How long does a hangover typically last. What are the most effective ways to alleviate hangover symptoms. Which foods and drinks can help speed up recovery. Are there any proven hangover cures. How can you prevent hangovers in the future.

Understanding Hangovers: Causes and Duration

A hangover is a collection of unpleasant symptoms that occur after drinking alcohol. But how long does a hangover actually last? Dr. Shelley Shafer, a medical expert from UnityPoint Health, explains that hangovers typically resolve within 24 hours. However, those hours can be extremely uncomfortable due to a variety of symptoms.

Common Hangover Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Thirst or dry mouth
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Poor sleep
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Irritability
• Rapid heartbeat

It’s important to note that hangover experiences can vary significantly from person to person. Factors such as age, body size, and individual tolerance levels all play a role in how one’s body processes alcohol and subsequently experiences a hangover.

Hydration: The Key to Hangover Relief

One of the primary causes of hangover symptoms is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and leads to fluid loss. How can you combat this dehydration? The answer is simple: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Effective Hydration Strategies

1. Water: Plain water is always a good choice for rehydration.
2. Electrolyte drinks: Beverages like Pedialyte or sports drinks can be more effective than water alone, as they contain electrolytes that help direct water to areas of the body where it’s needed most.
3. Coconut water: A natural source of electrolytes and potassium.

Dr. Shafer recommends consuming at least 64 ounces of water the day before drinking alcohol. Additionally, try to match each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water to minimize dehydration.

Nutritional Strategies for Hangover Recovery

Proper nutrition can play a crucial role in alleviating hangover symptoms and speeding up recovery. But what specific foods and nutrients should you focus on?

Blood Sugar Regulation

Alcohol consumption can lead to low blood sugar levels, contributing to feelings of fatigue and weakness. To combat this, Dr. Shafer suggests consuming a breakfast high in carbohydrates or drinking a glass of fruit juice. These options can help stabilize blood sugar levels as your body processes the remaining alcohol.

Potassium-Rich Foods

If you’re experiencing muscle aches, increasing your potassium intake may offer some relief. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and are easy on the stomach. Other potassium-rich options include:

• Avocados
• Sweet potatoes
• Spinach
• Yogurt

Multi-Vitamins

Taking a daily multi-vitamin can provide a subtle boost to your recovery. While you may not feel an immediate, dramatic effect, it certainly won’t hurt. Many multi-vitamins contain B vitamins, which can help with energy levels. Your body will naturally eliminate any excess vitamins it doesn’t need.

The Role of Caffeine in Hangover Recovery

Coffee is often touted as a hangover cure, but does it actually help? According to Dr. Shafer, caffeine can indeed provide some benefits during hangover recovery.

How Caffeine Alleviates Hangover Symptoms

1. Headache relief: Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to headaches. Caffeine, being a stimulant, constricts blood vessels, potentially alleviating this symptom.
2. Energy boost: The stimulant properties of caffeine can help combat fatigue associated with hangovers.
3. Improved focus: Caffeine may help sharpen mental clarity, which is often impaired during a hangover.

It’s important to note that while coffee can be beneficial, moderation is key. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to further dehydration and may exacerbate certain hangover symptoms.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Benefits and Precautions

Many people reach for over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate hangover symptoms, but is this a safe practice? Dr. Shafer provides insights on the use of common pain relievers during hangover recovery.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

While acetaminophen can help with headaches and body aches, it comes with a significant caution. Both alcohol and acetaminophen are processed by the liver. Using these two substances together regularly can potentially cause liver damage. If you choose to use acetaminophen, do so sparingly and be aware of the potential risks.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Ibuprofen can also provide pain relief, but it carries its own set of precautions. Both alcohol and ibuprofen can have gastrointestinal side effects, including an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. When you combine two substances with similar side effects, you amplify the potential for harm.

If you decide to use over-the-counter pain relief, do so cautiously and in moderation. Always follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Debunking Hangover Myths: What Doesn’t Work

In the quest for hangover relief, many myths and misconceptions have emerged. Let’s examine some common beliefs about hangover cures and determine their validity.

The “Hair of the Dog” Myth

Some people believe that having another alcoholic drink in the morning can cure a hangover. However, Dr. Shafer strongly advises against this practice. Hangovers are essentially a form of alcohol withdrawal. Consuming more alcohol may temporarily alleviate symptoms by raising blood alcohol levels, but it ultimately prolongs the inevitable onset of the hangover.

Greasy Breakfast Myth

Contrary to popular belief, indulging in a greasy breakfast may do more harm than good when you’re nursing a hangover. Dr. Shafer explains that alcohol slows stomach emptying, which can lead to indigestion, nausea, and upset stomach. A heavy, greasy meal may exacerbate these symptoms rather than provide relief.

Mixing Alcohol Types

You may have heard the phrase, “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” However, Dr. Shafer clarifies that this is largely a myth. The order in which you consume different types of alcohol doesn’t significantly impact your hangover. What matters more is the total amount of alcohol consumed and how quickly you drink it.

Preventive Measures: Minimizing Hangover Risk

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent a hangover entirely (other than abstaining from alcohol), there are steps you can take to minimize your risk and potentially reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.

Pacing Your Drinks

Dr. Shafer emphasizes the importance of pacing yourself when consuming alcohol. The liver typically processes one standard drink per hour. However, this rate can slow down as we age. If you’ve noticed increased sensitivity to hangover symptoms, consider spreading your drinks out even further.

