A common home remedy for hiccups involves swallowing granulated sugar, dry bread or ice. The "why" here has to do with how the sugar affects the vagus nerve, which connects the brain and the stomach.

Hiccups seem to be shrouded in myth and mystery ... We explore the reasons and remedies for this common condition - such as holding your breath through to more extreme techniques.

While hiccups are usually harmless and don't last long in most people, some individuals can experience them chronically.