How does alcohol cause nausea and vomiting. What are the most effective remedies for hangover-induced nausea. Can proper hydration alleviate hangover symptoms. Are there any natural remedies to cure hangover nausea. How long does hangover nausea typically last.

Understanding the Science Behind Hangover Nausea

Hangover nausea is a common and unpleasant consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. To comprehend why this occurs, it’s essential to delve into the biological mechanisms at play. When alcohol enters your system, your body immediately begins working to metabolize and eliminate it.

The liver, your body’s primary detoxification organ, breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. Under normal circumstances, the liver produces glutathione, which neutralizes acetaldehyde. However, when alcohol intake exceeds the liver’s capacity to produce sufficient glutathione, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, leading to various hangover symptoms, including nausea.

The Role of Dehydration in Hangover Nausea

Dehydration is another crucial factor contributing to hangover nausea. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it promotes increased urine production and fluid loss. This dehydration can irritate the stomach lining and disrupt the balance of electrolytes in your body, further exacerbating nausea and other hangover symptoms.

The Body’s Natural Response: Why Vomiting Occurs

Vomiting after excessive alcohol consumption is your body’s protective mechanism against toxins. When the body detects an overwhelming presence of alcohol or its byproducts, it triggers the vomiting reflex to expel these substances. While unpleasant, this process helps remove some of the toxins from your system.

Is it advisable to induce vomiting to alleviate hangover symptoms? No, it is not recommended to intentionally make yourself vomit after drinking. This can cause additional harm, including:

• Increased strain on the esophagus
• Potential for small tears and bleeding in the esophagus
• Higher risk of acid reflux
• Damage to tooth enamel
• Risk of aspiration (stomach contents entering the lungs)

Instead, it’s best to let your body naturally expel the toxins if necessary and focus on supportive measures to alleviate symptoms.

Hydration: The Cornerstone of Hangover Recovery

Proper hydration is crucial in combating hangover nausea and other associated symptoms. Replenishing lost fluids helps restore electrolyte balance, reduces stomach irritation, and supports the body’s detoxification processes.

Optimal Hydration Strategies

What are the best fluids for hangover recovery? Opt for clear liquids such as:

• Water
• Electrolyte-rich sports drinks (e.g., Gatorade, Powerade)
• Pedialyte
• Low-sugar ginger ale

Begin sipping these fluids about 30 minutes after your last episode of vomiting. Take small, frequent sips rather than large quantities at once to prevent triggering further nausea.

Rest and Recovery: Giving Your Body Time to Heal

Adequate rest is essential for your body to recover from the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Sleep allows your body to focus its energy on metabolizing remaining alcohol and repairing any cellular damage.

Creating an Optimal Recovery Environment

To maximize your rest and recovery, consider the following tips:

1. Create a dark, quiet sleeping environment
2. Use a cool compress on your forehead to alleviate headache symptoms
3. Avoid screens and bright lights that may exacerbate headaches
4. Use a fan or open a window for fresh air circulation

Dietary Approaches to Alleviate Hangover Nausea

While eating may be the last thing on your mind when experiencing hangover nausea, consuming the right foods can help settle your stomach and provide essential nutrients to aid recovery.

Gentle Foods to Ease Nausea

What foods are best for hangover nausea relief? Consider these easily digestible options:

• Toast or crackers
• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Clear broths

Start with small portions and eat slowly to avoid overwhelming your digestive system. These bland foods can help absorb excess stomach acid and provide a gentle source of energy.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Hangover Relief

Several natural remedies and supplements may help alleviate hangover nausea and support your body’s recovery process. While scientific evidence varies, many people find relief from these options:

Ginger: Nature’s Nausea Fighter

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea and digestive discomfort. Its active compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that may help soothe the stomach.

