How can you effectively treat a hangover headache. What are the most effective home remedies for hangover relief. What causes hangover symptoms and how can they be prevented. What are the key symptoms of a hangover to watch out for.

Understanding Hangover Headaches: Causes and Symptoms

Hangover headaches are a common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. These headaches occur as part of a broader set of hangover symptoms that can significantly impact your well-being the day after drinking. To effectively address hangover headaches, it’s crucial to understand their underlying causes and recognize the associated symptoms.

What Causes Hangover Headaches?

Hangover headaches stem from various factors related to alcohol consumption:

• Dehydration: Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production and leading to fluid loss.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Along with fluid loss, essential electrolytes are depleted.
• Inflammation: Alcohol triggers inflammatory responses in the body.
• Acetaldehyde buildup: This toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism contributes to hangover symptoms.
• Blood sugar fluctuations: Alcohol consumption can cause blood sugar levels to drop.
• Disrupted sleep patterns: Alcohol interferes with normal sleep cycles, affecting overall recovery.

Recognizing Hangover Symptoms

While headaches are a prominent feature of hangovers, they often accompany other symptoms:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Rapid heartbeat
• Mood disturbances (anxiety, irritability)
• Difficulty concentrating

Understanding these symptoms can help you better manage your hangover and take appropriate steps for relief.

Evidence-Based Treatments for Hangover Headaches

While many purported hangover cures lack scientific backing, several evidence-based treatments can help alleviate hangover headaches and associated symptoms.

Vitamin B6 Supplementation

Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in alcohol metabolism and may help mitigate hangover symptoms. How does it work? Alcohol depletes B vitamins, including B6, which are essential for proper metabolic function. By supplementing with B6, you can support your body’s ability to process and eliminate alcohol more efficiently.

Consider taking a B6 supplement before drinking or the morning after to potentially reduce hangover severity. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

NSAIDs for Pain Relief

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can effectively combat hangover headaches by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals. Common over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.

When using NSAIDs for hangover relief, keep these precautions in mind:

• Take only the recommended dose to minimize the risk of stomach irritation.
• Avoid combining NSAIDs with alcohol, as this can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Never use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for hangover relief, as it can be harmful to your liver when combined with alcohol.

Electrolyte-Rich Beverages

Replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes is crucial for hangover recovery. Sports drinks and other electrolyte-rich beverages can help restore hydration and balance more effectively than water alone. These drinks typically contain essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

When choosing a rehydration beverage, opt for those with lower sugar content to avoid exacerbating hangover symptoms. Alternatively, you can make your own electrolyte drink at home using water, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) Supplementation

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that shows promise in reducing hangover severity. How does NAC work against hangovers? It helps combat the toxic effects of acetaldehyde, a harmful byproduct of alcohol metabolism, by supporting the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.

To potentially benefit from NAC, consider taking a 200-300mg supplement at least 30 minutes before drinking. However, as with any supplement, consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Effective Home Remedies for Hangover Relief

In addition to evidence-based treatments, several home remedies can help alleviate hangover headaches and promote recovery.

Proper Nutrition and Hydration

Eating nutritious meals before, during, and after drinking can significantly impact hangover severity. Why is eating so important when it comes to hangovers?

• It helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, preventing crashes that can worsen headaches.
• Food in the stomach slows alcohol absorption, potentially reducing overall intoxication.
• Nutrient-rich foods can help replenish vitamins and minerals depleted by alcohol consumption.

Focus on balanced meals containing complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Some hangover-friendly foods include:

• Whole grain toast with avocado
• Eggs (rich in cysteine, which helps break down acetaldehyde)
• Bananas (high in potassium)
• Oatmeal with berries
• Chicken or vegetable soup (provides hydration and electrolytes)

Gentle Exercise and Fresh Air

While intense workouts are not recommended when hungover, light exercise can be beneficial. How can gentle physical activity help with hangover recovery?

• It promotes blood circulation, potentially speeding up the elimination of toxins.
• Exercise releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce pain perception.
• Getting outside for fresh air can help alleviate nausea and clear the mind.

Consider activities like a short walk, gentle stretching, or yoga. Remember to stay hydrated during any physical activity, especially when recovering from alcohol consumption.

