Anyone who has suffered a sustained bout of hiccups knows how irritating - and then frustrating - they can be.
So spare a thought for dad-of-two Daniel Calvin - who has been cursed with the involuntary spasms for an incredible 14 months.
He hiccups every seven seconds meaning that he has hiccuped an estimated 5.25 million times.
The 37-year-old's ordeal started when he woke up with a hangover and hiccups in July last year.
The problem is so bad, that they sometimes cause him to pass out and keep him awake for hours at night.He also spends many nights in the spare room so his long-suffering wife, Susan, can get some sleep.
Daniel, from County Roscommon, Ireland, has seen a number of experts, had two endoscopies, a CT scan, changed his diet, taken tranquilisers and consulted a chiropractor - all in vain. He's now waiting for an MRI scan fearing that the hiccups may be an indication of a serious medical problem.
He said: "They've taken over my life. I woke up with them one morning after a stag do and I've had them ever since.
"I've no idea why they started - I'd had more to drink than I had for some time but it was nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual mix of beer and spirits.
"Some days are worse than others and on odd days they'll stop, but they can get so bad I pass out or throw up my food.
"There are times when I can't breathe for 30 seconds because they lock up my diaphragm.
"Nights are bad and sometimes I wake up and the whole bed is shaking because they are so violent and I'll go to sleep in a different room so Susan can get some rest.
"I've learned to control them to some extent and disguise them and hiccup quietly but when I stop thinking about them they start sounding again.
"People find it quite funny when they first meet me but then it becomes quite annoying for someone to have to listen to."
Daniel, dad to Harry, three, and 10 month-old Megan, says he has been able to continue working for British Telecom as he is desk based and has little contact with people outside his office.
He said: "I've tried all the old wives' tales like eating sugar and vinegar and all manner of supposed cures, but nothing's worked.
"Last month I had some relief after seeing a chiropractor who manipulated the phrenic nerve in my neck which is connected to the diaphragm.
"They stopped for ten days and I thought I'd finally got rid of them - but then they started again and are as bad as ever.
"I've to try to keep cheerful but I'm at the stage now where I'm scraping the barrel for ideas and looking for people to help me.
"The medical community doesn't seem to know what to do, but it is quite rare.
"I'm told there's only a handful of people in the world at this moment who will have hiccups as bad."
Long-suffering wife Susan, 38, said: "'We are just desperate to find someone who can help him because the hiccups are ruining our lives."