ICSE Class 7 Answered

Hiccups are short, sharp and very sudden breaths of air. They are caused by spasm in the diaphragm. Sometimes, due to the formation of gas or increase of acidity in the stomach, the diaphragm gets irritated and as a result contracts suddenly. The air passing into the lungs experiences obstruction and makes the peculiar sound, which is the hiccup. The best way to stop hiccups is to drink a glass of cold water because cold water stops the irritation produced in the diaphragm and it resumes its normal movement.