What cuases hiccups?

Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. These spasms cause the vocal cords to snap shut, producing the characteristic "hic" sound.

There are many different things that can trigger hiccups, including:

* Eating or drinking too quickly

* Drinking carbonated beverages

* Smoking

* Chewing gum

* Talking too much

* Laughing too hard

* Being nervous or excited

* Having a cold or the flu

* Certain medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia

In most cases, hiccups are harmless and will go away on their own within a few minutes. However, if you have hiccups that last for more than 48 hours, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.