Hydration Before, During, and After Drinking

Proper hydration is crucial in preventing severe hangovers. Dr. Shafer recommends:

• Drinking at least 64 ounces of water the day before consuming alcohol
• Alternating between alcoholic beverages and water while drinking
• Consuming a glass of water for each alcoholic drink
• Continuing to hydrate well after you’ve stopped drinking alcohol

Eating Before and While Drinking

While it’s not advisable to eat a large meal right before bed after drinking, having food in your stomach while consuming alcohol can help slow its absorption. Opt for a balanced meal before drinking and consider light snacks throughout the evening.

Knowing Your Limits

Understanding and respecting your personal alcohol tolerance is crucial. Dr. Shafer provides some general guidelines:

• Women should consume fewer than seven drinks per week
• Men shouldn’t have more than 14 drinks per week

Exceeding these limits may not only increase your risk of severe hangovers but could also signal a potential drinking problem.

When to Seek Medical Help

While most hangovers resolve on their own within 24 hours, there are instances where medical attention may be necessary. But how do you know when a hangover has crossed the line into a more serious condition?

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Seek immediate medical attention if you observe any of the following symptoms:

• Confusion or stupor
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Blue-tinged or pale skin
• Hypothermia (low body temperature)
• Unconsciousness or inability to wake up

Persistent Symptoms

If hangover symptoms persist beyond 24 hours or seem unusually severe, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. This could indicate an underlying condition or a more severe reaction to alcohol.

Mental Health Concerns

Alcohol can have significant effects on mental health. If you experience persistent feelings of anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm following alcohol consumption, seek help from a mental health professional.

Remember, while hangovers are common, they shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. If you find yourself frequently dealing with severe hangovers or struggling to control your alcohol intake, it may be time to reassess your relationship with alcohol and seek professional guidance.

Long-Term Health Implications of Frequent Hangovers

While the immediate discomfort of a hangover is often the primary concern, it’s crucial to consider the potential long-term health implications of frequent alcohol consumption and subsequent hangovers. What are the risks associated with regular heavy drinking?

Liver Health

The liver bears the brunt of alcohol metabolism. Frequent heavy drinking can lead to various liver conditions, including:

• Fatty liver disease
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis

These conditions can severely impact liver function and overall health. Regular hangovers may be an indicator that you’re consuming alcohol at levels that put your liver at risk.

Cardiovascular Health

While moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with some cardiovascular benefits, frequent heavy drinking and hangovers can negatively impact heart health. Potential risks include:

• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased risk of stroke
• Weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

Cognitive Function

Chronic heavy drinking and frequent hangovers may have long-term effects on cognitive function. Research suggests potential impacts on:

• Memory
• Attention span
• Decision-making abilities
• Overall brain structure and function

Mental Health

While alcohol may temporarily alleviate stress or anxiety, frequent drinking and hangovers can exacerbate mental health issues in the long term. This can lead to:

• Increased risk of depression
• Heightened anxiety
• Mood swings
• Sleep disturbances

Understanding these potential long-term health implications underscores the importance of responsible alcohol consumption and seeking help if you find yourself frequently experiencing hangovers or struggling to control your drinking habits.

Alcohol Metabolism: Understanding the Science Behind Hangovers

To truly comprehend why hangovers occur and how to best manage them, it’s helpful to understand the science behind alcohol metabolism. How does your body process alcohol, and why does this lead to hangover symptoms?

The Journey of Alcohol Through Your Body

1. Absorption: When you consume alcohol, it’s quickly absorbed into your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and small intestine.
2. Distribution: Once in your bloodstream, alcohol is distributed throughout your body, affecting various organs and systems.
3. Metabolism: The liver is primarily responsible for breaking down alcohol. It metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one standard drink per hour.
4. Elimination: The remaining alcohol is eliminated through urine, sweat, and breath.

Why Hangovers Occur

Hangovers typically begin when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) starts to fall. This decline in BAC can lead to various physiological changes that contribute to hangover symptoms:

• Dehydration: Alcohol suppresses the production of antidiuretic hormone, leading to increased urination and fluid loss.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Along with fluid loss, you also lose essential electrolytes, disrupting your body’s balance.
• Gastrointestinal disturbances: Alcohol can irritate the lining of your stomach, increase acid production, and slow stomach emptying.
• Sleep disruption: While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it often leads to poor quality sleep and early waking.
• Inflammation: Alcohol can trigger an inflammatory response in your body, contributing to various hangover symptoms.
• Acetaldehyde accumulation: As your liver breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that contributes to hangover symptoms.

Understanding these processes can help explain why certain remedies may be effective and why prevention strategies like hydration and pacing your drinks can make a significant difference in your hangover experience.

How to Get Over a Hangover

The best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink alcohol in the first place, even when it might seem like a good idea at the time. But, even if you stick with the recommended one drink per hour, you might end up paying for it the next day. Hangovers begin when your previously raised blood alcohol level drops and nears zero. So, how to get over a hangover? Shelley Shafer, DO, UnityPoint Health, offers her advice to help you get on your feet faster.

How Long Does a Hangover Last?

Dr. Shafer says hangovers usually resolve within 24 hours. But, those 24 hours can be rough due to symptoms, including fatigue, thirst or dry mouth, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, poor sleep, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, shakiness, irritability and rapid heartbeat. Dr. Shafer says no two bodies are the same, and everyone tolerates alcohol differently depending on a variety of factors, such as age, size and life experience.