How can you incorporate ginger into your hangover recovery? Try these methods:

• Sipping ginger tea
• Chewing on crystallized ginger
• Taking ginger supplements (always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen)

B Vitamins and Their Role in Hangover Recovery

Alcohol consumption can deplete B vitamins in the body, particularly B1 (thiamine), B6, and B12. These vitamins play crucial roles in metabolism and nervous system function. Replenishing B vitamins may help alleviate hangover symptoms and support overall recovery.

Consider incorporating B vitamin-rich foods into your post-drinking meal plan, such as:

• Whole grains
• Eggs
• Lean meats
• Leafy green vegetables

Over-the-Counter Medications: When to Use Them

In some cases, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can provide relief from hangover symptoms, including nausea. However, it’s essential to use these medications judiciously and be aware of potential risks.

Choosing the Right Pain Reliever

For hangover-related pain and headaches, which pain reliever is most appropriate? Most healthcare professionals recommend ibuprofen over acetaminophen for hangover relief. Here’s why:

• Ibuprofen is less taxing on the liver, which is already working to metabolize alcohol
• Acetaminophen, when combined with alcohol, can potentially cause liver damage

However, ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation in some individuals. If you opt for ibuprofen, take it with small amounts of food to minimize the risk of stomach upset.

Anti-Nausea Medications

Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine), may provide relief from hangover-induced nausea. However, these medications can cause drowsiness and may interact with any remaining alcohol in your system. Use them cautiously and follow package instructions carefully.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing Future Hangover Nausea

While treating hangover nausea is important, preventing it altogether is the best approach. Implementing smart drinking strategies can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing severe hangover symptoms.

Practical Tips for Responsible Drinking

How can you enjoy alcohol while minimizing the risk of hangover nausea? Consider these preventive measures:

1. Pace yourself: Limit your alcohol intake to one drink per hour
2. Stay hydrated: Alternate alcoholic beverages with water or other non-alcoholic drinks
3. Eat before and during drinking: Food in your stomach slows alcohol absorption
4. Choose your drinks wisely: Opt for lighter-colored drinks, which typically contain fewer congeners (byproducts of fermentation that can exacerbate hangovers)
5. Know your limits: Be aware of your personal tolerance and stop drinking before you reach it
6. Avoid mixing different types of alcohol: Stick to one type of drink throughout the night

The Importance of Sleep and Nutrition

Maintaining good overall health can improve your body’s ability to process alcohol and recover from its effects. Prioritize quality sleep and a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support your liver function and overall well-being.

By implementing these prevention strategies and recovery techniques, you can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of hangover nausea. Remember, the most effective way to avoid hangover symptoms is to drink responsibly or abstain from alcohol altogether.

Understanding Alcohol Poisoning: When to Seek Medical Help

While hangover nausea is unpleasant, it’s generally not life-threatening. However, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning, a severe and potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

What are the warning signs of alcohol poisoning? Be alert for the following symptoms:

• Confusion or stupor
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
• Blue-tinged or pale skin
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Unconsciousness or inability to wake up

If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, it’s crucial to act quickly. Turn the person on their side to prevent choking if they vomit, and call emergency services immediately. Never leave an intoxicated person alone to “sleep it off,” as their condition may worsen without supervision.

Long-Term Health Consequences of Excessive Drinking

While occasional hangovers may seem like a minor inconvenience, frequent binge drinking can lead to serious health problems over time. These may include:

• Liver damage and cirrhosis
• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Cardiovascular problems
• Weakened immune system
• Mental health issues
• Alcohol dependence and addiction

Understanding these risks can help motivate individuals to make more informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and prioritize their long-term health and well-being.

The Role of Mindfulness and Stress Management in Alcohol Consumption

Often, excessive drinking is linked to stress, anxiety, or other emotional factors. Developing healthy coping mechanisms and stress management techniques can help reduce the likelihood of overindulging in alcohol.

