ON the 12th day of Christmas my true love came to me and said, "I feel terrible! Why did I have that last cocktail?" If you feel trapped on the festive treadmill - all those parties, all that shopping and all those rich meals to wade through - Christmas can seem more of a trial than a treat.

Don't let that happen to you. Follow our guide to overcoming some common festive ailments.

HANGOVERS

Celebrating the festive season with one cheeky tipple can rapidly turn into excessive merriment - and a few too many empty wine bottles for the recycling bin.

Whatever your poison, a spinning room, thumping headache and a quick dash to the bathroom are often part and parcel of the morning after the night before.

It's estimated 17 million working days are lost to hangovers each year - and the festive season is sure to be high on alcohol-induced sicknotes.

THE SOLUTION

Well - the best advice is not to drink - but if you do indulge, NHS Direct has these tips for preventing a hangover: 1. Limit yourself to one drink per hour. The body can process alcohol at a rate of about 15ml per hour, the equivalent of about one small can of medium strength lager.

2. Eat a meal before you start drinking. Food helps to absorb alcohol, giving the body more time to process it and reducing the risk of a hangover.

3. Drink plenty of water to counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

4. Intersperse alcoholic drinks with water to avoid the morning after thirst'.

5. Avoid drinks that contain large amounts of congeners, as these tend to cause more severe hangovers. Generally, these are dark-coloured drinks such as red wine, brandy, and port.

Another remedy is Good n Natural Kudzu, which is believed to help reduce alcohol cravings and the nasty after-effects of a big night. A pack of 60 tablets costs £9.99 from Holland & Barrett stores.

EXHAUSTION

You've partied like Paris Hilton, gone on shopping sprees that would put Coleen McLoughlin to shame and worked as though overtime is going out of fashion to hit deadlines before the festive break.

It's little wonder Christmas Day is renowned for people snoring on the sofa. By the time December 25 is opened on the advent calendar, we're all exhausted.

"Exhaustion can make you feel irritable, overwhelmed and depressed," says Dr Nick Read, author of Sick and Tired: Healing the Illnesses Doctors Cannot Cure.

"In the run-up to Christmas there's a tremendous amount to do. People cram everything in with work and home and that combined with the party season and late nights leave people struggling through the day."

THE SOLUTION

"Pace yourself in the build-up to Christmas," Dr Read recommends. "Try to tackle things one by one and make lists so that you set yourself manageable targets. Amongst the busy times with friends and family, allow some space for yourself and your partner.

"Sleep is a handy tool to combat exhaustion. It's important not to have too many late nights or drink too much, which can affect sleeping patterns. Go to bed at a reasonable hour with a camomile tea. Herbal sleeping remedies like valerian or Nytol are good because they don't make you feel zonked out the next day."

TUMMY TROUBLES

Eating on the run during shopping trips, indulging in too many rich meals or gobbling down suspect party snacks can also cause festive misery.

Around 37 per cent of Britons suffer from a stomach complaint, indigestion or bloating over Christmas, according to a survey by bloating aid WindSetlers.

THE SOLUTION

Get relief from bloating and trapped wind with WindSetlers gel capsules, £1.25 for a pack of eight, from supermarkets and pharmacies.

Silicol Gel is a natural way to relieve indigestion. It's £6.99 from Holland & Barrett.

BAD BREATH

Late nights, rich food, too many sneaky cigarettes - bad breath can strike all of us. In fact recent Superdrug research estimates that four in 10 Britons worry about it.

"Bad breath is one of the hidden complaints," says Clive Daley, director of health care for Superdrug.

THE SOLUTION

The good news is, it's easy to correct. Brush your teeth.