“It’s always a good idea to pace yourself. The liver processes one drink per hour. However, the liver can slow down some as we age, so if you’ve noticed hangover symptoms, try spreading drinks out even further,” Dr. Shafer says.

Dr. Shafer says if you know you’re going to consume alcohol, make sure you adequately hydrate the day before, with at least 64 ounces of water. Also, make sure you have at least one glass of water for each alcoholic beverage consumed. 

How Much Alcohol is Too Much?

It’s recommended that women consumer fewer than seven drinks per week. Men shouldn’t have more than 14. Dr. Shafer says anything above that could signal a possible drinking problem.

How to Get Over a Hangover?

Dr. Shafer knows most people have their own special recipe to cure a hangover. She says there’s no specific combination supported by the medical community. However, the eight items below could help relieve your suffering.

• Hydrate. Consuming alcohol causes dehydration by increasing urination. So, if you’re experiencing a hangover, reach for the water. While water is key, Pedialyte or sports drinks can help rehydrate you a bit faster than plain water because they include electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which help direct water to the areas of the body where it’s needed most.
• Sugar boost. Alcohol causes low blood sugar. Eating a breakfast high in carbohydrates or adding a glass of juice can help get your sugar levels up while the alcohol comes out of your system.
• Coffee. Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate, which can cause headaches. Since the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, it increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels. Dr. Shafer says that’s also why there’s caffeine in some headache medicines, like Excedrin. Besides helping with your headache, the caffeine in coffee can also provide a boost of energy. Keep in mind, you don’t need to go overboard with the coffee to feel its helpful effects.
• Multi-vitamin. Don’t forget to take your daily multi-vitamin. While you likely won’t feel a huge benefit from this, it won’t hurt. Many multi-vitamins include a B vitamin, which can help with energy. Also, if you happen to get too many vitamins, your body will simply get rid of the excess.
• Go to bed with an empty stomach. You’ve probably heard it’s a good idea to eat after drinking, so food can soak up the alcohol. However, Dr. Shafer says this is a bad idea. Having a stomach full of food at the end of the night will probably only cause you more problems. The reason – having too much alcohol causes stomach emptying to slow, which often leads to more indigestion, nausea, upset stomach, even vomiting. For this same reason, she’d suggest skipping a greasy breakfast, if you’re trying to handle a hangover.
• Potassium. You’ll get some of this electrolyte in Pedialyte or a sports drink. If you’re feeling muscle aches, adding in a bit more potassium from things, like bananas, can help offer some relief.
• Stop drinking. Having another alcoholic beverage in the morning isn’t going to help your cause. Hangovers are a type of alcohol withdrawal. So, if you have another alcoholic beverage, you are raising your blood alcohol level and prolonging when your hangover inevitably begins.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Using over-the-counter pain medication can help, but they come with a word of caution. Both alcohol and acetaminophen filter through your liver, meaning you shouldn’t use these two products together regularly, or you risk causing damage to your liver. Ibuprofen and alcohol both have gastrointestinal side effects, including bleeding and ulcers. Any time you’re taking two things with the same side effect, you increase your risk.

Is Mixing Different Types of Alcohol Bad?

You might have heard the phrase, “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” Dr. Shafer says there’s no truth to it. She says it doesn’t matter what types of alcohol you mix. That being said, she does recommend sticking with one type because it’s easier to keep track of consumption amounts. U.S. Serving Size Guidelines include:

• 12-ounces of beer (5 percent alcohol content)
• 8-ounces of malt liquor (beer with high alcohol content)
• 5-ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol content)
• 1.5-ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)

“If you get a beer, it’s often a pint, which is four ounces more than the recommended size. Bartenders also don’t always exactly measure shots or pours of wine. That’s why I suggest sticking with one type of alcohol. It’s easier to remember, for example, if you’ve had three beers. But, it gets more difficult if you have two beers, a long island ice tea and then another beer. You might think you’ve had four drinks. However, the mixed drink is really the equivalent of three or four drinks, which makes your total around seven drinks,” Dr. Shafer says.

Talk to your doctor if you feel you or someone you know has a drinking problem. Another resource is the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service at 1-800-662-HELP. It can route you to service in your community, and connect you with someone to speak with about the problems.

9 Expert Tips for Recovering From a Hangover

Looking for relief from a night of too much partying? There’s no foolproof way to make a hangover disappear, but these home remedies will make you feel a whole lot better.

By Leslie BarrieMedically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD

Reviewed: February 10, 2023

Medically Reviewed

Hangovers are no fun, but fortunately, several do-it-yourself methods can ease the discomfort.

Vera Petrunina/Getty Images; Tatiana Volgutova/Getty Images; Adobe Stock

If you’ve ever had too much to drink, you know some of the morning-after consequences can be less than pleasant: queasiness, tiredness, a splitting headache, dry mouth, stomach upset, and a fuzzy memory, to name just a few.

“There are three big complications to a hangover: inflammation, because it binds to different chemical enzymes in the body and changes the way they act; dehydration, because it causes you to urinate a lot; and sleep deprivation, because it interrupts your sleep architecture so you’re not really getting a good night’s rest,” explains Deep Bhatt, MD, an internist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.

The good news is you can take certain steps to prevent those symptoms if you’re planning to drink.