Mindfulness Techniques for Moderate Drinking

How can mindfulness practices contribute to more responsible alcohol consumption? Consider incorporating these strategies:

1. Practice conscious drinking: Pay attention to each sip, savoring the flavor and experience rather than drinking mindlessly
2. Set intentions before social events: Decide in advance how much you plan to drink and stick to your limit
3. Use mindfulness meditation to manage stress: Regular meditation practice can help reduce the urge to use alcohol as a stress-relief mechanism
4. Engage in body scan exercises: Regularly check in with how your body feels as you drink, noting when you’ve had enough
5. Practice gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of social situations beyond alcohol consumption

By cultivating mindfulness and developing healthier stress management techniques, you can enjoy social situations without relying on alcohol as a crutch, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of hangovers.

The Science of Hangovers: Current Research and Future Directions

Despite the prevalence of hangovers, scientific understanding of their exact mechanisms and most effective treatments is still evolving. Ongoing research aims to shed light on the complex physiological processes involved in hangover symptoms and develop more targeted interventions.

Emerging Hangover Research

What are some of the latest developments in hangover research? Scientists are exploring various avenues, including:

• The role of inflammation in hangover symptoms
• Genetic factors that may influence hangover severity
• The impact of different types of alcoholic beverages on hangover intensity
• Potential pharmacological interventions to mitigate hangover effects
• The relationship between gut microbiome health and alcohol metabolism

As research progresses, we may see more effective, scientifically-backed hangover remedies emerge. However, it’s important to remember that the most reliable way to avoid hangovers remains moderate and responsible alcohol consumption.

The Future of Hangover Prevention and Treatment

Looking ahead, what might the future hold for hangover prevention and treatment? Some possibilities include:

1. Development of “hangover-free” alcoholic beverages engineered to minimize negative effects
2. Advanced supplements designed to support liver function and alcohol metabolism
3. Personalized hangover prevention strategies based on individual genetic profiles
4. Technological innovations for real-time blood alcohol monitoring and hangover prediction
5. Integration of hangover prevention education into broader public health initiatives

While these potential advancements are intriguing, it’s crucial to approach them with a critical eye and prioritize overall health and responsible drinking habits.

Societal Impact and Public Health Considerations of Hangover Culture

The prevalence of hangovers and their acceptance in many social circles raises important questions about alcohol’s role in society and its impact on public health. Understanding these broader implications can foster more informed discussions about alcohol use and its consequences.

Economic and Productivity Costs of Hangovers

What is the economic toll of hangover-related absenteeism and reduced productivity? Studies suggest that hangovers cost the global economy billions of dollars annually through:

• Lost workdays
• Decreased job performance
• Increased workplace accidents and errors
• Healthcare costs related to alcohol-induced illnesses

Recognizing these societal costs can help inform policy decisions and workplace wellness initiatives aimed at promoting responsible alcohol consumption.

Changing Cultural Attitudes Towards Alcohol

How are societal views on alcohol consumption evolving? There’s a growing trend towards more mindful drinking habits, particularly among younger generations. This shift is characterized by:

1. Increased interest in low-alcohol and alcohol-free alternatives
2. Greater awareness of the health impacts of excessive drinking
3. Changing social norms that de-emphasize alcohol in social settings
4. Rising popularity of “dry” months like Dry January or Sober October
5. Integration of wellness trends with social activities, promoting alternatives to drinking

How to Stop and How to Feel Better

Drinking alcohol can make you throw up because vomiting is your body’s response to the excess toxins from the alcohol. Staying hydrated, resting, and taking over-the-counter medication are some strategies that can help.

Drinking alcohol to excess can lead to a host of hangover symptoms, including throwing up.

While vomiting may make you feel awful, the risks from excess toxins can be damaging to your system. That’s why it’s best to let your body do its thing, while taking steps to prevent complications like dehydration.

Keep reading to find out why the alcohol you drank made you throw up, and what you can do about it.

Throwing up is your body’s way of ridding itself of a toxin — in this case, alcohol. Instead of stopping yourself from throwing up, it’s best to simply help yourself feel better until your body’s gotten rid of all the alcohol.

