The primary, internationally accepted spelling in both American and British English. Origin: Folk etymology.
While a brief bout of hiccups is harmless, hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are classified as , and those lasting over a month are called intractable .
A sudden noisy stopping of the breath happens when the nerves that control the diaphragm—the phrenic nerves—get irritated. Common causes include: Swallowing air or overfilling the stomach. A sudden noisy stopping of the breath happens
: Almost immediately after the diaphragm spasms, the glottis (the opening between your vocal cords) snaps shut.
But more simply:
Osborne’s hiccups started after an accident while hanging a 350-pound hog. Initially, he hiccupped up to 40 times per minute, a rate that later slowed to around 20 times per minute. Over 68 years, it’s estimated he hiccupped roughly . Despite this extraordinary affliction, Osborne was able to live a relatively normal life, raising a family and working as a farmer, proving just how resilient the human body can be.
, it’s time to call a doctor. Long-term hiccups can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical issue involving the nerves or digestive system. But more simply: Osborne’s hiccups started after an
: Swallowing excess air (aerophagia) distends the stomach, which sits directly beneath the diaphragm.