Do not let the thought of the morning after hang-over your Christmas

Dr Zahid Chauhan

With preparation, plenty of hydration and no little moderation, the headache of a hangover need not be inevitable this Christmas, says Dr Zahid Chauhan.

Consuming alcohol sensibly can improve your chances of avoiding the dreaded morning after the festive night before, and can make a massive difference to the quality and longevity of life.

Medically, a hangover is mainly caused by dehydration. As a diuretic, alcohol helps remove fluid from the body, making people wee more often. That leads to the dehydration that causes fatigue, nausea and even vomiting in its aftermath.

Be warned, there is no cure for a hangover, there are only ways to avoid it. Big fried breakfasts and sugary foods may calm trembling and give a short burst of energy, but that is all they do. 'Hair of the dog' (drinking more alcohol) is a dangerous old wives’ tale, simply delaying the after effects of alcohol. Indulging in it may also be a warning sign of the slippery slope to alcohol dependence.

Avoiding the morning after experience can also be affected by what is done before drinking. Firstly, make sure to eat something to slow down the absorption of alcohol. Carbohydrates, such as potatoes, should be on your plate.

Also, get a glass of water ready to sip during the night when dehydrated, and drink a pint – but this time of water – before retiring to bed.

Most of all know your limit and do not cross it. Remember two large glasses of wine or three pints of strong lager in one session is classed by some health experts as a binge.

Tipping over the edge into alcoholism happens for many reasons. As the founder of the Homeless-Friendly programme (around a third of rough sleepers are alcohol addicted) I have heard people tell me that grief, stress, anxiety and even genetics have caused them to become dependent on drink. Access to alcohol and a simple love of being sociable can also turn the popular person into the dependent drinker. Never is drink more prevalent of course, than at Christmas.