Here are some ways to minimize the nausea and side effects from vomiting:

• Drink small sips of clear liquids to rehydrate. Wait until about 30 minutes after you last vomited. Examples of clear liquid include water, Pedialyte, Gatorade, or Powerade. Low sugar ginger ale does the trick as well.
• Get plenty of rest. Don’t try to overdo it on the day of a hangover (not that your body will let you). Sleeping it off can help you feel better.
• Refrain from “hair of the dog” or drinking more to “feel better.” Give your stomach and body a break and don’t drink again the night after a vomiting episode.
• Take ibuprofen to relieve pain. Most doctors suggest ibuprofen over acetaminophen because the liver breaks down acetaminophen, and the liver is already busy breaking down the excess alcohol by-products. However, ibuprofen can cause stomach upset in some people, so take it with small bites of food.
• Eat small bites of bland foods, such as toast, crackers, or applesauce to keep your energy up. Again, wait a little while after you’ve vomited to reduce the chance you’ll trigger the vomiting reflex again.

Warning: Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning is a potentially life threatening occurrence that happens when a person drinks so much that their body can’t compensate for all the alcohol in their bloodstream. This causes symptoms like confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow heart rate, problems breathing, and low body temperatures. Alcohol poisoning also impairs a person’s gag reflex, so they can’t prevent choking on their own vomit.

Anyone who consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short time period can experience alcohol poisoning. If you see a person you think may be experiencing alcohol poisoning, turn them on their side and call 911. Acting quickly may save their life.

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You’ll probably notice one suggestion that didn’t make the above list: intentionally making yourself throw up after a night of drinking.

While you may have a friend that swears by this approach, it’s a dangerous one. Making yourself throw up can put greater strain on your esophagus. This can make it more likely you’ll experience small tears that can damage the esophagus and potentially lead to bleeding.

Intentional vomiting also increases your risk for acid reflux, damage to your teeth, and aspiration. This is when your stomach contents accidentally go into your lungs.

If you feel like you’re going to vomit, it’s best to let it happen naturally. You’ll retch less and reduce your risk for additional health problems that can happen when you make yourself throw up.

Complications of throwing up after drinking alcohol

Throwing up after drinking can make you feel awful. In addition to nausea and vomiting, you may have other hangover symptoms like body aches and a headache.

One of the most significant complications is dehydration. This can affect your body’s ability to function, and can even damage your kidneys. Drinking even small sips of fluids periodically can help to prevent dehydration from occurring.

Other potential, but rarer complications from throwing up after drinking include:

• damage to the lining of the stomach or esophagus
• gastrointestinal bleeding due to irritation or tears in the esophageal lining
• aspiration of vomit into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia

Ideally, these will not occur after a night of drinking, but if you make binge drinking a habit, the likelihood of more severe complications increases.

While it doesn’t always feel like it, vomiting is one of your body’s protective reflexes against toxins. When you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down into acetaldehyde, a by-product of alcohol.

Your body can’t keep up

If you don’t overdo it on the drinking, your body (specifically, your liver) neutralizes acetaldehyde with a substance it makes called glutathione. Your body processes the two compounds, and you’re fine.

Except when you drink too much. Then, your liver can’t make enough glutathione to keep up with what you’re drinking. Eventually, your body realizes the liver isn’t going to be able to keep up with how much acetaldehyde is present and gets rid of it another way — through vomiting.

Alcohol irritates the stomach lining

There are other factors at play that can make you vomit after drinking heavily. In addition to the buildup of acetaldehyde, excess alcohol can irritate the stomach lining. This causes a buildup of acid that makes you feel more nauseated.

Chronic alcohol exposure may cause gastritis

People who drink alcohol to excess on a regular basis are at increased risk for a condition called alcohol gastritis. This is when chronic alcohol exposure irritates the stomach lining and damages it.

People with alcohol gastritis can experience frequent stomach-related concerns, such as ulcers, nausea, and acid reflux. Chronic alcohol interferes with absorption of nutrients and is linked to cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, and more.

