How can you alleviate a hangover headache using proven methods. What are the most effective home remedies for hangover-related head pain. Why do hangovers cause headaches and what are the key symptoms to recognize.

Understanding Hangover Headaches: Causes and Symptoms

Hangover headaches are a common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. They occur as part of a cluster of symptoms that can make the day after drinking particularly unpleasant. But what exactly causes these headaches?

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, leading to increased urine production and subsequent dehydration. This loss of fluids and electrolytes plays a significant role in the development of hangover headaches. Additionally, alcohol causes blood vessels to expand, which can trigger headaches in susceptible individuals.

The primary symptoms of a hangover headache include:

• Throbbing pain, often concentrated in the forehead and temples
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Nausea and general malaise

Scientifically-Backed Treatments for Hangover Headaches

While many hangover remedies lack scientific evidence, several treatments have shown promise in alleviating hangover headaches:

1. Vitamin B6 Supplementation

Can Vitamin B6 help with hangover headaches? Research suggests it might. Alcohol depletes B vitamins in the body, and supplementing with Vitamin B6 may aid in alcohol metabolism and potentially reduce hangover symptoms, including headaches.

2. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs can effectively combat hangover-related inflammation and headache pain. However, it’s crucial to use them cautiously, as they may increase the risk of stomach bleeding when combined with alcohol. It’s important to note that acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be avoided during and after drinking due to potential liver damage.

3. Electrolyte-Rich Beverages

Replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes is essential in combating hangover symptoms. Sports drinks like Gatorade can be particularly effective in restoring hydration levels quickly. However, be mindful of sugar content, as excessive sugar intake may exacerbate hangover symptoms.

4. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)

NAC is an amino acid that may help counteract the toxic effects of acetaldehyde, a compound associated with hangover symptoms. Taking a 200-300mg NAC supplement before drinking could potentially reduce the severity of hangover headaches.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments for Hangover Relief

In addition to the scientifically-backed treatments, several home remedies and lifestyle adjustments can help alleviate hangover headaches:

1. Proper Nutrition

Eating before, during, and after alcohol consumption can significantly impact the severity of hangover symptoms. A well-balanced meal can help:

• Stabilize blood sugar levels
• Reduce acid buildup in the blood
• Maintain vitamin levels

Why is eating important when drinking? Food in the stomach slows alcohol absorption, potentially reducing the intensity of hangover symptoms. Additionally, certain nutrients can help counteract the depletion caused by alcohol consumption.

2. Hydration Strategies

Proper hydration is crucial in preventing and alleviating hangover headaches. Consider the following hydration tips:

• Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water
• Consume a glass of water before bed after drinking
• Aim for 16 ounces of water for every 12-ounce beer or 4-6 ounce cocktail

Which beverages are most effective for hangover hydration? While plain water is excellent, drinks rich in electrolytes can be particularly beneficial. Options include:

• Coconut water
• Electrolyte-enhanced water
• Sports drinks (in moderation due to sugar content)

3. Gentle Exercise

Can exercise help alleviate a hangover headache? While intense workouts are not recommended, light exercise may aid in metabolizing alcohol and related toxins more quickly. However, it’s crucial to stay well-hydrated during any physical activity while hungover.

Preventive Measures: Minimizing the Risk of Hangover Headaches

The most effective way to avoid a hangover headache is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Consider these preventive strategies:

1. Moderation in Alcohol Consumption

How much alcohol can you drink without risking a hangover? While individual tolerance varies, generally limiting intake to one drink per hour and no more than four drinks in a single session can help reduce the risk of hangover symptoms.

2. Choose Your Drinks Wisely

Are some types of alcohol less likely to cause hangovers? While all alcoholic beverages can potentially lead to hangovers, some may be less problematic than others. Clear spirits like vodka and gin tend to produce less severe hangovers compared to darker alcohols like whiskey or red wine, which contain higher levels of congeners (byproducts of fermentation).

3. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Night

How can you maintain hydration while drinking? Alternating between alcoholic beverages and water or other non-alcoholic drinks can help maintain hydration levels and potentially reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.

