Twelve ways to deal with a hangover.

Post 447 - "Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I'll grant you the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel doesn't go nearly as well with pizza," according to Dave Barry. Somehow, hangover cures seems an appropriate topic for the day after Saint Patrick's Day. Here are twelve proven ideas to remedy this condition:

1. Rest is your best friend to give your body time to recover. In order to stay in bed and sleep, call the office and tell them you have the stomach flu. You'll probably sound so bad on the phone they'll believe you (unless they saw you at the bar last night). If drinking is interfering with your work, you're probably a heavy drinker. If work is interfering with your drinking, you're probably an alcoholic.

2. Replenish your body with fruit juice and water.

3. Avoid caffeine. A weak cup of coffee may be OK but a lot of caffeine will continue to dehydrate you, the opposite of what you want right now.

4. Drink lots of orange juice for Vitamin C.

5. Drink a sports drink like Gatorade.

6. Eat mineral rich foods like pickles or canned fish. In Poland, drinking pickle juice is a common remedy.

7. Drink a Bloody Mary. While partaking of the “hair of the dog that bit you” may sound logical, it’s only a temporary remedy at best. Try a Bloody Mary instead. While your blood is dealing with the new alcohol, it's ignoring the old and the tomato juice and celery are full of vitamins.

8. Take a shower, alternating between cold and hot water.

9. Try Alka Seltzer Morning Relief.

10. Drink a lot of water and get some exercise - any sort of physical activity will do. It takes willpower to move around when just standing still seems like a challenge, but friends tell me it works.

11. The side effects of aspirin, Tylenol and ibuprofen can be magnified with alcohol in your system. Aspirin's a blood thinner, just like alcohol, and Tylenol can cause more damage to your liver. Ibuprofen can cause stomach bleeding, so be cautious when reaching for the quick relief.

12. Take a little extra multi B vitamin and drink a lot of water before going to sleep.

When I was growing up in Ireland, I was told that one cure for a hangover was to bury the ailing person up to the neck in moist river sand. I can't say I ever tried it however.

Are there any other suggestions out there? I'd love to hear them.....