Although it may be surprising, getting enough sleep is actually hugely important when it comes to getting rid of belly fat. When you're tired, your body produces more ghrelin, which is a hunger-inducing hormone that stimulates cravings for sugar and fatty foods. In addition, lack of sleep messes with the production of other hormones, potentially leading to increased cortisol levels and insulin-sensitivity - both of which have been linked to belly fat. Therefore, you should try to get at least 7 or 8 hours of good quality sleep a night. If you're having difficulty, try to cut down on caffeine and avoid watching TV or working on your laptop before bed - read a book or have a relaxing bath instead. Studies have shown that increased levels of cortisol (a hormone caused by stress) are linked with high levels of belly fat. In addition, it is much easier to make poor food choices when you are stressed out, especially if you are extremely busy or tend to comfort eat. Therefore, it is important to reduce your stress levels in order to combat belly fat. Exercise can benefit hugely when it comes to stress reduction (and fat reduction), as can adequate sleep. You should also take some time for yourself to do things you enjoy. Read a book, go see a movie, or just spend more time with friends and family. Activities like meditation and yoga have also been found hugely beneficial in reducing stress. Heavy or regular drinking is not conducive to a flat tummy. This is true for several reasons: Alcoholic drinks ( beer and cocktails in particular) are high in calories. Therefore, simply by grabbing a couple of drinks after work you could be significantly increasing your total calorie intake. Drinking alcohol puts excess pressure on your liver, which has to work overtime just to clear the toxins from your system. This takes energy away from other important bodily processes such as burning fat and building muscle. You don't need to give up alcohol altogether, but try to limit your drinking to a Friday or Saturday night, and never binge drink. It's recommended that women consume 1 drink or less per day, and men consume 2 drinks or less per day. One drink is equal to 5 oz beer, 12 oz wine, or 1.5 oz liquor.

Summary: Get enough sleep. Reduce stress. Limit alcohol consumption.

Dandruff is actually clumps of skin cells that have sloughed off your cat's body. These clumps can look like scales or flakes. However, not all scale is due to dandruff and it is a good idea to get your dandruff-covered cat checked by a vet. A vet check up is recommended to make sure your cat is not suffering from an illness that is impacting its general health and body condition. These could include diabetes, overactive thyroid glands, arthritis, or seborrhea. If your cat has one of these conditions your vet will make suggestions for treatment. One particular cause of confusion is the skin mite, Cheyletiella yasguri. This mite feeds on sloughed skin cells, which causes more scale to develop, and the mite itself mimics the appearance of scale. Indeed, it has the nickname "Walking dandruff". Your vet can quickly tell if Cheyletiella is a problem by knocking samples of dander onto a microscope slide for examination under high magnification. If the mite is identified then your cat needs treatment with a product containing fipronil. This treatment is generally given every other night, with 3 treatments minimum, in order to kill the mite and resolve the apparent dandruff.

Summary: Identify dandruff. Take your cat to its vet. Rule out infections that may present as regular dandruff.

Sparkling water, soda, and other carbonated beverages can all cause hiccups. Drinking quickly might increase the odds when consuming this sort of beverage. Eating something dry such as bread or crackers quickly without anything to drink might cause hiccups as well. The shift in liquid balance may disrupt your diaphragm. Eating food spicier than you're used to could irritate the nerves around your throat and stomach, which can cause hiccups. Eating food spicier than you can handle can also upset your stomach. This doesn't happen to everyone. Sudden temperature changes in the stomach sometimes cause hiccups. This can happen if you drink a hot drink, then follow it with an icy one. The same results will work with hot and cold foods eaten in rapid succession. Permanent tooth damage is a possibility as the enamel on your tooth can fracture. Do not make a habit of this activity, and never try it if you have porcelain tooth implants, or if your teeth feel painful or sensitive to heat or cold. Being intoxicated is classically linked to having hiccups. The older cartoons would often portray a drunk character fumbling over words with hiccups sprouting out.
Summary: Drink something fizzy. Eat dry food without drinking. Eat spicy food. Alternate your beverage's temperature. Drink excessive amounts of alcohol.