HICCUPS
Why do we get hiccups?
MAYANK BAJPAI, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
For hiccups, we have to blame our diaphragm. This is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of our chest assisting us to breath in and breath out. The diaphragm almost always works perfectly.
When we inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and air flows out of the lungs back out through the nose and mouth.
But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes us suck air into our throat suddenly. When the air rushing in hits the voice box, the vocal cords close suddenly and we are left with a big hiccup. Some things that irritate the diaphragm are eating too quickly or too much, an irritation in the stomach or the throat, or feeling nervous or excited.
ADVERTISEMENT
Almost all cases of hiccups last only a few minutes. Some cases of the hiccups can last for days or even months, but this is very unusual and it's usually a sign of some other medical problem.
RASHMI JAIN, Greater Noida
THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS
Why does a mosquito get infected by Zika virus while it is unharmed by HIV and other deadly viruses?
Alagu Santhosh A., Srivilliputtur Tamil Nadu,
Why are we able to get only FM radio channels in mobile phones and not AM or Short Wave radio channels?
T.N. Samarao, Thiruninravur, Tamil Nadu
What drives bugs towards a light ?
Green Gautham
Chemical manure urea and urine sound similar. Has urea got any relevance to urine? If so, can urine be a manure for plants?
V.K. Prahlada Rao, Bengaluru
Why do we put a thermometer under our tongue while measuring body temperature?
Sahil Bansal, Punjab
In case of brain death, does blood circulation continue to the brain? What causes the heart to beat in the case of brain death?
P.R. Natarajan, Chennai
Readers may send their questions/answers to questioncorner@thehindu.co.in