What are the most effective home remedies for a hangover. How can you alleviate hangover symptoms naturally. Which foods and drinks help cure a hangover faster. Do over-the-counter medications provide hangover relief. What are the best ways to prevent a hangover before drinking.

Understanding Hangovers: Causes and Symptoms

A hangover is a collection of unpleasant symptoms that occur after consuming alcohol. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe impairment, affecting both physical and mental well-being. To effectively combat a hangover, it’s crucial to understand its underlying causes and manifestations.

Common Hangover Symptoms

• Fatigue and weakness
• Headache and muscle aches
• Nausea and stomach discomfort
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Mood disturbances (anxiety, irritability, depression)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Rapid heartbeat

Physiological Causes of Hangovers

Hangovers result from a complex interplay of factors related to alcohol consumption. These include:

1. Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, causing increased urine production and fluid loss.
2. Electrolyte imbalances: Excessive urination can lead to a loss of essential electrolytes.
3. Alcohol withdrawal: As blood alcohol levels decrease, the body experiences mild withdrawal symptoms.
4. Low blood sugar: Alcohol consumption can interfere with glucose regulation.
5. Gastrointestinal disturbances: Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and increases acid production.
6. Sleep disturbances: While alcohol may induce sleep, it often disrupts sleep quality and duration.
7. Inflammation: Alcohol triggers an inflammatory response in the body.
8. Acetaldehyde buildup: This toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism contributes to hangover symptoms.

Hydration: The Cornerstone of Hangover Recovery

Proper hydration is arguably the most critical factor in alleviating hangover symptoms. Alcohol’s diuretic effect can lead to significant fluid loss, contributing to many hangover symptoms. How can you effectively rehydrate after a night of drinking?

Water: Nature’s Hangover Remedy

Plain water is the simplest and most accessible way to combat dehydration. Drinking water between alcoholic beverages and before bed can help prevent severe dehydration. Upon waking with a hangover, continue to sip water throughout the day to replenish lost fluids.

Electrolyte-Enhanced Beverages

While water is essential, electrolyte-rich drinks can provide additional benefits. Sports drinks, coconut water, or specially formulated rehydration solutions can help restore the balance of electrolytes in your body. These beverages may be particularly useful for those experiencing severe dehydration symptoms.

Hydrating Foods

Incorporating water-rich foods into your diet can complement your fluid intake. Consider consuming:

• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Strawberries
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Celery

These foods not only provide hydration but also offer beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that may aid in recovery.

Nutritional Strategies for Hangover Relief

While there’s no magical hangover cure, certain nutritional approaches can help alleviate symptoms and support your body’s recovery process. How can you use food to combat a hangover?

Replenishing Blood Sugar Levels

Alcohol consumption can lead to low blood sugar, contributing to fatigue, weakness, and mood disturbances. Eating a balanced meal can help stabilize blood glucose levels. Opt for a combination of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Some suitable options include:

• Whole grain toast with avocado and eggs
• Oatmeal with nuts and berries
• Greek yogurt with granola and fruit
• Banana and peanut butter smoothie

Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Alcohol consumption increases oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation. Include these antioxidant powerhouses in your hangover recovery diet:

• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, chia seeds)
• Dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
• Green tea

B Vitamin-Rich Foods

Alcohol can deplete B vitamins, which are crucial for energy metabolism and nervous system function. Incorporate these B vitamin sources into your diet:

• Whole grains
• Eggs
• Lean meats
• Legumes
• Nutritional yeast

Over-the-Counter Medications: Proceed with Caution

Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medications for hangover relief. While some can be helpful, it’s essential to understand their potential benefits and risks. Which OTC medications are safe and effective for hangover symptoms?

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can help alleviate headaches and body aches associated with hangovers. However, they should be used cautiously, as they may irritate the stomach lining, which is already sensitive from alcohol consumption. Always take NSAIDs with food and avoid them if you have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding disorders.

