Merry-making and revelry at Christmas can wreak havoc on our bodies. Lisa Haynes and Lucy Corry have tips on how to avoid festive ailments.

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.

Follow this guide to beating some common festive ailments.

BAD BREATH

Late nights, rich food, too many sneaky cigarettes - bad breath can strike all of us. Recent research by Superdrug suggests four in ten Britons worry about it.

"Bad breath is a hidden complaints," says Clive Daley, director of health care for Superdrug. "You either know you have it and are devastated, or you don't know you have it and devastate those around you."

THE SOLUTION: The good news is, it's easy to correct. Keep a Total care toothbrush, from 99p, and some whitening toothpaste, £1.09, in your desk drawer or handbag.

DIET DOOM

Two-thirds of Britons admit to putting on a stone in weight as a result of stuffing themselves over the Christmas holidays. It's hardly surprising, as a traditional plate of Christmas dinner can contain 1,300 calories - that's without the pudding, drinks and that indulgent breakfast.

People in Yorkshire and the Humberside put on the most (23 per cent gain up to 12lbs), while those in the North-East are best at restraining themselves and gain only 1-2lbs.

THE SOLUTION: Nutritionist Fiona Hunter says: "Have a light breakfast like fruit instead of a fry-up. Choose stuffing made from chestnuts or dried fruit instead of sausage meat and save 100 calories and 11g of fat per serving.

"Try a walk instead of slumping in front of the television on Christmas Day and the exercise will aid digestion and help burn off a few calories."

Liposinol could help. It's made from a dried cactus extract and can remove up to 150 calories from a standard meal. It costs £19.95 for a pack of 48 from Holland & Barrett, Superdrug and independent health stores.

EXHAUSTION

You've partied, gone on shopping sprees 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 and that combined with the party season and late nights leave people struggling."

THE SOLUTION: "Pace yourself," Read recommends. "Try to tackle things one by one and make lists of manageable targets. Amongst the busy times with friends and family, allow some space for yourself.

"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."

HANGOVERS

Celebrating the festive season with one cheeky tipple can rapidly turn into excessive merriment.

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: NHS Direct has these tips for preventing a hangover:

* 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.

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

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

l Intersperse alcohol with water to avoid the 'morning after thirst'.

* Avoid drinks containing large amounts of congeners, as these often cause more severe hangovers. These are mainly dark-coloured drinks such as red wine, brandy, and port.

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.

Some 37 per cent of Britons suffer from 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.