Hiccups can be really annoying and embarrassing, when with a company.

They just start off, randomly, before taking a long while, to stop.

Hiccups are bursts of inspiratory (breathing in) activity. The muscles we use when we take in a breath are the intercostal muscles situated between the ribs, and the diaphragm - a sheet of muscle below the lungs.

Most simple cases of hiccups come after eating or drinking too much or too quickly. The stomach, which is situated right below the diaphragm, becomes distended and irritates it. This will cause the diaphragm to contract, as it does when we breathe in.

Sometimes hiccups will occur because of a disturbance to the nerve pathways from the brain to the muscles involved. This explains why hiccups may occur with temperature changes or emotional situations. It is also the reason that a sudden shock can sometimes abolish an attack.

Persistent hiccups may signify problems in the brain, spinal cord or any of the structures around the diaphragm or chest wall.

There are many ways to cure them.

Simply holding your breath is often effective. Breathing into a paper bag, the best remedy, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the lungs, relaxing the diaphragm and halting the spasms.

Breathe in and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Repeat three or four times. Then repeat 20 minutes later.

Bring your knees to your chest and hug them for 2 minutes.

Gargle with iced water.

Place gentle pressure on your nose while you swallow.

According to Guinness World Records, the record for hiccupping continuously is held by Charles Osborne (1892-1991), from Anthon, IA. He hiccupped continuously for 68 years, from 1922 to 1990.