Understanding the Limitations of Hangover Remedies

While various treatments and home remedies can help alleviate hangover headaches, it’s important to recognize their limitations. Many popular hangover “cures” lack scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Additionally, individual responses to hangover remedies can vary significantly.

Why do some people experience worse hangovers than others? Factors such as genetics, overall health, and drinking habits can all influence an individual’s susceptibility to hangovers and the effectiveness of various remedies.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Hangover Symptoms

While most hangover headaches resolve on their own with time and proper care, certain situations may warrant medical attention:

• Severe, persistent headache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Confusion or difficulty maintaining consciousness
• Seizures or tremors
• Vomiting blood or passing blood in stool
• Signs of severe dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat

When should you be concerned about hangover symptoms? If hangover symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or worsen over time, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

The Long-Term Impact of Frequent Hangovers

While occasional hangovers may seem like a minor inconvenience, frequent occurrences can have more serious implications for overall health:

1. Cognitive Function

Can repeated hangovers affect brain function? Research suggests that frequent hangovers may be associated with decreased cognitive performance, particularly in areas such as attention, memory, and decision-making.

2. Liver Health

How does frequent alcohol consumption impact the liver? Regular heavy drinking and subsequent hangovers can contribute to liver damage over time, potentially leading to conditions such as fatty liver disease or cirrhosis.

3. Mental Health

Is there a link between frequent hangovers and mental health issues? Some studies have found associations between regular heavy drinking and increased risk of anxiety and depression. The cycle of drinking and experiencing hangovers can also contribute to mood disturbances and decreased overall well-being.

Understanding these potential long-term effects underscores the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption and implementing effective strategies to minimize hangover symptoms when they do occur.

Innovative Approaches to Hangover Prevention and Treatment

As research in the field of alcohol metabolism and hangover prevention continues, new approaches are emerging:

1. Hangover Prevention Supplements

Are there effective supplements for preventing hangovers? While more research is needed, some promising ingredients being studied include:

• Dihydromyricetin (DHM): A compound found in some tree species that may help reduce alcohol intoxication and hangover symptoms
• Prickly pear extract: Shown in some studies to reduce inflammation associated with hangovers
• Milk thistle: Known for its potential liver-protective properties

It’s important to note that while these supplements show promise, their efficacy and safety profiles are still being evaluated.

2. Hangover IV Treatments

What are hangover IV treatments, and do they work? Some clinics now offer intravenous (IV) treatments claiming to provide rapid relief from hangover symptoms. These treatments typically include a combination of fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and sometimes medications.

While some individuals report positive experiences with these treatments, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Additionally, they can be expensive and carry risks associated with IV administration.

3. Alcohol Alternatives

Can non-alcoholic beverages provide a similar social experience without the risk of hangovers? The market for sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks is growing, offering alternatives that mimic the flavors and social experience of alcoholic beverages without the negative effects. These include:

• Non-alcoholic spirits
• Alcohol-free wines
• Craft non-alcoholic beers

Exploring these options may provide a way to enjoy social situations without the risk of hangover headaches.

The Role of Sleep in Hangover Recovery

Quality sleep plays a crucial role in recovering from a hangover, including alleviating headache symptoms. However, alcohol can significantly disrupt sleep patterns:

1. Alcohol and Sleep Quality

How does alcohol affect sleep? While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it typically leads to poorer quality sleep, characterized by:

• Reduced REM sleep
• More frequent awakenings
• Less restorative deep sleep

2. Strategies for Better Sleep After Drinking

What can you do to improve sleep quality after drinking? Consider these tips:

• Allow sufficient time between your last drink and bedtime
• Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment
• Avoid screens before bed to reduce blue light exposure
• Consider using a white noise machine or app to promote relaxation

Prioritizing good sleep hygiene can significantly impact how quickly you recover from a hangover and reduce the severity of headache symptoms.

