Prevent Painful Hangovers

Everyone has his own hangover cure: caffeine, exercise, greasy food – even the pills and potions sold in convenience stores. But none has been proven to cure hangovers. Caused mainly by dehydration, hangovers are best treated by drinking water and taking acetaminophen, which is easy on the stomach. (Heavy drinkers, who are at risk for liver disease, should not take acetaminophen without a doctor’s OK)

Luckily, recent research indicates you can prevent post-drinking pain. Try these tricks before your next night on the town:

• Bet on B – Swallow a daily multivitamin that contains B-6. It speeds the elimination of alcohol from the blood, leading to a faster recovery.

• Have an H2O chaser – Alcohol is a diuretic. It impairs the kidneys’ ability to retain water, resulting in dizziness and nausea. The fix: down a glass of water after each drink, and another before bed.

• Cut down on congeners – These impurities arising from the fermentation process inflame your body’s tissues, much like a virus does. Choose top-shelf brands, or clear drinks, like vodka, which have fewer congeners than darker booze, like Whisky.