Question
My child has been crying and not eating much lately. What should I do when my baby gets hiccups?
Answer
Hiccups, medically referred to as ‘hiccup,’ are involuntary intermittent contractions of the diaphragm. When air is suddenly inhaled into the respiratory tract, it is accompanied by a sudden closure of the glottis during the inspiratory phase, resulting in a distinctive short, sharp sound. Continuous contractions of the diaphragm reduce intrathoracic pressure, causing discomfort in the chest. Healthy individuals may experience hiccups when stimulated mentally or when swallowing dry food rapidly with little water intake, but they often resolve on their own.