Rest and Sleep

Adequate rest is crucial for hangover recovery. Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns, often leading to poor quality sleep despite spending more time in bed. To promote better rest during hangover recovery:

• Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleeping environment
• Avoid screens before bed to reduce blue light exposure
• Consider taking a short nap during the day if needed, but limit it to 20-30 minutes to avoid disrupting nighttime sleep

Preventive Strategies to Avoid Hangover Headaches

While treating hangover symptoms is important, preventing them in the first place is even better. Here are some strategies to reduce your risk of experiencing severe hangover headaches:

Moderation in Alcohol Consumption

The most effective way to prevent hangovers is to limit alcohol intake. How can you practice moderation while still enjoying social situations?

• Set a drink limit for yourself before going out
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic beverages
• Choose lower alcohol content options
• Avoid drinking games or situations that encourage rapid consumption

Choosing Your Drinks Wisely

Some types of alcohol are more likely to cause severe hangovers than others. Why do certain drinks lead to worse hangovers? It’s often due to their congener content – byproducts of fermentation that contribute to alcohol’s flavor but can exacerbate hangover symptoms.

To potentially reduce hangover severity, consider opting for:

• Clear spirits like vodka or gin, which tend to have fewer congeners
• White wine instead of red wine
• Light-colored beers over darker varieties

Pre-Drinking Preparation

Taking certain precautions before drinking can help mitigate hangover symptoms:

• Eat a substantial meal containing complex carbohydrates and healthy fats
• Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
• Consider taking a B-complex vitamin supplement
• Ensure you’re well-rested before a night out

Understanding the Risks of Chronic Alcohol Use

While occasional drinking and subsequent hangovers may seem harmless, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential long-term risks associated with chronic alcohol consumption.

Health Implications of Regular Heavy Drinking

Frequent heavy drinking can lead to various health issues beyond hangovers:

• Liver damage and disease
• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Cardiovascular problems
• Mental health disorders
• Weakened immune system
• Cognitive impairment

If you find yourself experiencing frequent hangovers or struggling to control your alcohol intake, it may be time to reassess your drinking habits and consider seeking support from healthcare professionals or support groups.

Recognizing Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences. How can you recognize signs of AUD?

• Drinking more or longer than intended
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down on drinking
• Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking
• Experiencing strong cravings for alcohol
• Continuing to drink despite it causing problems in relationships or responsibilities
• Giving up important activities due to drinking
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking

If you or someone you know exhibits these signs, it’s important to seek professional help. Many resources are available, including counseling, support groups, and medical treatments.

Debunking Common Hangover Myths

Many popular hangover “cures” lack scientific evidence and may even be harmful. Let’s examine some common myths and misconceptions about hangover treatment:

The “Hair of the Dog” Myth

Drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover, often referred to as “hair of the dog,” is a common but misguided approach. Why doesn’t this method work?

• It only temporarily masks symptoms by introducing more alcohol into the system
• It delays the inevitable hangover, potentially making it worse
• This practice can contribute to unhealthy drinking patterns and increase the risk of alcohol dependence

Greasy Food as a Cure

While many people swear by greasy food as a hangover cure, there’s little scientific evidence to support this claim. How does greasy food affect hangovers?

• Eating before drinking can help slow alcohol absorption, but greasy food after drinking doesn’t have a significant impact on hangover symptoms
• Heavy, greasy foods might even worsen nausea and indigestion associated with hangovers
• Nutrient-rich, easily digestible foods are generally a better choice for hangover recovery

Coffee as a Quick Fix

While caffeine might provide a temporary energy boost, it’s not an effective hangover cure. How does coffee affect hangover recovery?

• Coffee is a diuretic, potentially worsening dehydration
• Caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, exacerbating hangover-related anxiety
• The acidity in coffee might irritate an already sensitive stomach

If you do choose to drink coffee while hungover, be sure to accompany it with plenty of water and food to mitigate its potentially negative effects.

When to Seek Medical Help for Hangover Symptoms

While most hangovers resolve on their own with time and proper care, certain symptoms may warrant medical attention. It’s crucial to recognize when hangover symptoms might indicate a more serious condition.

Severe or Prolonged Symptoms

Seek medical help if you experience:

• Severe, persistent headache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Confusion or disorientation
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Pale or blue-tinged skin
• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Fever

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. How can you recognize alcohol poisoning?

• Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up
• Severe confusion
• Vomiting while passed out
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
• Low body temperature, bluish or pale skin

If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call emergency services immediately. Do not leave the person alone, and try to keep them sitting up and awake if possible.

