Doctor in the House

At this time of year with the Christmas party season fast approaching, one of the most frequently asked questions in my surgery pertains to hangovers: what causes them?; and how can the symptoms be most effectively relieved?

A hangover, medically termed veisalgia, is the after-effect following the consumption of large amounts of one drug or another. In particular, it is most commonly associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Symptoms include headache, dry throat and irritability.

My recommended method of mitigating the effects has been honed over several years.

• Firstly: Rehydrate. This is best achieved by drinking several pints of water, into which I squeeze a lemon & a few drops of witch-hazel.
• Secondly: Boost your blood-sugar. Have a hearty breakfast; I prefer bacon and eggs.
• Finally: Expunge the toxins that remain in the body. Any cardio-vascular exercise that creates perspiration would be an option. In the interests of time, however, I prefer to turn my bathroom towel rail to maximum, and then go for a slow satisfying dump.