by Linda Kelly

Created on: July 17, 2008   Last Updated: February 06, 2012

Never again!' is a common groan from under the bed covers the morning after the night before. However, the worst of hangovers can be lessened by taking a few simple steps BEFORE heading out the door for the party, as well as during and after the revelries.

Granted, some hangovers are caused by an unexpected drinking session, but if the night out has been planned, a few simple measures can help counter the effects of the measures you are about to consume.

The symptoms of a hangover are well-documented, but the reasons for them less so. Firstly, the unmistakable pounding headache: this is caused by the diuretic effect of the alcohol; it dehydrates you, and the headache is in fact the dehydrating brain shrinking away from the skull. Not a pleasant thought. The dry mouth and raging thirst are two more side effects of this dehydration.

Alcohol also contains congeners, naturally occurring and sometimes toxic substances. In addition, the by-product of the liver breaking down the alcohol to pass through the body is another toxin, acetaldehyde, which causes the nausea.

Blood sugar levels are lowered by excessive alcohol intake, hence the dizziness trying to stand up the next morning, when it seems like your bedroom (or wherever you wake up) has become a whirling carousel.

Finally the alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach, which adds to the feeling of an upset tummy.

When faced with all this information it makes you wonder why we do it, but do it we do.

Before starting your night out, make sure you have a meal, or at least plan to eat early on in the evening. On this occasion a fatty meal is actually recommended as it remains in the stomach longer, takes longer to digest and therefore allows slower absorption of alcohol into the blood stream, meaning you won't get drunk so quickly.

Many swear by the herbal medicine milk thistle, which is available from health food stores in liquid or tablets. This is believed to help the liver break down the alcohol, and get it out of your system sooner. If taken before drinking alcohol it can help ease the symptoms the next day.

While out on the town, your choice of drink can have an effect. Generally speaking the darker the liquid, the worse the hangover. This is because darker drinks contain more congeners. Stick to vodka, gin or white wine. And definitely do not mix your drinks as this causes too much stress on your liver, and the alcohol will stay in your body for longer.

Also try and avoid fizzy drinks. As glamorous as it

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