Antacids

For those experiencing nausea, heartburn, or indigestion, antacids can provide relief by neutralizing stomach acid. Choose antacids containing calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide for quick relief. However, be aware that frequent use of antacids can interfere with nutrient absorption and may mask underlying digestive issues.

Acetaminophen: A Word of Caution

While acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a common pain reliever, it should be avoided during a hangover. The liver, already burdened by processing alcohol, is responsible for metabolizing acetaminophen. Combining alcohol and acetaminophen can increase the risk of liver damage. Opt for NSAIDs instead if pain relief is necessary.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Hangover Relief

For those seeking alternatives to conventional medications, several natural remedies and supplements may offer hangover relief. What are some evidence-based natural approaches to alleviating hangover symptoms?

Ginger

Ginger has long been used to combat nausea and digestive discomfort. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also help alleviate other hangover symptoms. Try sipping ginger tea or incorporating fresh ginger into smoothies or juices.

Prickly Pear Extract

Some studies suggest that prickly pear extract may help reduce hangover severity when taken before drinking alcohol. Its antioxidant properties may help combat inflammation and oxidative stress associated with alcohol consumption.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

NAC is an amino acid that supports the body’s production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Some research indicates that NAC may help reduce alcohol-related oxidative stress and liver damage. However, more studies are needed to confirm its efficacy for hangover relief.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been traditionally used to support liver health. While it may not directly alleviate hangover symptoms, it could potentially help the liver process alcohol more efficiently. However, scientific evidence for its effectiveness in treating hangovers is limited.

The Role of Sleep in Hangover Recovery

Quality sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being, and it plays a significant role in hangover recovery. How can you optimize your sleep to alleviate hangover symptoms?

Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Sleep

While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it disrupts sleep quality and architecture. Alcohol consumption can:

• Reduce REM sleep, essential for cognitive function and emotional regulation
• Increase sleep disruptions and awakenings
• Exacerbate sleep-disordered breathing
• Alter circadian rhythms

Strategies for Better Sleep After Drinking

To improve sleep quality and aid hangover recovery, consider the following strategies:

1. Create a dark, cool, and quiet sleep environment
2. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed
3. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
4. Consider taking a short nap during the day, but limit it to 20-30 minutes to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep
5. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even after a night of drinking

Sleep-Promoting Foods and Beverages

Certain foods and drinks may help promote better sleep during hangover recovery:

• Tart cherry juice: Contains natural melatonin
• Chamomile tea: Known for its calming properties
• Kiwi fruit: Rich in serotonin, which may improve sleep quality
• Nuts: Contain minerals like magnesium that support sleep

Prevention: The Best Hangover Cure

While understanding how to treat a hangover is valuable, the most effective approach is prevention. What strategies can you employ to minimize the risk of a hangover before and during alcohol consumption?

Pre-Drinking Preparation

Taking certain precautions before drinking can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of a hangover:

• Eat a substantial meal: Food in your stomach slows alcohol absorption
• Stay hydrated: Drink water before and between alcoholic beverages
• Consider supplements: Some people find that taking B vitamins or milk thistle before drinking helps
• Get adequate sleep: Being well-rested may help your body process alcohol more efficiently

Mindful Drinking Habits

How you consume alcohol can greatly impact your hangover risk. Consider these strategies:

1. Pace yourself: Drink slowly and alternate between alcoholic drinks and water
2. Choose your drinks wisely: Opt for drinks with lower congener content (e.g., vodka over whiskey)
3. Avoid mixing different types of alcohol
4. Set a drink limit and stick to it
5. Be aware of drink strengths, especially with cocktails or home-poured drinks

Post-Drinking Care

Before going to bed after drinking, take these steps to minimize hangover symptoms:

• Drink a large glass of water
• Have a light snack to stabilize blood sugar levels
• Take an electrolyte supplement if available
• Avoid caffeine, which can further dehydrate you
• Remove makeup and wash your face to prevent skin dehydration

The Science of Hangover Cures: Separating Fact from Fiction

With numerous hangover remedies circulating in popular culture, it’s crucial to distinguish between evidence-based solutions and myths. Which popular hangover cures are supported by scientific research, and which lack credibility?

