Why do I get hiccups?

Hiccups jump out because your chest squeezes. Air pops in fast. Your mouth says “hic!” It stops by itself soon.

You get hiccups when a muscle inside your chest gives a sudden squeeze. Air rushes in quickly, and your throat snaps shut, making the “hic” sound. It is like a door bumping closed when a breeze pushes it. Eating too fast, laughing hard, or a fizzy drink can start them.

You get hiccups when your diaphragm gets twitchy. The diaphragm is a big muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe. If it suddenly squeezes, air rushes into your throat. Then your vocal cords, the little flaps that help make your voice, snap shut. That makes the “hic!” sound. It can happen after eating fast, drinking fizzy drinks, swallowing air, or laughing hard. Fun fact: babies can hiccup before they are born!