First, to prevent a hangover, keep in mind that drinking in moderation is half the battle. For women, that means one drink a day, and for men, it’s two drinks a day, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. One drink equals 1.5 ounces (oz) of liquor or spirits, 12 oz of regular beer, or 5 oz of wine. Drink in moderation to limit hangover symptoms, as well as all the other negative health effects of booze. Those include both short- and long-term damage, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes. (Whether any amount of booze at all is safe for your health is debatable.)

When you’re drinking alcohol, be aware that it can interact with certain medications and cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, impaired concentration, and an increased chance of overdose, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). These medications include antidepressants, stimulants, and certain medications that treat anxiety. Allergy medications may negatively interact with alcohol as well. Check with your doctor to make sure what you’re taking doesn’t have a harmful interaction with alcohol, the NIAAA advises.

And understand that what you eat before you start drinking matters. You’ll want to make sure you have a full stomach before you drink, because as Mayo Clinic notes, alcohol is absorbed faster on an empty stomach. Scientists are finding some interesting foods that may help too, like asparagus. Research has found that extracts of asparagus leaves and shoots contain amino acids and minerals that may help liver cells better metabolize alcohol and reduce inflammation. Those components may also provide liver-protective effects, which could help your body recover faster, the research suggests — but no studies have yet been done in humans.

In addition, make sure you’re well hydrated before you indulge, as alcohol causes you to urinate more than normal and depletes your body of fluids, per Cleveland Clinic.

What should you do if a hangover does strike? So far, science has not come up with a single magic natural cure that will solve the misery of having had one too many cocktails. But experts have pinpointed several practical remedies that may shorten the symptoms. Here, discover a few hangover hacks.

596

Drink Lots of Water to Replenish Lost Fluids

Getty Images

One of the easiest home remedies for a hangover? Drink water. “Alcohol itself is a diuretic, meaning that it causes you to urinate more,” says Shilpi Agarwal, MD, a family medicine physician in Washington, DC. “It does this by suppressing certain hormones that help the body hold on to fluid, and therefore you are losing fluids by urinating. ” The Cleveland Clinic notes you can lose up to a quart of urine in the hours after you’ve had four alcoholic drinks.

While it won’t completely prevent the aftereffects, hydrating with water or other fluids — even if you can only get down a few sips at a time — will help. “Drinking water helps restore necessary fluids and can help the bloodstream and circulatory system carry nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and remove the wastes from a night of excessive consumption,” says Pete McCall, an American Council on Exercise–certified personal trainer and exercise physiologist in Carlsbad, California.

Some articles purport that fermented drinks like kombucha can be an antidote for hangovers, but the concept is just theoretical. Kombucha is rich in minerals, antioxidants, and good-for-you-gut bacteria, according to Colorado State University, and research shows that it might be energizing and aid a depressed immune system. If you drink to excess, a review of research found that your immune system may already be weaker than normal.

What not to drink? More booze. Scientists have debunked one of the most popular hangover cures — the “hair of the dog,” or a hefty swig of alcohol the next morning. “Hair of the dog will make you feel better temporarily because you feel that euphoria,” Dr. Bhatt says. “You’ll basically forget you’re hungover, but that’s going to lead to a cumulative effect where you’ll actually feel worse in the long run.”

6 Hangover Cures That Actually Work

597

Guzzle Sports Drinks to Hasten Rehydration

iStock

Want to gain an edge over plain old water to treat your hangover? Consider reaching for Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or a similar nonfizzy sports drink. This recommendation comes courtesy of Kelly Kennedy, RDN, the staff nutritionist at Everyday Health.

These sports drinks contain minerals called electrolytes — such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium — and are designed to help you replenish lost nutrients and quickly rehydrate, according to Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. “Sports drinks will elevate blood glucose and can elevate sodium levels, which help muscle cells uptake and use water, leading to quicker rehydration,” explains McCall. Some research backs this up, showing that drinking electrolytes after long periods of dehydration can significantly restore important minerals, like sodium, potassium, and calcium.

No sports drink in sight? Fall back on plain water and foods that are naturally packed with electrolytes, such as pretzels, which have 488 milligrams (mg) of sodium per oz, or a medium banana (422 mg of potassium), cooked spinach (157 mg of magnesium per cup), and almonds (385 mg of calcium per cup), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). You can also reach for water-rich foods. “They can definitely replenish fluids and decrease the dehydration that contributes to a hangover,” says Kennedy, who recommends watermelon and cucumbers, which both have a high water content. “A sprinkle of salt on either can replenish electrolytes if someone has vomited,” Kennedy adds.

598

Restore Energy With Vitamin B and Protect Immunity With Vitamin C

Tatiana Volgutova/Getty Images

Some hangover symptoms result from nutrient deficiencies, and vitamin B12 is particularly affected by alcohol use, according to a study.

B vitamins are responsible for energy, brain function, and keeping the immune system and nervous system acting properly, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Depletion of B vitamins has been associated with fatigue and low energy levels, though other factors may also or alternatively be in play. If you can’t get your mind off breakfast sandwiches, Maggie Michalczyk, RDN, a food blogger based in Chicago, suggests eating eggs — a great source of the energy-producing B vitamins that alcohol flushes out — with lean protein like turkey bacon and a whole-grain English muffin.

