Hiccough:Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, themusclethat separates thechestfrom theabdomen, suddenly contracts. When that happens, air is takenin, and then thevoice boxcloses shut, which is what causes the "hic" sound. There are different types of hiccups, named after how long they last:
A "regular" bout of hiccups can last up to 48 hours
"Persistent hiccups" last longer than 48 hours and up to a month
"Intractablehiccups" last longer than a month
In most cases, hiccups go away on their own with no lasting effects. But in some people, they can last a long time and lead to problems such as poor nutrition, tiredness, and reduced appetite.
