The diaphragm and longitudinal muscles of the stomach play an important role in everyday functions. The diaphragm is responsible for supplying the force behind every breath you take; your longitudinal muscles help stabilize your body when you are...
Deep breathing exercises are often referred to as pranayama in yoga, an ancient system of holistic health. Regular practice of deep breathing exercises can help tone the intercostal muscles, a group of muscles that form the chest wall, and the...
Breathing is an automatic function of the body, but the effects of aging, shallow breathing and disease may negatively effect your ability to get enough oxygen to your body. According to the University of Missouri- Kansas City, "a 20 percent...
Stomach cramps, or side stitches, are caused by a spasm in the diaphragm muscle. The spasm is a result of the simultaneous stretching of the diaphragm from breathing and the organ ligaments from gravity while moving.
Breathing techniques provide a multitude of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, slowing respiration and decreasing tension. Deep breathing improves concentration, increases the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream and can create a...
Your diaphragm is the muscle that separates your abdomen from your chest cavity while acting as the main muscle controlling respiratory activities. With such heavy emphasis on the diaphragm when it comes to breathing, it is no wonder that certain...
Hiccups are episodes of involuntary diaphragm muscle contractions. The "hiccup" sound occurs when the vocal cords rapidly close with the contractions. Typically, hiccup episodes only last for a few minutes. Sometimes, they can persist for months...
Stomach breathing, also referred to as abdominal, belly or diaphragmatic breathing, is a type of breathing pattern that focuses on breathing deeply from the diaphragm, a muscle located below the ribs and above the abdominal muscles. Breathing from...
If you are experiencing aches on the side of your abdomen while running or during brisk walking, you are not alone. Fitness Expert Brad Walker of the Stretching Institutes reports an estimated 70 percent of runners experience cramping -- referred...
While most people associate breathing with what happens in your chest, the movement of your stomach is actually very important for breathing. A muscle below your lungs, called your diaphragm, controls your breathing by expanding into your stomach...
Most of the time, a case of the hiccups is short-lived and not a matter of great concern. This involuntary spasm of the diaphragm muscle can be the result of eating a large meal, drinking carbonated drinks like soda and beer, or from smelling...
The diaphragm muscle, which is located underneath the lungs, usually drops down during inhalation to allow the lungs to expand. It then contracts or pushes upwards when exhaling, to push the air out. However, if the diaphragm becomes irritated,...
The chest cavity, or thoracic cavity, contains and your heart, lungs and your body's major blood vessels and airways. Your rib cage surrounds your chest cavity and shields your heart, lungs and other organs. Muscles around and at the bottom of the...
Diaphragmatic breathing involves using your diaphragm, the large muscle located between your abdomen and chest, to help bring air into the lungs and expel air out of the lungs. It is also called abdominal or abdomen breathing. You may encounter...
A hernia in the stomach--also called a hiatal hernia--occurs when a portion of your stomach pushes up through an opening (the hiatus) in your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that supports your ability to breathe and serves to separate the...
Running can provide a solid cardiovascular workout. It helps strengthen the heart and lungs, and it burns calories to support weight loss. However, it can also place stress and demands on the body. Runners may develop abdominal pain that can be...
Hiccups are common in babies, especially during the first year of life. DrHull.com points out that no one really knows why a baby has hiccups frequently but there are several proposed causes. Treating the hiccups isn't necessary, as they will go...
A hiccup is a strong spasm of the diaphragm, the muscle that goes up and down when you breathe. The muscle spasm causes a sudden intake of air that creates the hiccup sound. Sometimes this sound can be unsettling for parents to hear when it comes...
Potassium is an important mineral, comprising the majority of the positive ions in your cells. It would be difficult for the cells to function without them. Low potassium is most commonly caused by the chronic use of diuretics (water pills);...
Practitioners of yoga believe that when it comes to managing stress and connecting the mind and body, the breath is key. In yoga breathing techniques are called Pranayama. When you take time to focus all of your attention on your breathing, you...
There aren't many joggers who have not experienced aching sides at one point or another. In most cases, the situation is temporary and results from cramping of the diaphragm muscle. This type of pain is referred to as "side stiches" or simply...
If you are exercising and experience lower right quadrant abdominal pain, you might be having a side stitch. Side stitches are common and are experienced by many athletes and people engaged in various types of physical exertion. According to the...
The hiatus is an opening in your diaphragm muscle that allows your food pipe to pass through to your stomach. A hiatal hernia happens when a portion of your stomach pushes up through the hiatus and into your chest, according to Health Services at...
The spleen helps protect the body against infection through the production of red blood cells and removal of damaged blood components or pathogens from the blood. A traumatic injury or certain types of infection, such as mononucleosis, can damage...
Your voice is an instrument, and to use it most effectively, you need excellent breathing technique. Perfect technique takes years of training, but it's based on the simple concept of "supporting" your voice by using the diaphragm muscle in your...
Hiccups are a common condition that affects everyone. They can begin in your baby as early as the first trimester. Hiccups are normal and nothing to be alarmed about, they are rarely a sign of an underlying medical condition. According to...
The digestive system is set up to be a one-direction pathway: certain anatomical structures act as one-way valves along the way. One of these structures--the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES--is located at the end of the esophagus, just before...
The method of correct breathing is simple to learn and can have profound effects on health and stress levels. Correct breathing is also known as "diaphragmatic breathing," because the breathing action comes from the diaphragm, the muscle located...
Deep breathing and coughing keeps the lungs clear of fluid and mucous. Effective breathing comes from the diaphragm, a muscle located below the chest, and your abdomen. Breathing only through your chest is inefficient at clearing the lungs. You...
Hiccups are spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm that typically repeat several times per minute. They are quite common and generally disappear on their own. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of hiccups in this video.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, typically causing severe weakness and numbness that starts in your extremities and quickly worsens. Learn about the different...
Cycling is a terrific cardio building sport. Learn how to breathe properly when cycling in this video.
