Question

Hiccough (hiccup) is due to the activity of
A. Intercostal muscle
B. Food in the air tract
C. Diaphragm
D. Inadequate oxygen in the environment

Answer 1

Hiccup refers to the involuntary action of the muscle which occurs several times per minute. It occurs due to many reasons, one of the common reasons is by swallowing excessive air.

Complete answer: The involuntary contraction of the diaphragm which repeats many times per minute is known as a hiccup. The involuntary action of the hiccup involves a reflex arc. The reflex causes a strong contraction of the diaphragm on the onset of the trigger and follows about a quarter of a second later by closure of the vocal cords, which results in the "hic" sound. Hiccups may occur in bouts or may occur individually. A hiccup consists of a series or a single breathing diaphragm spasms. Therefore, in simple terms hiccup can be stated as a contraction of the diaphragm. Hiccups can be caused by swallowing air excessively, rapid eating, or by consuming carbonated drinks, alcohol, and some spicy food. Kidney failure is also one of the causes of hiccups. If a person has undergone surgery, then damage to the vagus nerve after surgery can also be one of the reasons for hiccups.
So, option C is the correct answer.

Note: In case of chronic hiccups, medical treatment is necessary. Intractable cases of hiccups are treated with the use of a vagus nerve stimulator. Other medications such as haloperidol, metoclopramide, and chlorpromazine are used to treat intractable hiccups. Some superstitious methods are also practised by people such as eating a large spoonful of peanut butter and placing sugar on or under the tongue to get rid of hiccups.