Has 'Happy' Turned Into 'Headache'?

According to Health Magazine, the best cure for a hangover is not to drink to excess, or to avoid alcohol altogether. Something tells us you don't have to be a health professional to know that.

With all sorts of seasonal celebrations going on, it's easy to overindulge, and if that's you, here are some myths, as well as tips to combat the morning after.

• Hair of the dog: "The worst thing to do is to have another drink," says Charles Cutler, M.D., an internist in Norristown, Pennsylvania, 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. That morning drink could lead to an even worse hangover the following day.

• Greasy breakfast: There's no scientific evidence that a heaping helping of bacon and eggs will ease hangover anguish, although many people swear by it. Instead, eat light and stay hydrated.

• Alka-Seltzer: the famous fizzy medicine has been used to treat hangovers. In 2001, the company even introduced a Morning Relief formulation specifically for hangovers. While Alka-Seltzer varieties contain sodium bicarbonate (also known as baking soda), which will help settle a queasy belly by neutralizing stomach acid, other ingredients, notably aspirin and citric acid, may irritate your stomach after a night of heavy drinking.

• Aspirin or ibuprofen: Over-the-counter painkillers can certainly help ease hangover headaches and the aches and pains you may feel, but choose carefully. If you're a regular heavy drinker, you may have done some damage to the lining of your stomach, and taking aspirin or ibuprofen (such as Advil) can worsen this damage and even cause bleeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also risky for habitual drinkers, due to the potential for liver damage. Check with your doctor about a painkiller that's right for you.

• Hangover pills: There are lots of products out there that claim to prevent or cure hangovers -- such as Chaser, PreToxx, and RU 21 -- but there is very little scientific evidence that they will make you feel any better. Instead take a multivitamin to restore the nutrients you may have lost.

• Coffee: If you're a regular coffee drinker, skipping the java when you're hung over may - or may not be - a good idea. You may wind up layering a pounding caffeine-withdrawal headache on top of your hangover woes if you miss your morning fix. However, caffeine narrows your blood vessels and boosts blood pressure, which may make it worse. If you drink coffee regularly, try a very small amount in the morning. Wait 30 to 60 minutes and see how you feel.

• Water and sports drinks: Conventional wisdom holds that the dehydration caused by heavy drinking is what makes you feel so bad the next day. However, experts actually know very little about what causes a hangover. Potential culprits include disrupted biological rhythms or even alcohol withdrawal, and research suggests that congeners -- toxic substances found in alcohol, especially dark liquors such as whiskey -- may also play a role. Nevertheless, replacing the fluid you've lost like juice, water or Gatorade will likely help you feel a little less miserable.

• Exercise: A gentle workout might help you feel better, if you can manage it. If you've been drinking heavily, you could be a little dehydrated, you could be metabolically behind on your nutrition, and exercise is going to require hydration and nutrition.

• Sauna: Think you can "sweat out" the alcohol and other toxins you may have consumed during a night of partying? Think again. A sauna can cause potentially dangerous blood vessel and blood flow changes in your body. If you're already somewhat dehydrated, excessive sweating can be harmful, and even deadly.

• Sleep: People sleep poorly after a night of drinking. Alcohol will put you to sleep quickly, but when it begins to wear off several hours later, the withdrawal your body feels can disrupt sleep and jolt you awake. While sleep deprivation won't by itself cause a hangover, it can definitely make the symptoms worse. If you have the luxury of "sleeping it off" the next day, do so. Your foggy brain and achy body will thank you.

• In the end, the only surefire treatment for a hangover is time.