The Importance of Emotional and Mental Well-being

The psychological aspects of hangovers, often referred to as “hangxiety,” can exacerbate physical symptoms like headaches. Addressing mental well-being is crucial for comprehensive hangover recovery:

1. Managing Hangover-Related Anxiety

Why do some people experience anxiety during a hangover? Alcohol withdrawal can cause temporary changes in brain chemistry, leading to feelings of anxiety or low mood. Strategies to manage these feelings include:

• Practicing mindfulness or meditation
• Engaging in light, enjoyable activities
• Connecting with supportive friends or family

2. Addressing Long-term Alcohol Use Concerns

When should you consider reevaluating your relationship with alcohol? If you find yourself frequently experiencing severe hangovers or if drinking is impacting your daily life, it may be time to reassess your alcohol consumption. Resources for support include:

• Healthcare providers
• Counseling services
• Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and can lead to improved overall well-being.

In conclusion, while hangover headaches can be a painful and disruptive experience, various evidence-based treatments and home remedies can help alleviate symptoms. By understanding the causes of hangover headaches, implementing preventive measures, and knowing how to effectively manage symptoms when they occur, you can minimize the impact of hangovers on your life. Remember that moderation is key, and if you have concerns about your alcohol consumption or hangover experiences, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.

Treatments, Home Remedies, Causes, and Symptoms

Hangover headaches are no fun. It’s well known that drinking too much alcohol can cause a variety of symptoms the next day. A headache is just one of them.

It’s easy to find tons of purported hangover headache “cures” that you can make at home and even buy in stores. But most of them have no reliable scientific research that proves they work.

The best way to avoid a hangover headache is to limit how much alcohol you drink in one sitting. Still, we’ve also got some tips that can help you reduce your chances of having a headache, and a few to ease your pain in case you’ve already got one.

First, let’s talk about some of the remedies that do have some scientific evidence to back them up.

1. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient that’s found in all sorts of common foods, such as poultry, potatoes, and fruit. Alcohol reduces your levels of B vitamins, making it harder for your body to metabolize and eliminate alcohol.

Loading up on extra B6 with a hearty meal or taking a dietary supplement can help your body get rid of alcohol faster. This may help you avoid a hangover headache, whether you take B6 before or after you drink.

2. NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help decrease inflammation in your body associated with drinking. NSAIDS block the production of enzymes that lead to headaches and migraines. Taking a small dose of NSAIDs may help ward off a hangover headache.

Just take it easy on the doses. Combined with alcohol, NSAIDs can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Never take acetaminophen (Tylenol) when you drink or when you’re hungover. Acetaminophen makes it harder for your body to process alcohol and can damage your liver.

Your liver is already working overtime to get excess alcohol out of your body. Too much Tylenol — over 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period — while hungover can lead to dangerous liver swelling or liver failure.

3.

Fitness drinks

Hydration is a must when you drink. Alcohol can dehydrate you and drain your body of electrolytes.

Drinking a beverage that’s packed with additional electrolytes can help you restore your electrolyte balance and remain hydrated.

A 2014 study from the Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley found that fitness drinks like Gatorade were better for quick hydration after intense exercise. So they may get you hydrated faster than regular water after a night of drinking.

Just don’t overdo it. Some drinks can contain up to 36 grams of sugar for a 20-ounce serving. Excess sugar can make your hangover symptoms worse.

4. N-acetyl-cysteine

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a natural amino acid that helps your body fight against the toxic effects of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a chemical compound associated with many hangover symptoms, including headaches. As acetaldehyde levels rise, your glutathione levels decrease. Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant that prevents cell damage in your liver.

Take a 200- to 300-milligram (mg) NAC supplement at least half an hour before you start drinking. This could reduce the impact of acetaldehyde on your liver and make your hangover symptoms much less severe.

5. Light exercise

In general, exercising the day after you drink isn’t recommended.

But light exercise can help your body speed along its metabolic processes, ridding your body of alcohol and related toxins more quickly. Just make sure you stay hydrated since your body is already battling the effects of dehydration while you’re hung over.

Already nursing that hangover headache? Here are eight tips to minimize your pain.