There are times when throwing up after a night of drinking turns from something you’ll get over to something you need to see a doctor for.

Seek medical treatment if you:

• have been continuously vomiting for more than 24 hours
• can’t keep fluids or food down
• have signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dark urine, or inability to pee for some time
• see blood in your vomit
• start to have problems breathing
• have a temperature greater than 101. 5°F

Becoming dehydrated can lead to a number of health problems in your body. That’s why it’s best to seek medical treatment sooner than later if you have dehydration signs.

Usually, hangover symptoms like vomiting will go away within 24 hours. If you do vomit after drinking, it’s best to let your stomach upset run its course.

Taking steps to prevent dehydration can help you feel better once the alcohol toxins are out of your body. If your vomiting continues or you start to get dehydrated, seek immediate medical attention.

The 6 Best Ways to Prevent (and Cure) a Hangover

Certain foods, supplements, and over-the-counter products can help get rid of a hangover. Some practices may even help prevent you from getting one in the first place.

From pounding headaches to stomach pain, fatigue, and irritability, many of us are all too familiar with the long list of hangover symptoms that often follow a night of heavy drinking.

Although there’s no shortage of purported hangover cures — such as chugging a glass of pickle juice or rubbing a lemon in your armpit before drinking — only a few are backed by science.

Fortunately, there are several ways to relieve symptoms of a hangover, as well as steps you can take to prevent or limit it.

This article looks at 6 easy, evidence-based ways to prevent or relieve a hangover.

1. Avoid drinks with congeners

Through the process of ethanol fermentation, sugars are converted into carbon dioxide and ethanol, also known as alcohol.

Congeners are toxic chemical byproducts that are also formed in small amounts during this process. Different alcoholic beverages contain varying amounts (1).

Some studies have found that consuming drinks high in congeners could increase the frequency and severity of hangovers. Congeners may also slow the metabolism of alcohol, which can prolong your symptoms (1).

Drinks that are low in congeners include vodka, gin, and rum (1).

Meanwhile, tequila, whiskey, and cognac are all high in congeners, with bourbon whiskey containing the most (1).

In one older study, 95 young adults drank enough vodka or bourbon to reach a breath alcohol concentration of 0. 11%. Those drinking high congener bourbon experienced worse hangovers than those drinking low congener vodka (2).

According to another small study in eight people, higher rates of alcohol elimination could be associated with decreased hangover severity. In other words, the faster your body can process the alcohol you drink, the fewer hangover symptoms you may experience (3).

Choosing drinks that are low in congeners could help speed up the metabolism of alcohol and therefore reduce the incidence and severity of hangovers. However, more recent, high quality studies are still needed.

summary

Choosing drinks that are low in congeners, such as vodka, gin, and rum, could decrease the severity and frequency of hangovers, but more research is needed.

2. Stay hydrated

Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration in a few different ways.

First, alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning that it increases the production of urine. This can lead to the loss of fluids and electrolytes that your body needs in order to function properly (4, 5).

Second, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, causing further loss of fluids and electrolytes (6).

Although dehydration is not the only cause of a hangover, it contributes to many common hangover symptoms, including increased thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness (7).

As such, increasing your water intake may alleviate some symptoms of hangovers — or potentially even prevent them altogether.

When drinking alcohol, a good rule is to alternate between a glass of water and an alcoholic drink. Though this won’t necessarily prevent dehydration, it can help you moderate your alcohol intake.

Stay hydrated throughout the following day by drinking water whenever you feel thirsty.

summary

Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration, which may worsen certain hangover symptoms. Staying hydrated could reduce hangover symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness.

3. Get plenty of sleep

Alcohol can cause sleep disturbances and may be associated with decreased sleep quality and duration for some people (8).

Though low to moderate amounts of alcohol may initially promote sleep, studies show that higher amounts and chronic use can disrupt sleep patterns (9).

