Hiccups are natural and can be a pain. Prolonged hiccups can lead to pain in the shoulders and neck as well as the back. It can also cause pain in the chest and can lead to severe headaches. Though there are no activities that can be pointed out to as the causes of hiccups there are certain common activities that can lead to hiccups. Some of these are eating foods that are spicy, sodas and other carbonated beverages, smoking or exposure to second hand smoke and stress. Some cases have noted that telling lies leads to hiccups. If you have noted some common activity that leads to you getting the hiccups then you must avoid those acts.

Common and natural remedies

Old wives tales suggest eating a pinch of sugar when you get hiccups. Some suggest drinking a glass of water after you eat the sugar. Be careful when you are drinking the water though. When you chest contracts during the hiccups the water may enter into your respiratory system and can lead to suffocation.

Another suggestion is to rub the roof of your mouth with your finger. Touch the soft palette; this is connected to the diaphragm and helps to get rid of the hiccups when it is touched.

Take a deep breath and then hold it when you feel the sensation of the hiccup. This will help you to control the hiccups and will lighten the impact of the chest contractions. Another way to compress your chest when you get the hiccups is to sit straight on your chair and fold your knees near your chest. Sit in this position for a few minutes and practice controlled breathing. This will help you to get rid of the hiccups in a few minutes.

If you can condition a burp then you can cure your hiccups with this. When you burp the hiccups will naturally disappear. Some use carbonated drinks to bring on the burps though it wont help if the drink bough on the hiccups to begin with.