Another vitamin to potentially add to your hangover self-care routine is vitamin C. Research shows a connection between alcohol use and a weakened immune system, impairing the body’s ability to defend itself. To help prevent colds, viruses, and potential alcohol-related illness, load up on vitamin C with fruits and vegetables like broccoli, which is an excellent source, according to the USDA. Also reach for oranges, red bell peppers, kiwis, and strawberries, which are rich in vitamin C, notes the National Institutes of Health.

599

Boost Your Blood Sugar With Carbohydrates

Candice Bell/Getty Images

Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar levels, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, which may contribute to the fatigue, irritability, and weakness that are often consequences of intoxication. It also may explain why breakfasting on toast and honey has long been touted as a natural hangover cure. “Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect the metabolism of glucose, so having a snack like this that is high in carbs and sugars (the fructose in the honey) can elevate blood sugar and provide some immediate energy,” says McCall.

Contrary to popular belief, greasy foods will not help you combat a hangover. That grease is not going to absorb the alcohol — which has already made its way through your liver. “It might sound good at the moment, but it won’t actually make your body feel better,” Michalczyk adds.

Insead, Michalczyk suggests a bowl of chicken noodle soup. “Chicken noodle soup is hydrating and salty, which will help satisfy that craving. Plus, you’ll get some protein to help keep you satisfied, and the vitamins and minerals from celery and carrots will replenish those lost through drinking as well,” says Michalczyk. Not to mention, the noodles provide those aforementioned carbs for energy.

600

Have Chamomile to Reduce ‘Hangxiety’

Adobe Stock

For some people, hangover-induced anxiety can be as taxing emotionally as some of the physical symptoms of a hangover.

If this doesn’t sound familiar, it may be because hangxiety affects us all differently. In one study, researchers discovered that shy people had greater anxiety levels the day after drinking alcohol.

Although high-quality studies on the use of chamomile for hangover recovery are lacking, Michalczyk says some people report that chamomile calms overwhelming feelings brought on by drinking. After all, alcohol can leave you feeling rotten, mental healthwise, because of dehydration, low blood sugar, and out-of-whack hormone production, as the charity Alcohol Change UK notes. Research supports using this flowering plant to soothe those jitters, although study participants were given chamomile extract rather than tea.

As a bonus, chamomile may aid sleep and relieve an upset stomach, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

601

Calm Your Immune System With an Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Michelle Lee/Shutterstock

In pain after a night of drinking? That’s probably your immune system at work. Research suggests that a bout with the bottle produces a clear immunological response, triggering the release of cytokines, which are proteins intended to help your body recover but that also contribute to post-drinking symptoms. Consider taking an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain reliever (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or aspirin for temporary help with a headache and that overall achy feeling, according to Harvard Health Publishing. NSAIDs may irritate the stomach, so skip them if you have a stomachache. You should also avoid NSAIDs if your doctor has advised you to do so.

Steer clear of acetaminophen (Tylenol), however, says Bhatt. Like alcohol, it’s metabolized in the liver and, in rare instances, could have toxic effects if you take a high dose and there is enough alcohol lingering in your system.

602

Try Ginger to Ease Nausea

Adobe Stock

Not sure how to cure hangover nausea? Many doctors and nutritionists alike agree that ginger is one of the best natural remedies for soothing an upset stomach, which is often a common symptom of a hangover.

“Ginger can aid digestion and in this way can ease stomach upset,” says Kennedy, who credits alcohol irritating the lining of the stomach as one of the reasons for hangover-related nausea.

The chemical compounds in ginger are believed to help ease stomach pain and aid digestion. A meta-analysis found that ginger reduced vomiting by 60 percent and fatigue by 80 percent in people with cancer who were receiving chemotherapy treatment. Another review found that ginger had potential antioxidant and liver-protective effects.

You can enjoy this superfood in many ways. For soothing an upset stomach, try brewing ginger tea or simply eating fresh ginger, suggests the Cleveland Clinic.

603

Sweat Away Your Hangover Symptoms (if You’re Up for It)

Getty Images

Of all the possible and popular hangover home remedies, experts say that exercise is one of the best because it ramps up oxygen flow to the brain and increases mood-boosting hormones that support energy levels. It also “increases the clearance of toxins from the body,” notes Bhatt.

If you can muster the strength to work out, McCall has this advice: “Exercising during a hangover should be limited to low- to moderate-intensity exercise, since the hangover will negatively impact cognitive ability, motor control, and coordination. ” Bhatt also recommends low to moderate activity for young, healthy people (and if you’re unhealthy or not feeling well enough, skip it and rest). A review of studies on the effects of a hangover on the brain validated McCall’s caution regarding a hungover person’s potentially impaired attention, decision-making, and muscle coordination. So pass on a high-intensity workout and go for a walk instead.

And, even more than usual, it’s essential to drink water before, during, and after your post-bacchanal sweat session, since the body is already dehydrated from overindulgence in alcohol.

604

Go Back to Bed to Restore Circadian Rhythm

Vera Petrunina/Getty Images

One of the most restorative hangover remedies you can try is simply to get more sleep. It’s believed that many hangover symptoms are due to poor sleep after drinking alcohol, the Mayo Clinic notes. “Alcohol initially can make you feel sleepy; however, it affects sleep because those who consume a lot of alcohol do not get into a deep sleep that is restorative,” says Dr. Agarwal.

The Sleep Foundation further explains that alcohol disrupts your circadian rhythm and prevents some of our crucial REM sleep; it’s unlikely that you’ll fall into a deep, restful sleep after drinking in excess. Poor sleep, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, is linked to irritability and depression, and alcohol, which is a depressant, can exacerbate these effects, notes the American Addiction Centers.

