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One of the scariest things about a hangover is that you have to wonder. Was I the person last night that my parents warned me about? All kidding aside, there's something even scarier about a hangover. It's the body's way of recovering from a self-inflected poisoning. The remedies for a night of indulgence are at best supportive, as only metabolism will successfully rid the body of excess alcohol, and only time will hopefully heal the wounds inflicted on thyself and others.

All is not lost; by understanding what alcohol does to the body we can find ways to treat its lingering symptoms. But before you reach over to grab a couple of Tylenol to ease the pain while you finish this article...Read the label's warning from the Food and Drug Administration: If you consume more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day, ask your doctor if you should take acetominophin (tylenol) or other pain or fever reducers. Acetominophin can cause liver damage and - Death!

So, what is going on in the body when too much alcohol is ingested?

- In an attempt to get rid of the toxins the body starts to flush out water creating dehydration which leads an imbalance of electrolytes and minerals.

- Electrolytes are simple elements like salt and potassium. Shifts in the concentration of electrolytes can lead to delirium and irritability.

- Calcium is a mineral needed for muscle function. A shift in this mineral causes extreme nerve sensitivity, muscle spasms which account for the aches, leg pains, restless sleep and twitching.

- Since alcohol is actually a stimulant we feel like we have super powers and can keep going...and going...until we drop.

- Meanwhile alcohol depresses the body's central control center and when that happens our breathing decreases meaning less oxygen to the brain which leads to bizarre behavior and that killer headache.

- Vitamin C is also lost in the process which contibutes to your overall physical misery and headache in the morning.

In short before we even hit the pillow we are dehydrated, have a major chemical imbalance, are oxygen deprived and have possibly done something shameful and wierd while we were delusional.

Okay that was then, what now?

~ Get Drinking ~

Not the hair of the dog but lots of water. In fact, some people swear that by drinking a big glass of water before bed they avoid a hangover. In addition to water, caffeine-free peppermint or ginger tea is also good for the tummy and calcium-enriched orange juice will replenish lost supplies of both vitamin C and calcium. Then

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