| |
Stay In Bed
One of the best ways to relieve a hangover is to simply stay in
bed. Refuse to move, talk or eat until that characteristic head-thumping
and nausea have passed.
Drink Water
Keep up your water intake, preferably in large quantities - before,
during and after drinking alcohol. This is probably one of the healthiest
measures. Some veterans swear by the aspirin and water method: before
going to bed take 2 aspirins or Alka-Seltzer and drink one or two
litres of water. It has been suggested that in order to avoid being
dehydrated the morning after, you should drink half a pint of water
per unit of alcohol consumed. One unit of alcohol is equivalent
to about half a pint (284ml) of ordinary strength (3.5% alcohol
by volume) lager, beer or cider, a 25ml pub measure of spirits (40%
ABV), or a small glass of 9% ABV wine. The quinine in half a pint
of tonic water is also reputed to help clear the head.
Hair Of The Dog
Replenishing your body's alcohol levels the morning after is a desperate,
but often successful, measure. Some favourites:
Bloody Mary: Take 1 measure of Moskovskaya Vodka, a dash of Lemon
juice, 2 or 3 drops each of Tabasco and Worcestershire Sauce, pepper,
celery salt, sea salt, and ice in a tall glass and fill with tomato
juice. Stir and garnish with a celery stick.
Breakfast Cocktail: Take 1 part Grenadine, 2 parts Dry Gin, the
white of an egg and ice cubes, shake vigorously and strain into
a large wine glass.
Black Velvet: Carefully pour 1 part Guinness and 1 part Champagne
into a long tumbler.
Cherry brandy, Brandy and Southern Comfort, Port, and Sloe Gin.
Alternative Cures
Recommended alternative cures are Cynarus (artichoke), the anti-toxin
Carrduus Marianus (Milk Thistle) or Taraxecum offinalis (Dandelion)
- high in minerals and said to be good for the liver and kidney.
Antioxidants: vitamins A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium, Pine Bark and Resveratrol.
All these should be available from health food shops along with
advice on how to take them.
The Drug Store
Pharmacists sell numerous products claiming to help, although one,
Sob'r-K, actually offers a money-back guarantee. Remembering to
take it could be the problem, as it is neccessary to take two pills
each hour while drinking. Sob'r-K costs £6.70 (US$10) for five packs
of six pills.
Eating Away Your Hangover
Eat your way out of adversity by choosing from one of these morning-after
recipies. A full fried English breakfast, bacon sandwich, Mars Bar
and Coke, black coffee with eggs in, or Red Bull energy drink and
espresso.
Vitamin Replacement
Attempt to replace all those lost vitamins by eating healthy foods
such as fruit, vegetables, bananas and milkshakes. Vitamin B, for
example will help your liver and can be found in foods like Vegemite
- Australia's favorite breakfast spread. Bananas contain potassium
which can help to make one feel happy. These remedies are especially
advocated by those feeling guilty about the previous evening's bodily
abuse.
Shock Therapy
Read the section on 'alcohol related disabilities' in Alcohol and
Alcoholism, published by The Royal College of Psychiatrists (Tavistock
Publications).
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Of course, the only way to definitely avoid a hangover is not to
drink at all, but this isn't a serious proposal, as how would you
ever get to enjoy your cellar, endure dinner at the in-laws or kiss
on that first date if alcohol was not involved?
If All Else Fails
When no cure appears to work, take heart from this quote attributed
to Frank Sinatra. 'I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When
they wake up in the morning that's as good as they're going to feel
all day.' |