While a lack of sleep doesn’t cause a hangover, it can make one worse. Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and irritability can become worse as a result of a lack of sleep (10).

Getting a good night’s sleep and allowing your body to recover may alleviate your symptoms and make a hangover more bearable.

summary

Alcohol consumption may interfere with your sleep. A lack of sleep could then contribute to hangover symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and headaches.

4. Eat a good breakfast

Eating a hearty breakfast is one of the most well-known remedies for a hangover.

One reason is that a good breakfast can help you maintain steady blood sugar levels. Although low blood sugar levels are not necessarily the cause of a hangover, they’re often associated with it (1).

Low blood sugar could also worsen certain hangover symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and weakness (11).

In fact, some research suggests that maintaining adequate blood sugar levels could mitigate some of the bodily changes that occur with alcohol consumption, such as the buildup of acid in the blood (12).

Excessive drinking can throw off the balance of the chemicals in your blood and cause metabolic acidosis, which is characterized by increased acidity. It’s often associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue (13).

In addition to helping reduce certain hangover symptoms, eating a healthy breakfast can provide important vitamins and minerals that may become depleted with excessive alcohol intake.

Though studies evaluating the effects of specific foods on hangover symptoms are limited, some studies suggest that L-cysteine — a type of amino acid found in eggs, yogurt, and oats — may be beneficial (14).

Eating more zinc-rich foods — such as nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy products, and whole grains — may also be associated with decreased hangover severity (12).

summary

Eating a good breakfast can help maintain your blood sugar levels, provide important vitamins and minerals, and reduce the symptoms of a hangover.

5. Try certain supplements

Though research is limited, some studies suggest that certain supplements could ease a hangover.

The following supplements have been researched for their ability to reduce hangover symptoms:

• Red ginseng. One older study found that supplementing with red ginseng reduced blood alcohol levels and hangover severity (15).
• Prickly pear. Some research suggests that this type of cactus could help treat hangovers. A 2004 study found that prickly pear extract decreased hangover symptoms. It even halved the risk of experiencing severe symptoms (16).
• Ginger. An older study found that a ginger, brown sugar, and tangerine extract improved certain hangover symptoms. According to test-tube and animal studies, compounds found in ginger may also protect against alcohol-induced liver damage (17, 18, 19).
• Borage oil. One study found that a supplement containing both prickly pear and borage oil, an oil derived from the seeds of starflower, reduced hangover symptoms in 88% of participants (20).
• Eleuthero. One study found that supplementing with eleuthero extract — also known as Siberian ginseng — alleviated several hangover symptoms and decreased the overall severity (21).

Keep in mind, though, that research in humans is lacking and that most available studies are outdated. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate how effectively supplements may reduce hangover symptoms.

summary

Some supplements, including red ginseng, prickly pear, ginger, borage oil, and eleuthero, have been studied for their ability to decrease hangover symptoms. Still, more research is needed.

6. Take a pain reliever

Over-the-counter pain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), could help relieve certain symptoms associated with hangovers.

In fact, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin are often used to reduce pain and treat issues that frequently accompany hangovers, such as headaches and muscle aches (22).

What’s more, one small study found that a medication made with a type of NSAID called naproxen and a type of antihistamine called fexofenadine significantly reduced hangover severity compared with placebo (23).

However, you should not use these medications if you’re experiencing symptoms such as nausea or stomach pain, because they could irritate your digestive system and worsen your symptoms (24).

Additionally, keep in mind that pain relievers containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, could increase the risk of liver damage when combined with alcohol. Do not use these to treat a hangover (25).

summary

NSAIDs may help treat certain hangover symptoms and could reduce the severity. However, never use acetaminophen to treat a hangover, and avoid NSAIDs if you’re experiencing digestive symptoms such as nausea or stomach pain.

While there are many well-known hangover cures out there, few are backed by science.

Still, there are several evidence-based ways to avoid or limit the unpleasant symptoms that typically follow a night of drinking.

