Put an end to your hangover with these 6+ home remedies

The pounding headaches and nausea that can accompany a night of drinking only makes life worse the next day. In order to truly avoid the aftereffects of drinking, the solution is really very simple: don't drink. Once you decide to start imbibing, you've opened yourself up to the possibility of a hangover.

A lot of old-wive's tales for curing hangovers are available, but if you don't want to do trial-and-error to find out what works, you need some solid recommendations. Here are 6+ ways that you should try first to take care of your post-drinking woes.

1. Prickly pear. Available over-the-counter, prickly pear extract is said to help dramatically. WebMD says to take the extract several hours before you plan on drinking. It's supposed to cut your symptoms in half, making it worth a try.

2. Hydrate. Because alcohol is a diuretic, Health reminds you to drink plenty of water if you're going to imbibe. Consuming the water while drinking is supposed to be the best way to go, but drinking plenty of fluids the next morning may also help.

3. Olive oil. In order to keep the alcohol from being absorbed as quickly, Everyday Health recommends trying 1 spoonful of olive before drinking. If you don't have any of that around, you may try eating a greasy meal like pizza and fries.

4. Sugar. Alcohol is high in its own sugar content, but Everyday Health
says to consume items high in fructose while you're drinking to help speed up the metabolizing of the alcohol. Consuming after the fact is too late, and before can get the sugar out of your system before the alcohol hits.

5. Nap. Sometimes, sleeping it off is the best solution, according toWebMD. Since alcohol disrupts your regular sleep pattern, taking a nap to help with your symptoms might be the only way you get relief.

6. Sodium bicarbonate. Health reports that the baking soda in Alka-Seltzer may help calm your nauseated stomach. Alka-Seltzer also has aspirin and citric acid, though, which can make your nausea worse. Make your own soothing drink from WebMD's recipe: combine 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 glass of water.

7. Pain relief. Pounding headaches often go along with drinking too much. Health reminds you to take something for the headache. Just "toughing it out" only makes you more miserable. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are to possible sources of pain relief.

A favorite after-drinking remedy is to take another drink. Caution is given to this solution as once all the alcohol drops out of your system, the side-effects of the drinking still have to be gone through. Starting your night off by choosing to pass on the drinks might just be the best solution around.