The best way to feel better sooner? Hydrate; eat a meal rich in complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and protein; and sleep as much as possible, says Agarwal. Just know that if you’re often drinking heavily and then sleeping in, this may amount to a problem, Cleveland Clinic notes, as you may start disrupting your day and night sleeping patterns. Bottom line? Try to avoid drinking to excess.

Additional reporting by Wyatt Myers and Brianna Majsiak.

How to get rid of a hangover: a comprehensive guide

Likbez

Health

January 1,

How to get back to life and what to do so that the hangover does not happen again.

When to see a doctor urgently

You don’t die from a hangover. But from alcohol poisoning – quite a. The problem is that it can be difficult to tell the difference between these two states. But you can.

Dial 103 or 112 immediately if the drinking person has these symptoms:

• Confusion (a person does not answer questions, cannot understand where he is).
• Vomiting that cannot be stopped and that does not allow drinking water (everything comes back at once).
• Convulsions.
• Slow breathing – less than 8 breaths per minute.
• Irregular breathing, more than 10 seconds between breaths.
• Very pale to blue skin.
• Low body temperature.
• Fainting that cannot be recovered from. This situation may look like this – a person “falls asleep” and it is impossible to wake him up.

Call an ambulance even if you suspect alcohol poisoning but are not sure if it is. Better to be safe.

And only if there are no dangerous symptoms, you can try to beat the hangover with improvised means.

How to get rid of a hangover

Unfortunately, there are no medicines that could instantly cure a hangover. However, there are ways to survive an unpleasant period less painfully.

Rebalance fluid

Alcohol inhibits the production of vasopressin, a hormone that regulates the amount of urine excreted by the kidneys (which is why it is also called antidiuretic hormone). As a result, under the influence of alcohol, the body begins to actively spend moisture.

If a hangover is also accompanied by sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, a person loses even more water. And dehydration is a sure way to make dizziness, headache, weakness, dry mouth, and other hangover symptoms even worse.

Therefore, the first thing to do is to return the lost moisture to the body. It is best to drink rehydration solutions (from a pharmacy, for example), isotonic sports drinks or chicken broth. But if they do not climb, start with sweet tea, for example, with honey, fruit juice or brine.

Don’t hangover

Doctors honestly admit that it seems that a small dose of alcohol can really alleviate unpleasant morning symptoms.

This is most likely because the hangover is associated with withdrawal syndrome – the so-called deterioration in well-being, when the body is deprived of a psychoactive substance to which it has become accustomed. To get into such a habit, it is not necessary to drink for weeks: in some cases, it is formed literally in a day.

And withdrawal can indeed be delayed or alleviated by splashing yourself with some alcohol. But if the body gets used to alcohol so easily, then a new dose can become a stepping stone to the formation of alcohol dependence. And it’s definitely not in your best interest.

Eat breakfast or at least lunch. But if the urge to vomit has long ceased, and the head continues to split, feel sick and generally very uncomfortable, you may need to eat.

The point is that alcohol lowers blood sugar levels. The effect is especially noticeable if a person drank and did not eat: the brain is sorely lacking in glucose, and it lets you know about it with weakness and headache.

Toast and fruit juice is an easy and safe way to bring your sugar levels back to normal.

Take a walk or exercise a little

If, of course, you have the strength to do so.

Light exercise will not cure a hangover. However, during exercise, the body will produce a dose of endorphins – natural painkillers, which can slightly improve well-being.

Take a pain reliever

This is advice in case you have a headache or achy muscles.

But be careful in choosing products and refuse tablets:

• Based on acetylsalicylic acid. Experts from the American medical organization Mayo Clinic warn that such painkillers can increase stomach irritation.
• Based on paracetamol. In people who regularly abuse alcohol, such pills can cause serious liver damage.

Let yourself sleep

A hangover can last up to 24 hours. They just need to be experienced. It is most comfortable to do this in a dream.

How to look normal with a hangover

To avoid scaring anyone with bags under the eyes and sallow skin, try this:

• Drink more water. One of the key reasons for your hangover look is lack of moisture in your skin.
• Wash your face. And shave if you’re a man.
• Make an oatmeal mask or use a pre-made scrub. Due to a light massage, this will slightly improve blood circulation and at least partially return a healthy glow to your face.
• Make a green tea compress. Thanks to caffeine, brewed tea bags are a good remedy for bags under the eyes.
• Apply light makeup. The key word is light. Even out the tone of the face with transparent means, no sculpting. Mascara is enough for eye makeup, gloss for lips.

How to get rid of fumes

Lifehacker wrote about this in detail here. Short squeeze:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Suitable coffee, as well as black and green tea:
• Brush your teeth thoroughly.
• Rinse your mouth and throat. Ideally, twice: the first with ordinary water, the second with a hygienic mouthwash.
• Take a warm shower. The foul-smelling breakdown products of ethanol are released, including with sweat, so your task is to wash them off.

What to do so that the hangover does not happen again

Most likely, now you are ready to swear that you will never again and never. But last time it was probably the same. Therefore, when you come to your senses, just study the topic and be more responsible about what, when and how you drink.