1. Make sure to eat

Eat before, during, and after consuming alcohol. Here are a few reasons why this helps:

• Eating helps keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Low blood sugar can make a hangover headache worse.
• Keeping your blood sugar levels up can also limit how much acid builds up in your blood. This may prevent headaches as well as other symptoms, like nausea and exhaustion.
• Drinking causes a loss of vitamins that can lead to hangover symptoms, such as headache. Eating can keep your vitamin levels up, and potentially prevent some of those hangover symptoms.

2. Drink water

Try this: Have a glass or bottle of water with every drink.

Or, try drinking water both before and after you have alcohol. Have 1 cup or a 16-ounce bottle of water for every 12-ounce beer or 4- to 6-ounce cocktail you drink.

The following drinks can all help you stay hydrated and minimize hangover headaches:

• good ol’ plain water
• Gatorade or Powerade
• coconut water
• alkaline water enhanced with additional electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium

Why? because alcohol’s a diuretic — it causes your body to increase how much urine it produces. This makes you lose fluids and electrolytes at a faster rate, so you’ll get dehydrated much more quickly. And if you end up vomiting from having too much alcohol, you’ll lose even more fluids.

Preventing dehydration means your hangover symptoms will be much less severe, if you have any at all. And hydration has plenty of other benefits, too.

3. Choose light-colored drinks

The darker the drink, the worse your hangover may be. This is because distilled, dark-colored drinks like whiskey, bourbon, and brandy contain large amounts of congeners.

Congeners result from the distillation or fermentation process used to produce these darker liquors. Some common congeners include:

• tannins
• acetone
• acetaldehyde

Congeners are much more likely to result in hangover symptoms, including headaches. Opt for light-colored drinks like vodka to minimize your hangover blues the day after.

4. Know your limits

This one’s straightforward: Don’t feel pressured to drink more than you’re comfortable with, or at all, if you’re not feeling it. Your limits aren’t the same as everyone else’s, and you may not always feel like drinking when the people around you are.

The second part of this is to listen to your body and use your past experiences as a reference. Maybe one drink is fine, but two or more starts to make you dizzy, lightheaded, and leads to a splitting headache the next day. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

5. Limit yourself

Your body metabolizes a typical serving of alcohol (about 16 fluid ounces) in the course of an hour or so. So, limit yourself to one drink per hour.

Spreading your alcohol consumption out over this time allows your body to flush out alcohol efficiently so that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) stays low and is essentially cleared out of your body before the next day. This may help you avoid hangover symptoms altogether.

6. Skip “hair of the dog”

“Hair of the dog” refers to having some of the same alcohol the next morning that you had the night before.

Research proving that it works is limited. Plus, drinking more alcohol when your body is already dealing with hangover symptoms can either make them worse or only be a temporary fix before your symptoms return.

7. Skip the hangover recipes

Don’t listen to all the weird, outlandish recipes that are purported to help “cure” a hangover. Ingredients like raw eggs, spices, and the numerous preservatives used in processed or fast foods can make symptoms like nausea and vomiting worse.

Stick with basic, protein-packed, vitamin-rich foods like:

• bananas
• eggs
• nuts
• spinach

8. Remember, everyone is different

Not everyone feels the same effects of their drinking the morning after. In fact, your genes alone account for nearly half of the variables that contribute to how your body reacts to alcohol.

The other half of the variables that contribute to your hangover include:

• whether you’re male or female
• how much you weigh
• what medications you’re taking
• how much you’ve eaten
• enzyme deficiencies that make you flush or get sick when you consume alcohol
• how quickly you drink (one drink an hour vs. several drinks in a single hour)

Alcohol contains a chemical called ethanol. As you drink alcohol, your stomach absorbs about 20 percent of this ethanol while your small intestine absorbs the rest. From the small intestine, ethanol travels into the bloodstream and throughout your body, including your brain.

Ethanol’s diuretic effects can also quickly dehydrate you, and a headache is just one of many symptoms of dehydration.

