10 Hangover Cures And Cons (PHOTOS)

Prevention is the best cure for a hangover. The only way to avoid a pounding head and queasiness the morning after is to drink in moderation, or to stay away from alcohol entirely. But with all sorts of seasonal celebrations going on, it’s easy to overindulge.

Alternating your drinks with water or another nonalcoholic beverage can help you slow down and stay hydrated. If you still wind up with a hangover, you may be inclined to try one of the many supposedly tried-and-true remedies that have been passed down through the ages.

Don’t get your hopes up. Traditional hangover remedies are often ineffective, and some of them may actually make you feel worse.

Hair Of The Dog

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Even though the thought of a bloody mary may appeal to you, a virgin mary is a much better choice the morning after. “The worst thing to do is to have another drink,” says Charles Cutler, M.D., an internist in Norristown, Pa., and the chair of the American College of Physician’s board of governors.

The alcohol may temporarily take the edge off your symptoms but could hurt in the long run. Hangovers make you feel horrible because alcohol is toxic, Dr. Cutler explains, and you need to give your body a chance to recover. That morning drink could lead to an even worse hangover the following day.