HICCUPS DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The teleological explanation tries to see beneficial purpose in a given phenomenon. This jerky inspiratory effort associated with closure of glottis, is opposite of jerky expiratory effort such as sneeze or cough, which are aimed at throwing out foreign material from the lungs.

Conversely; the hiccups appear to be the efforts to jerkily bring in outside air to prevent imminent collapse; in response to any signal that mimics the information of a sudden collapse.

So it appears that, any inflammation, stimulation, or irritation of vagus or phrenic nerves or diaphragm itself; due to any pathology, produce an input akin to an impending sudden collapse, the hiccups are generated.

(I have not come across this; in any research paper, text book or reference book).

Experimental verification therefore; may be done by simulating impending collapse of various degrees and studying qualitative and quantitative the response of body; in terms of hiccups.