In your bloodstream, ethanol can cause headaches through vasodilation. This means that it makes your blood vessels expand. Vasodilation can stimulate certain brain nerves and result in pain. Alcohol also affects chemicals and hormones in your brain, such as histamine and serotonin, which contribute to the development of a headache.

Having too much alcohol at one time can lead to alcohol poisoning. If untreated, alcohol poisoning can have long-term consequences or may even result in death.

Get emergency medical help if you or anyone you’re drinking with notices any of the following symptoms:

• feeling confused
• skin changing color to dark blue or purple
• throwing up
• breathing slowing down (inhaling and exhaling fewer than eight times a minute)
• pausing between breaths (10 or more seconds)
• chills
• seizures
• falling unconscious and being unable to wake up

If you find that you’re not able to control how much you drink or stop yourself from drinking even if it’s causing you physical or emotional pain, you may need to seek treatment for alcoholism.

The first step towards confronting alcoholism is acknowledging that you have an alcohol problem, as well as the toll it may be taking on your life. Once you’ve reached this important milestone, talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a counselor who can help recommend treatment for alcohol dependence. Remember, you’re not alone.

The key to avoiding a hangover headache is moderation. Take it slow when you drink alcohol. Try sipping instead of gulping or pounding shots.

But it you’re already dealing with a hangover, try one or more of these tips to see what works for you. Start with eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water before, during, and after drinking.

Taking preventative measures is the best way to stop a hangover headache before it ever starts.

Treatments, Home Remedies, Causes, and Symptoms

Hangover headaches are no fun. It’s well known that drinking too much alcohol can cause a variety of symptoms the next day. A headache is just one of them.

It’s easy to find tons of purported hangover headache “cures” that you can make at home and even buy in stores. But most of them have no reliable scientific research that proves they work.

The best way to avoid a hangover headache is to limit how much alcohol you drink in one sitting. Still, we’ve also got some tips that can help you reduce your chances of having a headache, and a few to ease your pain in case you’ve already got one.

First, let’s talk about some of the remedies that do have some scientific evidence to back them up.

1. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient that’s found in all sorts of common foods, such as poultry, potatoes, and fruit. Alcohol reduces your levels of B vitamins, making it harder for your body to metabolize and eliminate alcohol.

Loading up on extra B6 with a hearty meal or taking a dietary supplement can help your body get rid of alcohol faster. This may help you avoid a hangover headache, whether you take B6 before or after you drink.

2. NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help decrease inflammation in your body associated with drinking. NSAIDS block the production of enzymes that lead to headaches and migraines. Taking a small dose of NSAIDs may help ward off a hangover headache.

Just take it easy on the doses. Combined with alcohol, NSAIDs can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Never take acetaminophen (Tylenol) when you drink or when you’re hungover. Acetaminophen makes it harder for your body to process alcohol and can damage your liver.

Your liver is already working overtime to get excess alcohol out of your body. Too much Tylenol — over 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period — while hungover can lead to dangerous liver swelling or liver failure.

3. Fitness drinks

Hydration is a must when you drink. Alcohol can dehydrate you and drain your body of electrolytes.

Drinking a beverage that’s packed with additional electrolytes can help you restore your electrolyte balance and remain hydrated.

A 2014 study from the Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley found that fitness drinks like Gatorade were better for quick hydration after intense exercise. So they may get you hydrated faster than regular water after a night of drinking.

Just don’t overdo it. Some drinks can contain up to 36 grams of sugar for a 20-ounce serving. Excess sugar can make your hangover symptoms worse.

4. N-acetyl-cysteine

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a natural amino acid that helps your body fight against the toxic effects of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a chemical compound associated with many hangover symptoms, including headaches. As acetaldehyde levels rise, your glutathione levels decrease. Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant that prevents cell damage in your liver.

Take a 200- to 300-milligram (mg) NAC supplement at least half an hour before you start drinking. This could reduce the impact of acetaldehyde on your liver and make your hangover symptoms much less severe.

5. Light exercise

In general, exercising the day after you drink isn’t recommended.

But light exercise can help your body speed along its metabolic processes, ridding your body of alcohol and related toxins more quickly. Just make sure you stay hydrated since your body is already battling the effects of dehydration while you’re hung over.

