How long does a hangover typically last. What are the most effective ways to cure a hangover. Which foods and drinks can help alleviate hangover symptoms. Are there any over-the-counter medications that can provide relief. How can you prevent a hangover before drinking alcohol.

Understanding Hangovers: Causes, Symptoms, and Duration

Hangovers are an unpleasant consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. They occur when your blood alcohol level drops close to zero after being elevated. Dr. Shelley Shafer of UnityPoint Health explains that hangovers typically resolve within 24 hours, but those hours can be quite uncomfortable due to various symptoms.

Common hangover symptoms include:

• 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 everyone’s body reacts differently to alcohol. Factors such as age, size, and life experience can influence how an individual tolerates alcohol and experiences hangover symptoms.

How long do hangovers typically last?

Most hangovers resolve within 24 hours. However, the severity and duration can vary depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and individual factors. Some people may feel better after a few hours, while others might experience symptoms for a full day or longer.

Preventing Hangovers: Strategies for Responsible Drinking

While the most effective way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from alcohol entirely, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk if you choose to drink:

1. Pace yourself: The liver processes approximately one drink per hour. As we age, this process may slow down, so consider spreading out your drinks even further.
2. Stay hydrated: Drink at least 64 ounces of water the day before consuming alcohol. For each alcoholic beverage, have at least one glass of water.
3. Know your limits: Women should consume fewer than seven drinks per week, while men should have no more than 14. Exceeding these limits may indicate a potential drinking problem.

Is it true that mixing different types of alcohol makes hangovers worse?

The old saying “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear” is not scientifically backed. The order in which you consume different types of alcohol doesn’t significantly impact hangover severity. What matters most is the total amount of alcohol consumed and how quickly you drink it.

Effective Hangover Remedies: Expert-Recommended Solutions

While there’s no magic cure for hangovers, Dr. Shafer suggests several methods that may help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery:

1. Hydration is key

Alcohol causes dehydration by increasing urination. To combat this, drink plenty of water. Electrolyte-rich beverages like Pedialyte or sports drinks can be even more effective, as they help direct water to the areas of the body where it’s needed most.

2. Boost your blood sugar

Alcohol consumption can lead to low blood sugar. Eating a breakfast high in carbohydrates or drinking a glass of juice can help stabilize your sugar levels while your body processes the remaining alcohol.

3. Consider caffeine

Coffee can help with hangover headaches and provide an energy boost. The caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant, increasing heart rate and constricting blood vessels, which can alleviate headache symptoms. However, moderation is key – you don’t need excessive amounts to feel the benefits.

4. Take a multivitamin

While not a cure-all, taking your daily multivitamin won’t hurt and may provide a small benefit. Many multivitamins contain B vitamins, which can help with energy levels.

5. Avoid eating before bed

Contrary to popular belief, eating after drinking to “soak up” the alcohol is not advisable. A full stomach at the end of the night can lead to indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, as alcohol slows stomach emptying.

6. Increase potassium intake

If you’re experiencing muscle aches, consuming potassium-rich foods like bananas can offer some relief. You’ll also get some potassium from electrolyte drinks.

7. Avoid the “hair of the dog”

Having another alcoholic drink in the morning won’t help your hangover. In fact, it only prolongs the inevitable onset of hangover symptoms by raising your blood alcohol level again.

8. Use over-the-counter pain medication cautiously

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with hangover symptoms, but use them with caution. Both alcohol and acetaminophen are processed by the liver, so frequent combined use can cause liver damage. Ibuprofen and alcohol both have gastrointestinal side effects, increasing the risk of bleeding and ulcers.

The Science Behind Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol’s Effects on the Body

To better comprehend why hangovers occur and how to combat them, it’s essential to understand how alcohol affects the body:

• Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and leads to fluid loss.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Along with fluid loss, essential electrolytes are depleted, affecting various bodily functions.
• Gastrointestinal disturbances: Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and increases acid production, leading to nausea and stomach pain.
• Sleep disruption: While alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, it disrupts the sleep cycle, leading to poor quality rest.
• Inflammation: Alcohol triggers an inflammatory response in the body, contributing to various hangover symptoms.

Understanding these mechanisms can help in developing more effective strategies for hangover prevention and relief.

The Role of Genetics in Hangover Susceptibility

Recent research has shed light on the genetic factors that may influence an individual’s susceptibility to hangovers. Some people seem to be more resistant to hangovers, while others experience severe symptoms after minimal alcohol consumption.

What genetic factors influence hangover severity?