Strategies include staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, eating a good breakfast, drinking in moderation, limiting high congener drinks, and taking certain supplements or medications.

Just one thing

Try this today: Pairing alcohol with a hearty meal and plenty of water is a great way to moderate your alcohol consumption. It can also help you stay hydrated and increase your intake of vitamins and minerals to help prevent or limit a hangover.

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What to do with a hangover?

A merry feast can be followed by a painful and difficult morning. Birds chirping merrily outside the window may seem like vultures. The alarm clock turns into a sworn enemy, and every step of the household responds with a strong blow inside the head. The picture is clear – these are the symptoms of a hangover. A rhetorical question comes to mind – was it worth drinking so much the day before?

However, the tired mind is not even going to look for an answer. He is disturbed by completely different thoughts – how to get rid of a hangover and how to spend this day?

Why do hangovers develop?

A hangover is a deterioration in well-being that develops a few hours after drinking alcohol. It is manifested by the following symptoms:

• headache,
• indigestion,
• nausea, sometimes vomiting,
• feeling of thirst,
• tremor,
• severe weakness,
• rise or fall in pressure.

Doctors say that a person who abused alcohol the day before feels guilty after sobering up. This sensation is dictated by the biochemical processes occurring in the body. Feelings of guilt are formed even when the abuser has done nothing wrong.

Causes of feeling unwell

There are many methods to fight a hangover. Some of them really help, others, on the contrary, can make you feel worse. For an unmistakable choice of the correct method of struggle, one must understand what happens in the body during a hangover.

Intoxication

Alcohol, getting into the body, breaks down, forming toxic substances. One of these components is acetaldehyde. This poison can penetrate cell walls and disrupt cell activity. And since toxins are carried by the bloodstream throughout the body, intoxication involves all organ systems. Poisoning is manifested by headache, nausea, general weakness.

Fluid imbalance

Ethanol contributes to the thickening of the blood, which ceases to circulate normally in the vascular bed. In the body there is an incorrect redistribution of blood. As a result, a person develops edema and, at the same time, a strong feeling of thirst arises.

Impaired metabolism

To overcome the effects of toxins, the body consumes numerous useful substances. The depletion of one’s own resources, which provide normal metabolic processes, leads to a violation of the latter. The intensity of the elimination of toxins and harmful substances decreases. Increased nausea and vomiting.

Toxic effects on the brain

Ethanol breakdown products impair the functioning of the whole organism. The highest concentration of toxins is observed in brain cells. For this reason, people suffering from a hangover develop headaches, coordination of movements may be upset, and fine tremors in the hands form.

Hypersensitivity of the nervous system

Ethanol and its decay products have a negative effect on the nervous system, causing the nerve endings to become hypersensitive. For this reason, even sounds and light of normal intensity can cause a severe headache.

How dangerous is a hangover?

Viscous blood passes through the vessels much worse. To ensure a normal blood supply, the heart is forced to work in an enhanced mode.

Overload can lead to the development of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Sometimes a hangover leads to a heart attack.

One of the complications that develop on the background of alcohol poisoning is a stroke. Viscous blood, circulating through the vessels, leads to their expansion. And if their walls have lost their elasticity, then the lumen of the vessel can be completely clogged with blood clots.

What to do with a hangover: effective methods

In order to minimize the discomfort that manifests itself the next morning after a stormy feast, it is necessary to remember what can be done in case of a hangover.

Detoxification

The fight against a hangover begins with cleansing the body of toxic compounds and alcohol residues. This can be achieved through the following activities:
Sorbents intake. Such drugs absorb various poisons and toxins like a sponge and remove them from the body naturally. The simplest and, at the same time, the most effective sorbent is activated carbon. Enterosgel and Smecta will have a more powerful effect.

Gastric lavage. This activity is only useful if eating and drinking took place 3-4 hours ago. In this case, it is advised to drink about 1 liter of water and artificially induce vomiting.

