DR. JI i there, Dr. Jim here from Blue Shield of California. You’ve probably had hiccups before. BO ’m Bob. I’m friends with this guy. And YES. I get hiccups way too often. DR. JI iccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm muscle in your abdominal cavity. As you’re taking a breath, the spasm causes your vocal chords to suddenly close, which makes the hiccup sound. BO had hiccups last night, actually. DR. JI iccups can be caused by drinking fizzy drinks or swallowing air and in most cases are caused by having an overly full stomach, say from eating, or drinking too much alcohol. BO did both of those things last night. It was taco Monday. It got pretty wild. DR. JI hat’s pretty aggressive for a Monday, Bob. Anyway, hiccups should only last a few minutes or hours and go away on their own. BO on’t judge. I drank a glass of water upside-down. It got in my nose. I thought I was going to die. DR. JI better way to get rid of hiccups is to hold your breath for several seconds or longer or try breathing out against your closed mouth and nose, like how you’d pop your ears in an airplane. BO ou should come out with me sometime Dr. Dave. You have a lot of useful knowledge. DR. JI aybe next time Bob. BO looks at camera and smiles) DR. JI looks and camera, shakes head and mouths “NO”)