Debunking Common Hangover Myths

Several widely believed hangover cures have little to no scientific backing:

• “Hair of the dog”: Drinking more alcohol may temporarily alleviate symptoms but ultimately prolongs the hangover
• Greasy food: While it may satisfy cravings, there’s no evidence that greasy food specifically helps hangovers
• Sweating it out: Exercise may make you feel better due to endorphin release, but it doesn’t speed up alcohol metabolism
• Coffee cures: While caffeine may provide a temporary energy boost, it can worsen dehydration

Promising Areas of Hangover Research

While a definitive hangover cure remains elusive, several areas of research show promise:

1. Dihydromyricetin (DHM): A compound found in some plants that may reduce alcohol intoxication and hangover symptoms
2. Probiotics: Emerging research suggests that certain probiotic strains may help mitigate alcohol’s effects on the gut
3. Hangover prevention supplements: Formulations combining vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts are being studied for their potential protective effects
4. Genetic factors: Understanding individual genetic differences in alcohol metabolism may lead to personalized hangover prevention strategies

As research in these areas progresses, we may gain more effective tools for preventing and treating hangovers. However, it’s important to remember that the most reliable way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly or abstain from alcohol altogether.

In conclusion, while there’s no magic cure for hangovers, a combination of hydration, proper nutrition, rest, and mindful drinking habits can significantly reduce their severity. By understanding the science behind hangovers and employing evidence-based strategies, you can better manage the aftermath of alcohol consumption and support your body’s recovery process.

Hangover cures: Most effective home remedies

A hangover can leave someone with fatigue, nausea, and muscle aches. People swear by certain hangover cures, but do home remedies really help?

Drinking alcohol can cause fatigue, nausea, brain fog, and low mood the next day. People who are experiencing a hangover feel these symptoms partly because of the after-effects of drinking alcohol, including:

• dehydration
• electrolyte imbalances
• alcohol withdrawal
• low blood sugar
• stomach and intestine inflammation
• sleep disturbances

Home hangover cures aim to treat these symptoms. There is no specific food, drink, or magic pill to cure a hangover, though certain remedies can ease the symptoms in some people.

In this article, we look at the effectiveness of some common methods people use to try to cure hangovers.

While there is little direct research into how effective over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are for people with a hangover, certain medicines may help tackle the symptoms, as discussed below.

Do anti-inflammatories help?

Aspirin and other anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are effective at relieving aches and pains.

These drugs can reduce the inflammation in the body that alcohol causes to relieve headaches and muscle aches.

People should use anti-inflammatories with caution when hungover, as the medication can further irritate the stomach lining. Chronic use of these drugs can lead to stomach ulcers. Some doctors caution against taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach for this reason.

Do antacids help?

Antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acid to relieve an upset stomach. Taking antacids can reduce nausea, heartburn, and indigestion that drinking causes. This is a good option for people who tend to feel sick when hungover.

Does acetaminophen help?

Avoid medication that contains acetaminophen during a hangover.

The liver is the organ that breaks down acetaminophen, as it does alcohol. The body is more susceptible to the toxic effects of acetaminophen when a person drinks alcohol, and this can contribute to liver damage in severe cases.

People may prefer to use anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for pain relief instead.

Rehydrating the body by drinking water may help to improve the symptoms of a hangover.

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of urine a person passes. The resulting loss in fluid can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. These factors contribute to a hangover.

Staying hydrated while drinking alcohol could help to prevent or reduce a hangover. People can try drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks and just before bed.

Do rehydration powders help?

Many people also use sports drinks that contain electrolytes or rehydration powders to restore the balance of electrolytes in their bodies. There is no current research about whether or not this is an effective cure for a hangover.

