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Why Your Hangover Cures Will Not Work

When it comes to the holidays, many people already have a headache. If the crowded stores, late night gift wrapping and tree decorating, or the constant complaints from the in-laws do not do you in, many people do it to themselves. One too many of Aunt Edna's famous eggnog, or a few to many after dinner drinks and you find yourself waking up with all the symptoms of a hangover. Here is a look at alcohol, drinking, and why your hangover cures just will not work.

Drinking alcohol can leave you with all sorts of unpleasant side effects. Dilated blood vessels give you a headache. The diuretic effects of the drinking dehydrate you, furthering your misery. Many alcohols contain chemicals that are well known for causing hangovers. Plus, if you are out partying instead of sleeping, you have all the joys of sleep deprivation to deal with.

For the most part, the symptoms of a hangover are unavoidable once you have them. Drinking mixed drinks, which have a lower amount of alcohol per volume and sugars that help metabolize the alcohol, may help. However, the best option is not to drink. If you cannot avoid that special Christmas sherry, try some almonds or peanut butter - the fat in the nuts may help slow down the absorption. By having several glasses of water before bedtime can help you to combat the dehydration.

If you cannot avoid the hangover, one of the most important things to do in the morning is to re-hydrate. Sports drinks and juices are helpful. Next, a little aspirin can help with the aches and pains. But remember, you are only treating the symptoms, not actually curing the hangover itself. Your body is still going to need time to process the alcohol.

Some hangover cures are straight out myths. Any of the ones that involve drinking more alcohol, while they may make you feel better temporarily, are only going to make the hangover worse. And the weird ones, like swallowing raw eggs, have not shown to have much of an effect on anything, except to make you more inclined to throw up.

If you are a woman, remember that you cannot drink as much as your male counterpart since it takes longer for your body to digest the alcohol. Plus, if you are nearing the end of your monthly cycle, the low estrogen levels combined with the alcohol are more likely to leave you feeling nauseous and with a hangover in the morning.

If you know that you are searching for hangover cures more often than after the occasional party - or if you have found that you can drink more than ever without getting a hangover - you may have a drinking problem. Drinking to relax is also another sign. Talk to your doctor about medications and/or herbal supplements that may be helpful to getting you feeling like yourself again and avoid drinking and hangover all together.

Remember, the only real way to prevent a hangover is not to drink, and the only real cure is time. So if you are going to drink this holiday season, or any other time of the year, be prepared to pay the price.