Enema cleansing. If more than four hours have passed since the intake of alcohol, then bowel cleansing is advised instead of gastric lavage.

2-3 hours after taking sorbents, it is necessary to clean the intestines. If the intestines do not function, then the drugs that have absorbed the toxins will begin to poison the body from the inside.

Control of symptoms

Cleansing the body removes poisons and reduces intoxication. However, these activities do not save you from headaches or debilitating vomiting. To combat negative symptoms, the following drugs can be used:

Analgesics. Headache can be relieved by paracetamol and analgin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used. In case of intense pain in the abdomen, no-shpa can help.

Sedatives. These medicines help reduce feelings of anxiety, irritability. They can correct sleep in case of insomnia. With a hangover, tinctures of valerian and motherwort will help. Other sedatives should only be used after consulting a doctor, since the combination of most sedative drugs is contraindicated with alcohol.

Antiemetics. To eliminate an unpleasant condition and vomiting, you can drink a solution of rehydron and completely rinse the stomach.

Anti-tremor. Trembling in the hands will help to overcome the solution of magnesia. One ampoule (10%) is dissolved in one glass of water and drunk. If the trembling did not pass from one attempt, the action can be repeated after 40-50 minutes. This tool will provide not only anticonvulsant, but also a diuretic, antiarrhythmic effect.

Symptomatic treatment begins with the intake of sorbents after 2-3 hours. These groups of drugs should never be taken at the same time. Otherwise, the drugs will not have time to have an effect on the body, since the sorbent will absorb them.

Other remedies

The following methods can also be used to reduce hangover symptoms:

Contrast shower. This procedure activates blood circulation, increases vascular tone, boosts metabolism. Toxic components after a contrast shower are much faster excreted from the body, and therefore the person’s well-being improves.
Brine. This remedy has been used successfully for centuries. It eliminates nausea and accelerates the elimination of toxins.
Freshly brewed broth. An appetizing dish can help restore the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
Orange juice. Freshly squeezed juice quickly eliminates hangover manifestations. The drink can neutralize the remaining ethanol and promote rapid recovery.
Ginger tea. A piece of ginger root about 2-3 cm long is placed in 0.4-0.5 liters of water and boiled over low heat for ten minutes. When the broth has cooled somewhat, the root is removed from it. Two tablespoons of honey are added to the tea. You can add the juice of one orange.

This wonderful drink detoxifies, frees from ethanol residues, fights hangover symptoms and improves body tone.

Treatment with special drugs

Pharmacologists have developed special drugs that are designed to cure hangovers. These medicines provide a complex effect: remove toxins, block unpleasant symptoms and improve tone. The most common drugs are:

• Alka-Seltzer,
• Medichronal,
• Zenalk,
• Antipohmelin,
• Alka-prim.

What not to do with a hangover

In order not to increase hangover symptoms, doctors advise you to refrain from the following actions:

Drinking alcohol . This will not help relieve the symptoms of a hangover. On the contrary, it is a direct path to alcoholism.
Smoking. Nicotine has the property of intensifying the effects of severe symptoms. Smoking contributes to the development of nausea and vomiting.
Physical or mental stress. It is highly undesirable to engage in mental or heavy physical activity at the time of a hangover. This will only increase the discomfort.
Fatty food. Do not take indigestible, fatty foods. This will increase the toxicity of the body.
Certain medicines. It is not necessary to take all available medicines in a row. Before taking the drug, you should read the instructions for it and pay special attention to the “contraindications” column.

When you have a hangover, you need to monitor the state of the body. If nausea, severe chest pains, blurred vision have developed, there is blood in the urine, and the feces have become black, then there is no need to hesitate – you must immediately call an ambulance.

No one is safe from a hangover. And yet, you can reduce morning sickness by not abusing the amount of alcohol, not mixing different alcoholic beverages and using only high-quality alcohol, while not forgetting a variety of dishes rich in proteins and carbohydrates!

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

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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.