Low blood sugar levels contribute to some hangover symptoms. Eating in the morning helps regulate blood sugar levels to relieve this discomfort partially.

When the body breaks down alcohol, lactic acid levels increase. This causes a drop in blood sugar levels, which can contribute towards a hangover.

Eating breakfast can help to restore blood sugar to a correct level and may improve some symptoms of a hangover.

A person’s body also needs nutritious foods that include protein, carbohydrates, healthful fats, and vitamins to repair and recover.

There is no current research to say that particular foods, such as greasy or fried breakfasts, are more effective than others. Many people believe that carbohydrates are particularly effective for “soaking up” alcohol, though research has not looked into this.

Share on PinterestEating food high in antioxidants may lessen the effects of alcohol.

The alcohol a person drinks causes oxidative stress, leading the body to produce free radicals. Antioxidants may help with this.

Research has linked oxidative stress to many health conditions, including heart disease and cancers. Antioxidants are compounds that help mop up these free radicals.

People may benefit from eating foods high in antioxidants to reduce the negative effects of drinking alcohol.

Good dietary sources of antioxidants include:

• berries
• cherries
• grapes
• pomegranates
• carrots
• spinach
• ginger
• dark chocolate
• nuts and seeds
• green and black teas

Coffee and other caffeinated drinks act as stimulants, which may improve the feelings of fatigue that come with a hangover.

Coffee, black tea, and green tea contain some antioxidants that may reduce the adverse effects of alcohol consumption.

However, drinks that contain caffeine are diuretics, which may worsen the effects of dehydration in the body. Caffeine does not alter a person’s blood alcohol content, so it does not reduce the health risks relating to drinking alcohol.

Despite the prevalence of hangovers, there has been little research into developing effective treatments. Of the studies that are available, most are of low quality and remain inconclusive.

Many factors can affect the severity and length of a person’s hangover, which makes it difficult for scientists to study potential hangover cures. Elements include:

• the type and amount of alcohol a person drinks
• how often they drink alcohol
• sex and age
• body type
• biological factors
• personality differences

Some people may even have a genetic disposition for worse hangovers than others.

Scientists have to rely on people’s self-reported hangover symptoms, which may vary between people and depend on day-to-day factors, and these are very difficult to control scientifically.

The lack of research has left room for a wide range of myths to develop about the best ways to cure a hangover, most of which rely on anecdotal evidence.

Businesses may also make claims about specific cures to sell their products, despite little or no scientific basis.

Share on PinterestEating a meal before drinking alcohol can reduce the effects of a hangover.

While there are no scientifically proven hangover cures, people can effectively prevent a hangover from happening in the first place.

Several factors may help to reduce the severity of a hangover, such as:

• Drinking in moderation. The one sure way to avoid a hangover is by not drinking alcohol. People can usually guarantee a milder hangover if they drink less alcohol the night before.
• Avoiding congeners. Some alcoholic drinks produce worse hangovers than others. Drinks with high congener content are more likely to cause a hangover, including whiskey, cognac, and tequila. Vodka, rum, and gin are low-congener drinks.
• Getting enough sleep. Alcohol can affect the quality of a person’s sleep, so sleeping more may help reduce a hangover.
• Staying hydrated. Drinking water while drinking alcohol can help counteract the diuretic effects of alcohol to reduce dehydration, which can contribute to headaches and other hangover symptoms.
• Eating food before drinking. Food can reduce the amount of time it takes for alcohol to enter into the bloodstream, keeping the blood alcohol levels lower. This could reduce the effects of a hangover.

The amount of alcohol that causes a hangover will vary from person to person. As a result, determining how much alcohol causes a hangover will involve some trial and error. It can help to be aware of alcohol guidelines set by the government.

There is currently no such thing as a cure for hangovers. Certain home remedies can help people manage some hangover symptoms, including taking anti-inflammatories or antacids, eating a nutritious breakfast, rehydrating, and eating foods that are rich in antioxidants.