Already nursing that hangover headache? Here are eight tips to minimize your pain.

1. Make sure to eat

Eat before, during, and after consuming alcohol. Here are a few reasons why this helps:

• Eating helps keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Low blood sugar can make a hangover headache worse.
• Keeping your blood sugar levels up can also limit how much acid builds up in your blood. This may prevent headaches as well as other symptoms, like nausea and exhaustion.
• Drinking causes a loss of vitamins that can lead to hangover symptoms, such as headache. Eating can keep your vitamin levels up, and potentially prevent some of those hangover symptoms.

2. Drink water

Try this: Have a glass or bottle of water with every drink.

Or, try drinking water both before and after you have alcohol. Have 1 cup or a 16-ounce bottle of water for every 12-ounce beer or 4- to 6-ounce cocktail you drink.

The following drinks can all help you stay hydrated and minimize hangover headaches:

• good ol’ plain water
• Gatorade or Powerade
• coconut water
• alkaline water enhanced with additional electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium

Why? because alcohol’s a diuretic — it causes your body to increase how much urine it produces. This makes you lose fluids and electrolytes at a faster rate, so you’ll get dehydrated much more quickly. And if you end up vomiting from having too much alcohol, you’ll lose even more fluids.

Preventing dehydration means your hangover symptoms will be much less severe, if you have any at all. And hydration has plenty of other benefits, too.

3.

Choose light-colored drinks

The darker the drink, the worse your hangover may be. This is because distilled, dark-colored drinks like whiskey, bourbon, and brandy contain large amounts of congeners.

Congeners result from the distillation or fermentation process used to produce these darker liquors. Some common congeners include:

• tannins
• acetone
• acetaldehyde

Congeners are much more likely to result in hangover symptoms, including headaches. Opt for light-colored drinks like vodka to minimize your hangover blues the day after.

4. Know your limits

This one’s straightforward: Don’t feel pressured to drink more than you’re comfortable with, or at all, if you’re not feeling it. Your limits aren’t the same as everyone else’s, and you may not always feel like drinking when the people around you are.

The second part of this is to listen to your body and use your past experiences as a reference. Maybe one drink is fine, but two or more starts to make you dizzy, lightheaded, and leads to a splitting headache the next day. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

5. Limit yourself

Your body metabolizes a typical serving of alcohol (about 16 fluid ounces) in the course of an hour or so. So, limit yourself to one drink per hour.

Spreading your alcohol consumption out over this time allows your body to flush out alcohol efficiently so that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) stays low and is essentially cleared out of your body before the next day. This may help you avoid hangover symptoms altogether.

6. Skip “hair of the dog”

“Hair of the dog” refers to having some of the same alcohol the next morning that you had the night before.

Research proving that it works is limited. Plus, drinking more alcohol when your body is already dealing with hangover symptoms can either make them worse or only be a temporary fix before your symptoms return.

7. Skip the hangover recipes

Don’t listen to all the weird, outlandish recipes that are purported to help “cure” a hangover. Ingredients like raw eggs, spices, and the numerous preservatives used in processed or fast foods can make symptoms like nausea and vomiting worse.

Stick with basic, protein-packed, vitamin-rich foods like:

• bananas
• eggs
• nuts
• spinach

8. Remember, everyone is different

Not everyone feels the same effects of their drinking the morning after. In fact, your genes alone account for nearly half of the variables that contribute to how your body reacts to alcohol.

The other half of the variables that contribute to your hangover include:

• whether you’re male or female
• how much you weigh
• what medications you’re taking
• how much you’ve eaten
• enzyme deficiencies that make you flush or get sick when you consume alcohol
• how quickly you drink (one drink an hour vs. several drinks in a single hour)

Alcohol contains a chemical called ethanol. As you drink alcohol, your stomach absorbs about 20 percent of this ethanol while your small intestine absorbs the rest. From the small intestine, ethanol travels into the bloodstream and throughout your body, including your brain.