Choose quality alcohol

Alcohol can be deadly, especially if it’s counterfeit. Methanol poisoning, which cannot be distinguished from ethanol by manual methods, leads to dozens of deaths every year. When taking alcohol, always look:

• At the place of purchase. No questionable stalls and delivery via taxi.
• Price. Good drinks don’t come cheap. Better to lose money than health.
• Packaging. A tightly closed cork, a neck with a dispenser, good label paper are signs of high-quality alcohol. For many manufacturers, you can examine the packaging on the website to compare it with what is sold in the store.
• Excise stamp. You can distinguish real alcohol from a fake using a special service and numbers on the stamp.

Add to bookmarks 🍾

• How to choose alcohol

Be careful with dark-colored drinks

Substances called congeners are responsible for the dark brown color and tart aroma. They irritate the walls of blood vessels and brain tissue, and therefore are associated with a more severe and prolonged hangover.

Clear drinks like vodka or gin have the least amount of congeners.

If you decide to drink, do it wisely

Here are some simple recommendations.

• Do not drink on an empty stomach. Before the party, be sure to have a hearty dinner, preferably carbohydrates (pasta, rice, bread) or fats. Such food will slow down the absorption of alcohol and save you from peak concentrations of alcohol in the blood.
• Know the rate. Try to determine in advance for yourself how much you can drink, and do not cross this border.
• Don’t forget to eat.
• Drink not only alcohol, but also water, juices, non-carbonated soft drinks. It is better to refuse sweet soda: it is believed that it accelerates the absorption of alcohol into the blood, and also gives an additional load on the liver.
• Do not smoke. Smoking combined with alcohol increases the likelihood of suffering the next day.
• Drink slowly. A healthy speed is no more than one drink per hour. Under one drink (one standard drink), doctors mean about 350 ml of beer with a strength of 5%, 100 ml of fortified wine, 150 ml of dry wine or 45 ml of vodka, cognac, whiskey or other drink with a strength of 40 degrees.
• When you go to bed, drink about half a liter of water. And put a glass by the bed – in case the thirst comes to you at night.

This article was first published in February 2018. In December 2021, we updated the text to include more scientifically proven data from trusted sources.

Read also 🥃🧐🥃

• How to know when you’re sober
• How to sober up quickly
• 12 tips to help you stay drunk longer
• How to drink less
• Why you shouldn’t mix vodka with beer and what happens if it happens

How to get rid of a hangover: medicines and simple methods ✅

When it’s too good in the evening, it’s usually very bad in the morning – parties that were too fun often end up that way. But what if you need to be in shape and quickly recover in the morning? A hangover is not a death sentence. There are ways to help deal with bad health.

Hangover: what is it and why does it occur?

First you need to decide what a hangover is and what is the mechanism of its occurrence.

Essentially, a hangover is alcohol poisoning of the body. Ethanol breaks down, the toxin enters the bloodstream, which causes poor health when the whole body is in a fever. Nausea and vomiting occur.

Since alcohol stimulates increased urine production, urination becomes more frequent. And this leads to dehydration. As a result – dry mouth, thirst, feeling that sand was poured into the veins.

In addition, alcohol also irritates the walls of the stomach. With a strong overdose and on an empty stomach, the gastric mucosa is irritated and inflamed. Pain appears in the stomach, nausea intensifies, gastritis may appear.

Reduced blood sugar levels, loss of vitamins and minerals leads to the fact that there is a feeling of weakness, trembling in the limbs, profuse sweating, dizziness.

Ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde in the body. The appearance of this substance causes an accelerated pulse, heartbeat, a person sweats profusely and feels sick.

Alcohol contributes to deep sleep, but this sleep does not help to relax and “reboot” qualitatively. This is due to the fact that when intoxicated, falling asleep, a person skips the first phases of sleep, immediately plunging into a deep sleep. But it is in the phase of REM sleep that the “reboot” of the brain takes place, the memorization of information and its processing. If there is no fast phase, then after waking up there is no feeling of cheerfulness, the person feels overwhelmed and tired, as if he had not rested.

Acetaldehyde, which is formed during the breakdown of ethanol, promotes the production of alkaloids. This is a poison that just causes clouding of consciousness, loss of coordination and deterioration of well-being.

Moreover, alcohol kills brain cells. Ethanol in the blood binds to iron. But it is iron that is responsible for attaching oxygen in the lungs and transporting it to other tissues and to the brain.

When there is ethanol in the blood, the blood cells can no longer absorb oxygen so well. As a result, oxygen-depleted blood enters the brain, which leads to oxygen starvation of the brain. It is in this state that brain cells begin to die en masse. And oxygen starvation causes loss of coordination, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, confusion.

Alcohol poisoning is the result of an excess of poison in the body. The amount that will be critical for each person individually. The dose depends on the strength of the drink, the age of the person, his weight, gender, health status and addiction to alcohol.

And no matter what kind of alcohol you drink – live beer, cheap vodka, fine wine or expensive whiskey – any drink contains ethanol, which is a poison, and if you exaggerate a safe individual dose, it can become poisonous and lead to a severe hangover.

Symptoms of a hangover

Everyone who has had a drink with alcohol knows these symptoms of a hangover:

1. Headache, severe, throbbing, may be one-sided temporal.
2. Frequent urination.
3. Thirst, dry mouth, sensation as if sand in veins.
4. Lack of appetite.
5. Rapid heartbeat.
6. Sweating.
7. Light sensitivity, red eyes, pain and pain in the eyes.
8. Dizziness, incoordination.
9. Confusion, tinnitus, black dots before eyes.
10. Trembling in hands and feet.
11. Psycho-emotional instability, irritability, increased emotionality.
12. Depression, called “adrenaline longing”, is a consequence of the action of toxins on the brain.

