The Mad Scientist Club Tackles Hiccups

By Sharon K. Solomon

Remember when Owen got hiccups near the stinky stream in The Something’s Fishy Mystery? Not long after confronting a major polluter at Jackson City Hall, Owen began to wonder why this happened.

He asked the track team doctor at his next checkup. Dr. Fromkin explained, “Your diaphragm is a muscle between your lungs and your stomach.” He pointed to a chart on the wall to show where it was. “When something irritates your diaphragm, Owen, it causes it to spasm. Those spasms are called hiccups.

“It only happened when we were near the polluted pond and creek. It had a horrible odor. When we went back, we wore masks. Even then, I got hiccups until we got close to home.”

Dr. Fromkin went on, “You can eat something that bothers you or eat too fast, maybe drink soda. That can set it off.”

“I wasn’t eating, Doctor F,” Owen said.

“Sometimes we get anxious. It can even be environmental.”

“That explains it!” Owen said. “It only happened near the polluted water.”

“That’s a simple fix,” Dr. F. said. “Some people get hiccups for hours or days. Can you imagine?”

“So, as a Mad Scientist, I wonder how to get rid of them.”

“If it’s certain foods or sodas, avoid them. If it’s environmental, leave the area that is offending your diaphragm.”

“Any other cures?”

“Holding your breath for a minute may help relax the diaphragm. Some people breathe into a paper bag. Don’t use plastic!”

Owen nodded. “Any other solutions for hiccups?”

“Some people take deep breaths or gargle with plain water. You can even lay down and pull your knees up to your chest. This puts a little pressure on your diaphragm”

“Thanks, Doctor F. I’ll have to tell this to Sam. Abby and Emma. The rest of the Mad Scientist Club. We like to collect data and find solutions to problems.”

You can read more about the Mad Scientists in The Pencil That Wouldn’t Die, The Case of the Lost Locket, or The Something’s Fishy Mystery, published by Newhouse Creative Group. Join The Mad Scientist Club with new stories from the MSC and friends, exciting science games, new audio adventures from Rockhound, merchandise, and more!