Doctor Rob Hicks replies: Anything that irritates the diaphragm can trigger hiccups. Common causes are stomach distension caused by eating and drinking too much or too quickly; sudden changes in temperature, for example coming from a warm pub environment out into the cold air; and the old favourite, simply drinking or smoking too much. Stress can also cause hiccups.
If any of these triggers seem familiar avoidance is the only way to try and prevent hiccups. Of the many traditional treatments for hiccups, popular ones include holding your breath for a count of ten or drinking cold water quickly from the back of the glass or having someone drop a cold key down your back inside your clothing to 'scare the hiccups out of you', although none of them are guaranteed to work.