Most of the time, doctors never find the cause of hiccups. When a cause is found it is almost always something that irritates or presses on the nerves leading to the heart, lungs or diaphragm, such as a tumor, stomach ulcer, or irregular heart beats.

Hiccup is an involuntary and sudden contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm. Normally, this action is repeated many times. A weird sound (hic) is produced. The sound is because of the epiglottis which closes when air suddenly tries to rush in. Hiccups are not as painful usually, though they can be very irritating at times. When they continue for a long period, they are very irritating. Normally, when I get them, I just drink two glasses of water and I am done! But in little serious cases.

Hiccups occur when your diaphragm convulses, causing you to involuntarily gulp air. When your body senses the unexpected intake of air, it says "no, no!" and snaps shut your throat at the glottis. The whole process takes about 1/30 of a second, just long enough for you to emit the ever so popular "hic" sound.

Diaphragm problems are one reason an individual may experience continued hiccups. A tumor or abscess on the diaphragm, diaphragm nerve irritation, and the like are sometimes the culprit. There are other physical conditions that could irritate the diaphragm muscle and this could cause hiccups. Pregnancy, pleurisy, pneumonia, stomach disorders, kidney failure, pancreas disorders, intestine disorders, hepatitis, esophagus abscess, liver disease, heart attack, esophagus tumor, chest tumor, inflamed intestines, psychological disorders, heart surgery, back surgery, and even long surgery could result in the hiccups. Some individuals may develop the hiccups after a reaction to anesthesia. Brain damage can also be the cause of hiccups.

smoking and drinking alcohol can also cause hiccups. A rapid temperature change outside or inside your stomach, from a cold night or a hot beverage, can be irritating enough to induce hiccups. Finally, emotions shock, excitement and stress -- can also trigger a hiccup fit.

Persistent and intractable hiccups can have more serious causes. There are hundreds, from hysteria to heart attacks, but most fit into one of five categories: central nervous system problems, metabolic problems, nerve irritation, anesthesia or surgery, and mental health issues. Because these causes are so varied and potentially serious, anyone suffering from hiccups for more than 48 hours should head straight to a doctor.

The exact cause of hiccoughs is not known to medical science. But Ayurveda holds the gastrointestinal tract responsible for them. They can be caused due to minor problems such as flatulence and constipation. In such cases, hiccoughs are not serious and they can be taken care of easily. But hiccoughs that are caused due to chronic conditions must be considered with great care.

A hiccup or hiccough (normally pronounced "HICK-up" IPA: /'h?k?p/, though hiccough is an archaic and now disused spelling), is a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that typically repeats several times per minute. In humans, the abrupt rush of air into the lungs causes the epiglottis to close, creating the "hic" listen (help•info) noise.A hiccup is a condition that takes place from the dome shaped chest muscle, also known as diaphragm.

There are many home remedies for hiccups. Holding your breath is one of them. Others find relief in drinking cold water, gargling while holding one's breath, coughing, sneezing, putting a pinch of salt on the back of the tongue, breathing into a paper bag or a sharp yank on the tongue. Being startled can also stop hiccups in some people.

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