• Question: What causes us to hiccup?

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      Asked by to Kate, Kieren, Nicola, Rowena, Roy on 14 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
      • Photo: Kate Nicholson

        Kate Nicholson answered on 14 Mar 2014:

        Involuntary muscle spasms, once again thought (only a theory because we’re not so sure on this one) to be because there isn’t enough oxygen getting to the bottom parts of our lungs. I’m hoping someone else will have a better answer to this one because it’s one that’s always bugged me too!

      • Photo: Rowena Fletcher-Wood

        Rowena Fletcher-Wood answered on 14 Mar 2014:

        I only know a bit – involuntary muscle spasms in the diaphragm caused by not getting enough oxygen which is why it often happens when you eat and drink. Its a kind of shock response when the body panics because of this oxygen lack. In terms of why it would be useful for it to hiccup at this time – I have no idea. Probably because it is a shock response there isn’t a good reason for it: we do a lot of silly things when we are stressed or frightened!

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