3 steps to a cheerful state of health

In order to quickly move away from a hangover, you need to follow three important rules:

№1 Restore the water balance

During intoxication, the body lost a lot of fluid. You are dehydrated. Until you drink enough water and rebalance your metabolism will not help your body get rid of toxins. Therefore, you need to drink as much as possible – at least a couple of glasses of water on an empty stomach in the morning.

№2 More sleep and rest

The body is experiencing poisoning. Physical activity now has a negative impact on health. Therefore, with a hangover, it is recommended to sleep more, you can safely take a walk in the fresh air, take a shower or bath. Water procedures will help to cheer up faster.

#3 Take your medicine

Your body needs support. It is necessary to remove toxins (sorbents, for example, EASYsorb will help with this), restore the water-salt balance (rehydrants, for example, EASYsalt will be required) and return all the lost vitamins and minerals (complex vitamin complexes, for example, Supradin will come to the rescue).

5 reviews

Supradin Active tablets, 30 pcs.

UAH 427.7

In stock

13 reviews

EASYsorb sorbent based on pectin N10

UAH 120.3

In stock

3 reviews

EASYsalt rehydrator soluble in acute diarrhea …

UAH 113.4

In stock

5 tips to help you get rid of a hangover

If you happen to have severe alcohol poisoning and feel bad, these tips will explain how to get rid of a hangover and get back to normal sooner.

Tip #1: Drink plenty.

Drink water, green tea, juices, compotes, fruit drinks. The more you drink, the faster you restore the lost fluid and the faster the body removes toxins, and enlightenment will come. But drinking coffee is undesirable, since this drink, like alcohol, has a diuretic effect and dehydrates the body.

Tip #2: Protein food for tomorrow.

Omelette, soft-boiled eggs, boiled chicken breast, cottage cheese and cheese—these breakfast foods will help your liver process ethanol faster.

Tip #3: pickle to help.

Brine is not useless. This is the simplest home remedy for a hangover to restore the water-salt balance. It is best to drink brine from cucumbers or sauerkraut.

Tip #4: Don’t hangover.

The body is poisoned by yesterday’s dose of alcohol, and you are going to add more to it? Hangover is a myth. Yes, if you drink more alcohol in the morning, it will become easier for a while, but this will be an additional burden on the liver. It is better to drink brine and more water.

Tip #5: Breathe fresh, cool air.

If you go for a walk in the park, then through active breathing with fresh air, the decay products of ethanol will be removed from the body faster.

Irreplaceable cures for a hangover

To recover faster, you need to know what helps with a hangover. There are several types of drugs that will quickly relieve symptoms and bring the body back to normal. Hangover pills are divided into several categories, and all of them are needed during alcohol poisoning.

Toxin cleanser

These are sorbents. Yes, most of the toxins are already in the blood, but you must help the body as much as possible to get rid of everything that poisons it.

For this use sorbents :

• Enetrosgel;
• Alcosorb;
• Sorbimax;
• Alcodez;
• White coal;
• Activated carbon.

To restore the water-salt balance

You have lost a lot of fluids and salts from a hangover. Therefore, you feel bad. To restore the water-salt balance will help the drug in the form of a powder that contains sodium and potassium salts. These are:

• Regidron;
• Hydrovit.

Vitamin-mineral complexes

A lot of vitamins and minerals can be lost overnight. All of them are washed out of the body during frequent urination. In the morning, the level of vitamins and minerals needs to be restored. The best way to deal with this is Supradin in effervescent tablets, an acidic solution that will be very to your taste.

Complex drugs

These are hangover medicines that have a complex effect on all symptoms and quickly relieve the manifestations of alcohol intoxication. These tools include:

• Medichronal;
• Alcoclin.

However, it is better not to prescribe such drugs to yourself, as they are selected individually and may not suit you specifically.

How to understand that you need to call an ambulance: signs of severe poisoning

Sometimes intoxication is so strong that a person needs emergency help. Here are the symptoms that tell you to call an ambulance:

• unbearable headache;
• confusion and inability to answer questions;
• chest pain, feeling of heaviness in the chest, pain radiates to the left arm;
• too rapid pulse;
• pale skin to the point of turning blue;
• low body temperature;
• incessant vomiting when it is impossible to drink.

How to avoid a hangover: tips

Hangovers can be alleviated. But you need to act in advance, even before the party starts, since in its midst it will be too late. These tips will help avoid a hangover or reduce its manifestations:

1. Drink less. The less alcohol, the less poisoning.
2. Before you start drinking, you need to eat very well. Firstly, on a full stomach, alcohol is absorbed more slowly, and, secondly, there is less risk of causing gastritis.
3. Drink plenty of water before, during and after drinking. Between glasses, a glass of water will be very helpful.
4. Dark and colored drinks cause more severe poisoning.
5. The degree cannot be lowered. If you started with wine, then move on to whiskey and tequila, but not vice versa. It is better not to mix different types of alcohol at all, since mixing causes inflammation of the walls of the stomach.

Do you know how globally the summer heat affects the body? Literally all organs and systems suffer. And if you do not know how to properly cool yourself in the heat and regulate body temperature, then the occurrence of painful conditions is not excluded. But this can be avoided. Read our article on how heat and dehydration affect the body.