Remember, while hangover headaches and other symptoms can be uncomfortable, they typically resolve within 24 hours. If symptoms persist or worsen beyond this timeframe, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other potential health issues.

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.

What helps with a hangover / How to get rid of a hangover – June 4, 2022

All news

I’m going crazy guys! 6 sexiest women’s hairstyles — all men like them

Impressed by the water slides: the Chinese will install new extreme rides in the Central Park of Culture and Culture of Volgograd

Singer MakSim is being treated for alcoholism. Details and footage from the clinic where she is now

Not a single bad impression – how a Russian businesswoman and her husband rested in Uzbekistan instead of Dubai and how much money they spent

The Volgograd embankment has turned into a resort with ideal beaches – who created this Volga Riviera?

“I was afraid of the severity of the Russians”: a 24-year-old Egyptian moved to Russia to stay here forever

“It’s safe in the collider”: an interview with a girl who chose nuclear physics and did not regret it

He had an emergency operation: near Volgograd 13 -year-old teenager shot his brother in the chest

Is this Chelyabinsk or Sochi? See if you can tell a resort from an ordinary city

Climbed on the feet of the “Motherland”: in Volgograd, a 23-year-old boy shouted obscenities loudly on Mamaev Kurgan

I won’t pay for the risk! The realtor told how to get a discount when buying an apartment

A section of the pipeline was replaced on Dzerzhinsky Street in the Traktorozavodsky district of Volgograd

In Volgograd, an accordion player and a beauty sang the song of a famous singer

In Volgograd, the Orders of Courage were handed over to the parents and wives of ten mobilized soldiers and soldiers who died in Ukraine

“You don’t understand. They are on a mission”: Spanish media found Major Elena Isinbayeva from Volgograd in NATO countries

The skull was broken: a criminal case was opened in Volgograd after the death of a man from a board that fell from the sky

Lebanese Zara and Belarusian IKEA. What brands left Russia and what did they replace them with

“He was the first runet hooligan”: in Volgograd they said goodbye to the famous professor of mathematics Umoriarty

Singer MakSim admitted that she was being treated for alcohol addiction

She was wearing a red sundress: near Volgograd they are looking for a farmer who disappeared in mid-May

“He was found three days after his death”: a Rotor player died suddenly in Volgograd

“He lived nearby”: details of the death of a man near the office of the Investigative Committee in Volgograd became known

The road through the hydroelectric power station in Volgograd will be narrowed to one lane for four days

No water – don’t pay: how to get a recalculation for poor-quality housing and communal services

An ambulance helicopter near Volgograd could have crashed due to a gust of wind board

“I had no right to lie”: the commander of the 58th Army, a former division commander from Volgograd announced his dismissal0003

It will drop ten degrees at once: thunderstorms with hail and storm winds are approaching Volgograd and the region

“My number is some thousand”: how in Russia they are suing for free apartments and why it does not help

This is fate! 10 pairs of female and male names with perfect compatibility – and who is meant for you?

That’s it for sure: Citymatic-Volgograd LLC was stripped of the status of a regional waste operator

“He is very well dressed”: a man’s corpse was found in the center of Volgograd near the office of the Investigative Committee

The United States told why Ukraine is not accepted into NATO: news from the NWO for July 12 Offensive”: top 10 statements from the eco-council on the fate of Citymatic-Volgograd LLC

“Don’t yell, people around”: how we ourselves make children easy prey for criminals – a simple test that can save lives

Husband and son died, daughters in intensive care: doctors told about the victims of a head-on accident near Volgograd0003 All news

Not all foods and drinks are suitable for fighting a hangover

org/Person”> Photo: Daria Selenskaya / City portals

Share

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.

Related

• 22 January 2023, 15:00

  Foods and drinks that are dangerous to combine with alcohol. What doctors say

• February 01, 2023, 22:00

  How have I not tried before? 3 medical facts that will make you fall in love with coffee with lemon The answer is not so obvious

• 26 January 2023, 18:00

  Just add a pinch: 9 spices that will make you lose weight – they will burn calories at an incredible rate

• March 02, 2023, 10:00

  Eggs, coffee and 5 other common foods that kill our immunity

Alena Paretskaya

HangoverParty

Did you see a typo? Select the fragment and press Ctrl+Enter

COMMENTS7

Read all comments

Guest

Log in

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.