However, there is little reliable research in this area. Until more systematic research is available, it is not possible to provide firm guidelines on dealing with hangovers.

Abstaining or drinking alcohol in moderation is the best way to avoid a hangover. People can reduce the severity of or prevent a hangover by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated through the night, and avoiding drinks with congeners.

Read the article in Spanish

Hangover cures: Most effective home remedies

A hangover can leave someone with fatigue, nausea, and muscle aches. People swear by certain hangover cures, but do home remedies really help?

Drinking alcohol can cause fatigue, nausea, brain fog, and low mood the next day. People who are experiencing a hangover feel these symptoms partly because of the after-effects of drinking alcohol, including:

• dehydration
• electrolyte imbalances
• alcohol withdrawal
• low blood sugar
• stomach and intestine inflammation
• sleep disturbances

Home hangover cures aim to treat these symptoms. There is no specific food, drink, or magic pill to cure a hangover, though certain remedies can ease the symptoms in some people.

In this article, we look at the effectiveness of some common methods people use to try to cure hangovers.

While there is little direct research into how effective over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are for people with a hangover, certain medicines may help tackle the symptoms, as discussed below.

Do anti-inflammatories help?

Aspirin and other anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are effective at relieving aches and pains.

These drugs can reduce the inflammation in the body that alcohol causes to relieve headaches and muscle aches.

People should use anti-inflammatories with caution when hungover, as the medication can further irritate the stomach lining. Chronic use of these drugs can lead to stomach ulcers. Some doctors caution against taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach for this reason.

Do antacids help?

Antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acid to relieve an upset stomach. Taking antacids can reduce nausea, heartburn, and indigestion that drinking causes. This is a good option for people who tend to feel sick when hungover.

Does acetaminophen help?

Avoid medication that contains acetaminophen during a hangover.

The liver is the organ that breaks down acetaminophen, as it does alcohol. The body is more susceptible to the toxic effects of acetaminophen when a person drinks alcohol, and this can contribute to liver damage in severe cases.

People may prefer to use anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for pain relief instead.

Rehydrating the body by drinking water may help to improve the symptoms of a hangover.

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of urine a person passes. The resulting loss in fluid can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. These factors contribute to a hangover.

Staying hydrated while drinking alcohol could help to prevent or reduce a hangover. People can try drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks and just before bed.

Do rehydration powders help?

Many people also use sports drinks that contain electrolytes or rehydration powders to restore the balance of electrolytes in their bodies. There is no current research about whether or not this is an effective cure for a hangover.

Low blood sugar levels contribute to some hangover symptoms. Eating in the morning helps regulate blood sugar levels to relieve this discomfort partially.

When the body breaks down alcohol, lactic acid levels increase. This causes a drop in blood sugar levels, which can contribute towards a hangover.

Eating breakfast can help to restore blood sugar to a correct level and may improve some symptoms of a hangover.

A person’s body also needs nutritious foods that include protein, carbohydrates, healthful fats, and vitamins to repair and recover.

There is no current research to say that particular foods, such as greasy or fried breakfasts, are more effective than others. Many people believe that carbohydrates are particularly effective for “soaking up” alcohol, though research has not looked into this.

Share on PinterestEating food high in antioxidants may lessen the effects of alcohol.

The alcohol a person drinks causes oxidative stress, leading the body to produce free radicals. Antioxidants may help with this.

Research has linked oxidative stress to many health conditions, including heart disease and cancers. Antioxidants are compounds that help mop up these free radicals.

People may benefit from eating foods high in antioxidants to reduce the negative effects of drinking alcohol.

Good dietary sources of antioxidants include:

• berries
• cherries
• grapes
• pomegranates
• carrots
• spinach
• ginger
• dark chocolate
• nuts and seeds
• green and black teas

Coffee and other caffeinated drinks act as stimulants, which may improve the feelings of fatigue that come with a hangover.

