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Article: Hiccups.
- Article from:
- U.S. Kids
- Article date:
- December 1, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 Children's Better Health Institute. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Hic! Hic! Hic!
Where do those funny little noises come from when you have the hiccups? To find out, let's take a closer look at what happens when you have the hiccups.
Beneath your lungs is a large muscle called the diaphragm (DIE-uh-fram). When this muscle tightens up slowly, it causes your lungs to fill with air. You take a deep breath.
A hiccup occurs when this muscle tightens very quickly. Air rushes into the lungs.
All that air rushing down your throat makes the vocal cords snap shut. This causes the "hic" sound.
You can get the hiccups if you eat or drink too fast, get excited, or even if you're just tired. You can also ...