, this door slams shut to protect your lungs.

That slam makes the "hic" sound we all know!

So, what makes the diaphragm irritated? Lots of things!

  • Eating too fast: Swallowing air while you eat.
  • Drinking fizzy drinks: The bubbles can stretch your tummy.
  • Feeling excited or stressed: Emotions can affect your body.
  • Changes in temperature: Like drinking something very hot or very cold.
  • Certain medical conditions: (Rare)
Think of it like a tiny little glitch in your breathing system. Usually, hiccups go away on their own pretty quickly. There are lots of tricks to try and stop them, like holding your breath or drinking water upside down! These tricks try to calm down your diaphragm. If hiccups last a very long time, you might need to see a doctor, but usually they're just a funny little thing that happens to everyone.

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