Ethanol’s diuretic effects can also quickly dehydrate you, and a headache is just one of many symptoms of dehydration.

In your bloodstream, ethanol can cause headaches through vasodilation. This means that it makes your blood vessels expand. Vasodilation can stimulate certain brain nerves and result in pain. Alcohol also affects chemicals and hormones in your brain, such as histamine and serotonin, which contribute to the development of a headache.

Having too much alcohol at one time can lead to alcohol poisoning. If untreated, alcohol poisoning can have long-term consequences or may even result in death.

Get emergency medical help if you or anyone you’re drinking with notices any of the following symptoms:

• feeling confused
• skin changing color to dark blue or purple
• throwing up
• breathing slowing down (inhaling and exhaling fewer than eight times a minute)
• pausing between breaths (10 or more seconds)
• chills
• seizures
• falling unconscious and being unable to wake up

If you find that you’re not able to control how much you drink or stop yourself from drinking even if it’s causing you physical or emotional pain, you may need to seek treatment for alcoholism.

The first step towards confronting alcoholism is acknowledging that you have an alcohol problem, as well as the toll it may be taking on your life. Once you’ve reached this important milestone, talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a counselor who can help recommend treatment for alcohol dependence. Remember, you’re not alone.

The key to avoiding a hangover headache is moderation. Take it slow when you drink alcohol. Try sipping instead of gulping or pounding shots.

But it you’re already dealing with a hangover, try one or more of these tips to see what works for you. Start with eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water before, during, and after drinking.

Taking preventative measures is the best way to stop a hangover headache before it ever starts.

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A hangover is a natural retribution for deliberately poisoning your body with toxic substances. Ethyl alcohol in itself is harmful to the nervous system, organs and tissues, and as it breaks down, it forms no less toxic metabolites – acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Moreover, it is acetaldehyde that is about 20 times more toxic than the original alcohol. Add here also the impurities that are in almost any drink, not always the perfect snack, general health and the amount of alcohol consumed.

All these components determine the duration and severity of a hangover. In addition, the rate of alcohol elimination is affected by the activity of the enzyme – alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the more it is, the easier it will be for you in the morning. If the party turned into a severe hangover, not all foods and drinks are suitable to deal with it. “Doctor Peter”, together with the gastroenterologist and therapist Vera Samsonova, figured out what can and cannot be taken after violent libations in order to recover the next morning.

No alcohol can be used as a hangover cure. Even if you think it will be much better. Beer, wine and Bloody Mary cocktails are banned. The body is already full of metabolic products that poison it, and it is important to get rid of these toxins as soon as possible, and not to poison the body even more. But if you are completely healthy and do not suffer from alcohol addiction, then the mere thought of drinking alcohol will cause an attack of nausea.

If the idea of ​​a hangover does not meet with negativity, this is already an alarming sign. A hangover is necessary for people suffering from alcohol addiction, who no longer have a hangover syndrome, but abstinence. The craving for alcoholic beverages in order to get a hangover is the body’s dependence on ethyl alcohol, a painful craving for this poison.

If you hangover after a party, you can go into a many-day binge, which will be taken out by narcologists in the hospital. Plus, it’s worth remembering that even if you are not an alcoholic, but decide to have a hangover, relief will come for 2-3 hours, then it will get even worse.

If you have an excruciating headache in the morning, the first solution for many is to take an aspirin. This is one of the “traditions” of dealing with a hangover. But this practice is dangerous, because often the stomach is already irritated by alcohol, then acetylsalicylic acid can provoke pain and heartburn at best, and at worst – stomach bleeding.

But replacing aspirin with ibuprofen will not work – it only eliminates pain during inflammation, but not with toxicosis. It is no less dangerous to take paracetamol, it has an extremely negative effect on the liver, which is already exhausted by alcohol. Under the ban and citramon is a combination of aspirin with paracetamol, that is, a double blow to the body.

In case of a hangover headache, only time, warm tea with sugar and lemon, rest, peace will help. It is better to refuse painkillers.

