While scientists say the only reliable cure for a hangover -- so far -- is time, here are a few tips to prevent yourself from getting one in the first place.

Doctors believe a wide array of toxins are probably responsible for the headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and irritability that come with hangovers. While hangovers are a well-studied phenomenon, exactly what toxin or combination of toxins is responsible for a hangover remains unclear -- the culprits may be present as impurities in the alcoholic beverages or created by the body itself.

Partygoers may think of alcohol as their best friend, but their livers treats alcohol as one of many enemies. When the body attempts to break down and remove alcohol, it creates a highly toxic byproduct known as acetaldehyde, according to researchers working with the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda, Md. After too much alcohol is ingested, the toxins build up faster than the body can flush them out and voila -- a hangover.

Dehydration also plays a major role in hangover symptoms. Alcohol is a diuretic -- it increases the amount of urine the body releases. The more alcohol you drink, the more precious bodily fluids your body actually loses. Your kidneys and liver need water to dilute and eliminate toxins. If there is not enough water available the body restricts the amount of water going to places -- such as your brain.

A bevy of folk remedies purport to cure hangovers, from raw eggs in Ireland to pickled fish in Germany. By far the most famous of these so-called cures is "the hair of the dog that bit you" -- that is, consuming more alcohol. While it is true the body goes through withdrawal symptoms after the alcohol overdose that started the hangover in the first place, more alcohol only provides a temporary solution, the NIAAA explains. Hot black coffee -- another often-touted remedy -- may help relieve that headache, but it also contains a lot of caffeine, another diuretic.

Sadly, no cure for hangovers exists save rest. Rehydrate the body with water, fruit juices or broth and avoid anything with caffeine, and certainly anything with alcohol, advises the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. If you can stand to keep food down, eating may help replenish any nutrients lost through nausea. Soothing concoctions such as ginger root tea help calm the stomach. Aspirin and other over-the-counter medicines can help dull the edge of a hangover.

Beware, though -- do not take aspirin while drinking or before you pass out. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that aspirin actually increases blood alcohol levels by 26 percent by slowing your metabolism, which may cause very dangerous levels of liver damage.

The best approach to take against hangovers may be to avoid them altogether. While drinking in moderation -- or not drinking any alcohol at all -- are clearly the best prevention techniques, if you are determined to over-indulge, drink plenty of fluids and eat food to dilute the alcohol as much as possible, the Mayo Clinic added. The old adage "Beer before liquor, never sicker, liquor before beer, never fear," actually holds true -- because beer is carbonated, drinking it before liquor will cause your body to absorb alcohol much more quickly and cause you to feel its effects faster than usual. Mixing what you drink is a bad idea in any case, as your body takes longer to recognize and metabolize each type.

You may also want to avoid darker-colored liquors such as brandy and rum, which contain higher levels of toxic impurities called congeners. These chemicals are created during the alcohol fermentation process and appear to make hangovers feel worse. Bourbon in particular may be a bad idea, as it contains a whopping 20 times more congener than vodka. More expensive liquors generally undergo a more extensive distillation process that removes more congeners for a safer drink.