It's funny how nobody teaches kids how to breathe. People go through life thinking that you take a deep breath by using your diaphragm to distend (make larger) your lungs and chest. Then they wonder why they suck air into their stomachs, causing gas and hiccups.

Hiccups are caused by improper breathing (which is caused by stress which, in turn, is caused by life and/or bipolar disorder). To prevent or cure hiccups, take deep breaths, but not with your diaphragm. Use your abdominal muscles to distend your abdomen, not your diaphragm (which distends your chest). Concentrate on getting your abdominal muscles to pull your lungs downward as far as possible, making them large enough to hold lots of air. Make your breaths as deep as you can. If you do this, you will want to breathe in a more slow and relaxed way as well, and you will swallow less air. 

But if your diaphragm wants to suck some air into your chest once in a while, that's fine. It's called sighing.

Back to Psychogenic Symptoms                                                                  Back To Home Page