Although many people think that a cup of coffee will invigorate and bring you to your senses, it is not the best choice when you have a hangover. First of all, large amounts of caffeine can cause stomach irritation and increased nausea. In addition, coffee has a diuretic effect, and after violent drinking, the body already suffers from dehydration and toxicosis.

Therefore, it is better to drink water in the morning, and plenty of it. A cup of coffee, preferably with milk and sugar, should be drunk later, when you feel better. And then you need to drink a couple more glasses of water. You can replace coffee with more healthy drinks – cocoa, herbal tea or regular tea with ginger and lemon.

The healing power of brine for a hangover is a well-founded effect. The basis of a hangover is a mixture of toxicosis and dehydration. Water helps to replenish fluid reserves, salts – activate the work of the kidneys to remove metabolic products from the body.

But don’t reach for a jar of cucumbers if they’re store-bought or your own. Marinade, which is prepared with salt and vinegar, cannot be taken, it will only worsen the condition, it is the brine from barrel cucumbers and tomatoes, sauerkraut that is useful.

The most unpleasant thing about a hangover is the poisoning of metabolic products, which irritates the center of vomiting in the brain. The stronger the poisoning, the longer and more severe the nausea and vomiting will be. The main task of the body is to remove toxins that poison the body as soon as possible. And vomiting is a defense mechanism. Drugs that suppress nausea with vomiting only prolong the period of malaise and can also complicate the hangover with dizziness and falls due to reduced pressure.

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Alena Paretskaya

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Hangover pills

Last night was a great success, but today your body says “thank you” with headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness? Undoubtedly, this is a classic hangover – retribution for excessive alcohol consumption. Almost every adult has encountered this unpleasant morning phenomenon, so many ways have been invented to alleviate the hangover syndrome. Some of them are really effective, while others can aggravate an already disgusting state of health.
To eliminate the symptoms of a hangover, it is necessary to approach it comprehensively and remember that there is no miracle cure that can instantly put you on your feet. The body will remove the breakdown products of alcohol for at least another 12 hours, during which palpitations, dry mouth, loss of appetite and other “charms” of a hangover may appear.

The main hangover symptoms and methods of dealing with them

Thirst
The first thing that a person who wakes up after “yesterday” feels is a severe dry mouth. This is quite natural, because alcohol is an excellent diuretic that provokes the separation of primary urine. You can solve this problem by drinking plenty of water. Good fruit juices, mineral water, decoctions

from rose hips ,

mint leaves and

chamomile flowers , weakly brewed sweet tea with the addition of lemon. They not only normalize the water balance of the body, but also help restore the level of vitamins, salts and glucose, significantly reduced by alcohol.

Headache

The second and probably the most unpleasant symptom of excessive alcohol consumption is a headache. Sometimes it is so strong that it practically deprives the ability to think and move. Medications will help to eliminate it – various painkillers tablets . The classic is Aspirin or Acetylsalicylic acid . But if, along with a headache, you feel heartburn and nausea, then you should give preference to paracetamol containing products : they are more easily absorbed by the body and do not irritate the gastric mucosa, but they should be used with caution, because. an overdose of paracetamol destroys the liver.

Nausea
The main impact of alcohol is taken by the organs of the digestive system. It is they who break down, process and prepare the breakdown products of alcohol for elimination, so nausea, heartburn and even vomiting are absolutely normal hangover phenomena. Help the body to cope with this task faster0192 sorbents . One of the most famous sorbents is activated carbon. It is necessary to take it at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight, crushing the required amount and mixing with a glass of warm water.

Weakness
Alcohol adversely affects the entire human body, causing weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. The solution to this problem can be a contrast shower, which will invigorate, and also remove the decay products of alcohol excreted from the skin with sweat. Fresh air also helps to speed up detoxification: a walk in the park or at least a window open wide will be good helpers in the fight against a hangover. Also, do not deny yourself a long sleep, especially if after “yesterday” you are not expected at work. The human body in a dream is the easiest and fastest way to cope with the symptoms of a hangover.

If all the measures taken do not give a positive result, and your condition only worsens, then it is time to turn to professionals for help.