Hiccups are something all of us experience not on a daily basis, but quite frequently. It could go on for a few seconds to several minutes. It is not necessarily harmless. But in few people hiccups can be bothersome as they constantly experience hiccups that might be interrupting their daily life. Have you ever wondered why you frequent hiccups when eating? Is there a specific link to it? We will help you break down.

What are hiccups?

A hiccup is a repeated, reflex action in breathing that doesn’t serve any useful purpose. It happens when the diaphragm, a muscle that helps us breathe, suddenly and involuntarily tightens, pulling in a quick breath. Right after, the glottis (the area of the throat where the vocal cords are) closes, stopping the breath in its tracks. This sudden stop makes the breath hit the closed glottis, creating the familiar “hic” sound. People have been calling this action a “hiccup” for about 500 years.