Steven Alexander pours out Wiley Roots' Apumpalyptica. (Tribune file photo).
Hangovers and New Year's Day go together like tequila shots and a bar's last call — inextricably linked, although everyone wishes otherwise.
If you plan on celebrating New Year's Eve with some old-fashioned impaired judgement in its best alcoholic form, Dr. James Wilk of UCHealth has tips to help you start 2019 on the right foot rather than the bathroom floor.
First, Wilk demystified the evil forces at work that turn our bodies against us when alcohol enters the picture.
Spoken like a true doctor, Wilk stressed that the No.1 way to prevent a hangover is to avoid drinking into oblivion.
For those who eye-rolled over the most effective advice, Wilk provided a few tricks to tame a nasty hangover.
Prickly pear extract: Wilk said there is science to suggest consuming prickly pear extract five hours before partying can reduce hangover symptoms by half. The supplement appears to be available at Walmartand Whole Foods. Other helpful supplements include ginger and red ginseng, Wilk said.
Avoid congeners: Consuming congeners, chemicals similar to ethanol formed during the aging process of alcohol, is a recipe for a heavier hangover, Wilk said. Alcohols with high congeners include bourbon, whiskeys, cognac and tequila. Vodka and gin are least likely to cause a hangover, Wilk said.
Water, water everywhere: Dehydration exacerbates the morning after heavy drinking. Wilk recommends downing a glass of water between each drink and another before bed.
Counting sheep: Getting enough sleep is crucial in combating a hangover, Wilk said.
Easy on the aspirin: Wilk warned that popping an ibuprofen before bed when alcohol is still in the system will only make stomach inflamation worse and irritate an already fragile tummy. The doctor recommends waiting until the morning to take something to knock back that headache.