Studies have identified several genes that may play a role in hangover susceptibility:

• ADH and ALDH genes: These genes encode enzymes responsible for alcohol metabolism. Variations in these genes can affect how quickly alcohol is processed in the body.
• GABRA2 gene: This gene is associated with the brain’s response to alcohol and may influence hangover severity.
• Cytokine genes: These genes regulate the body’s inflammatory response, which can impact hangover symptoms.

While genetic factors play a role, it’s important to remember that environmental factors and personal behaviors still significantly influence hangover experiences.

The Impact of Age on Hangover Severity and Recovery

As we age, our bodies’ ability to process alcohol changes, often leading to more severe hangovers and longer recovery times. Several factors contribute to this age-related change in alcohol tolerance:

1. Decreased liver function: The liver’s capacity to metabolize alcohol may decline with age.
2. Reduced body water content: Older adults typically have less body water, leading to higher blood alcohol concentrations from the same amount of alcohol.
3. Changes in alcohol dehydrogenase levels: This enzyme, responsible for breaking down alcohol, may become less efficient with age.
4. Medication interactions: As we age, we’re more likely to take medications that can interact with alcohol, potentially exacerbating hangover symptoms.

How can older adults minimize hangover risks?

To reduce the likelihood and severity of hangovers, older adults should:

• Drink in moderation
• Stay well-hydrated before, during, and after alcohol consumption
• Eat a nutritious meal before drinking
• Be aware of potential interactions between alcohol and medications
• Allow more time between drinks to account for slower alcohol metabolism

The Psychological Aspects of Hangovers: Anxiety and Mood Disturbances

While the physical symptoms of hangovers are well-known, the psychological effects are often overlooked. Many people experience anxiety, depression, or mood swings during a hangover, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “hangxiety.”

Why do hangovers often come with anxiety or low mood?

Several factors contribute to the psychological aspects of hangovers:

• Neurotransmitter imbalance: Alcohol disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, affecting mood regulation.
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: These physical effects can influence brain function and mood.
• Sleep disruption: Poor quality sleep can exacerbate anxiety and irritability.
• Guilt or regret: Reflecting on behaviors or decisions made while intoxicated can lead to feelings of anxiety or shame.

To address the psychological aspects of hangovers, consider practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in light exercise if physically able, and reaching out to supportive friends or family members.

Long-Term Health Implications of Frequent Hangovers

While occasional hangovers may seem like a minor inconvenience, frequent and severe hangovers can be indicative of problematic drinking patterns and may have long-term health consequences.

What are the potential long-term effects of frequent hangovers?

Regular experiences of severe hangovers may be associated with:

• Liver damage: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
• Cardiovascular problems: Heavy drinking can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
• Cognitive impairment: Frequent alcohol abuse may lead to memory problems and increased risk of dementia.
• Mental health issues: Chronic heavy drinking is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders.
• Weakened immune system: Regular alcohol abuse can make you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

If you find yourself experiencing frequent hangovers or struggling to control your alcohol consumption, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional or support group.

Innovative Hangover Prevention and Treatment Products

As awareness of hangover-related issues grows, so does the market for hangover prevention and treatment products. While many of these products lack substantial scientific evidence, some show promise in alleviating hangover symptoms:

What are some emerging hangover prevention and treatment products?

• Vitamin and mineral supplements: Formulated to replenish nutrients depleted by alcohol consumption.
• Herbal remedies: Some herbs, like milk thistle and ginger, are believed to support liver function and reduce nausea.
• Electrolyte powders: Designed to quickly rehydrate and restore electrolyte balance.
• Hangover pills: Often contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and herbs aimed at supporting liver function and reducing inflammation.
• IV therapy: Some clinics offer intravenous fluids and vitamins to rapidly rehydrate and replenish nutrients.

While these products may provide some relief, it’s important to approach them with caution and consult with a healthcare professional before use. The most effective hangover prevention remains moderate alcohol consumption and proper hydration.

In conclusion, understanding the science behind hangovers, implementing preventive strategies, and knowing how to effectively manage symptoms can help mitigate the negative effects of alcohol consumption. Remember, the safest approach is always to drink responsibly and within recommended limits. If you find yourself struggling with alcohol-related issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

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.

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Drink Lots of Water to Replenish Lost Fluids

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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

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Guzzle Sports Drinks to Hasten Rehydration

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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.

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Restore Energy With Vitamin B and Protect Immunity With Vitamin C

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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.

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Boost Your Blood Sugar With Carbohydrates

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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.

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Have Chamomile to Reduce ‘Hangxiety’

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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.

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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.

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Try Ginger to Ease Nausea

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.