Those Halacious Hangovers!

You know the drill...your friends ask you to go out for a couple of drinks after work for Happy Hour and you end up having six glasses of wine, instead of the three you were planning on having, and stayed out an hour and a half past your bedtime.  And of course, the next day is absolutely a work day, and don't forget that workout!  Now what?  You can't bear the thought of working nine hours with the glare of those overhead lights and the dull roar of your co-workers talking in the sea of cubicles that surround you, and then dragging yourself into the gym.  How do you cure those halacious hangovers?

How do you know which hangover cures are just "old wives tails" and which ones are legitimate?  Let's ask an expert on the matter: John Brick, director of consulting firm Intoxikon and author of "The Doctor's Hangover Handbook: The Intelligent Person's Guide to Curious and Scientific Facts About Alcohol and Hangovers."  Let's take a look at what the hangover expert has to say about the myths and truths to curing hangovers.

Is there anything to "hair of the dog" or having another drink?
"Hair of the dog" works for some people because, for them, a hangover is actually the start of alcohol withdrawal, and the simplest "fix" would be to have a drink. Obviously, this isn't recommended and may be symptomatic of a more serious problem. Plus, it just delays the inevitable"

How about a big breakfast—the greasier the better?
"This is an old wives' tale and helpful only if you happen to own a breakfast cafe."

What about drinking water during and after imbibing?
"Alcohol is a diuretic; it inhibits the hormone that regulates water retention. This means you have to urinate more, and dehydration can interfere with normal cellular functioning. Water replenishes (or at least offsets) that loss. Also, if you are consuming water, it slows down your drinking rate and may decrease the total alcohol consumed, both of which minimizes hangovers."

How about the plop, plop, fizz, fizz of Alka-Seltzer?

"The baking soda may help neutralize an overly acidic stomach (alcohol increases stomach acid secretion), and aspirin will help most people with the headache part of their hangover. But if you are sensitive to aspirin or have any history of stomach bleeding or ulcers, avoid aspirin."

What about other over-the-counter pain medicines?
"If you drink often and enough to get regular hangovers, you should avoid painkillers containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. The combination of high doses of acetaminophen and alcohol can cause liver damage. If you don't have allergies or sensitivity to aspirin and don't drink regularly, it can be a good choice for most people. Consult your physician regarding acetaminophen use."

How about a nice cup of strong coffee?
"For people who regularly drink coffee, not drinking it can cause caffeine withdrawal, making the hangover worse, so a cup may be better than none at all. But drinking it can cause narrowing of the blood vessels, which will also make a hangover worse. So, it's a toss up."

Coconut milk is all the rage right now. Can it cure a hangover?

"Unless it's fortified with other things, probably not. It is 94.2% water, so drinkers would be better off with Gatorade or a similar sports drink that can replenish electrolytes."

Well, there you go, folks!  I guess according to the expert the only real way to cure a hangover is with plain, old water.  So go enjoy those adult beverages, but always remember your water glass.