Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays a key role in breathing. These contractions cause the vocal cords to close ...

You almost certainly had your first hiccup before you were born, probably around 11 weeks after you were conceived. It turns out hiccups are essential to the normal lung development of unborn babies.

Is there anything more annoying than hiccups? Sure, slow walkers can grind on your nerves when you’re in a rush, and watching someone eat with their mouth open is a feat for many of us. But dare I say ...