Coffee, black tea, and green tea contain some antioxidants that may reduce the adverse effects of alcohol consumption.

However, drinks that contain caffeine are diuretics, which may worsen the effects of dehydration in the body. Caffeine does not alter a person’s blood alcohol content, so it does not reduce the health risks relating to drinking alcohol.

Despite the prevalence of hangovers, there has been little research into developing effective treatments. Of the studies that are available, most are of low quality and remain inconclusive.

Many factors can affect the severity and length of a person’s hangover, which makes it difficult for scientists to study potential hangover cures. Elements include:

• the type and amount of alcohol a person drinks
• how often they drink alcohol
• sex and age
• body type
• biological factors
• personality differences

Some people may even have a genetic disposition for worse hangovers than others.

Scientists have to rely on people’s self-reported hangover symptoms, which may vary between people and depend on day-to-day factors, and these are very difficult to control scientifically.

The lack of research has left room for a wide range of myths to develop about the best ways to cure a hangover, most of which rely on anecdotal evidence.

Businesses may also make claims about specific cures to sell their products, despite little or no scientific basis.

Share on PinterestEating a meal before drinking alcohol can reduce the effects of a hangover.

While there are no scientifically proven hangover cures, people can effectively prevent a hangover from happening in the first place.

Several factors may help to reduce the severity of a hangover, such as:

• Drinking in moderation. The one sure way to avoid a hangover is by not drinking alcohol. People can usually guarantee a milder hangover if they drink less alcohol the night before.
• Avoiding congeners. Some alcoholic drinks produce worse hangovers than others. Drinks with high congener content are more likely to cause a hangover, including whiskey, cognac, and tequila. Vodka, rum, and gin are low-congener drinks.
• Getting enough sleep. Alcohol can affect the quality of a person’s sleep, so sleeping more may help reduce a hangover.
• Staying hydrated. Drinking water while drinking alcohol can help counteract the diuretic effects of alcohol to reduce dehydration, which can contribute to headaches and other hangover symptoms.
• Eating food before drinking. Food can reduce the amount of time it takes for alcohol to enter into the bloodstream, keeping the blood alcohol levels lower. This could reduce the effects of a hangover.

The amount of alcohol that causes a hangover will vary from person to person. As a result, determining how much alcohol causes a hangover will involve some trial and error. It can help to be aware of alcohol guidelines set by the government.

There is currently no such thing as a cure for hangovers. Certain home remedies can help people manage some hangover symptoms, including taking anti-inflammatories or antacids, eating a nutritious breakfast, rehydrating, and eating foods that are rich in antioxidants.

However, there is little reliable research in this area. Until more systematic research is available, it is not possible to provide firm guidelines on dealing with hangovers.

Abstaining or drinking alcohol in moderation is the best way to avoid a hangover. People can reduce the severity of or prevent a hangover by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated through the night, and avoiding drinks with congeners.

Read the article in Spanish

10 ways to get rid of a hangover

Method 1. Drink water. Much water.
The more water, the better – it flushes out toxins and other breakdown products of alcohol from the body. And mineral water restores the water-salt balance. Only from mineral water it is better to release bubbles and drink half a glass three times a day. Borjomi, Essentuki-4, Narzan are best suited – that is, table-medicinal, bicarbonate-sodium.
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Method 2. Drink juices.
Narcologists say that liquid vitamins are a real salvation for a tormented body. But if you feel that the stomach is irritated, it is better to dilute juices, especially orange, apple and multifruit, by half with water. The best option is vegetable juices, which fill the body not only with vitamins, but also with minerals.

Method 3. Drink brine.
Pickle from sauerkraut and pickled (not pickled!) cucumbers is a traditional Russian remedy for a hangover. And all because they contain the optimal composition of minerals and salt, which will restore the lack of substances spent on fun.

Method 4. Drink green tea with honey.
Honey is recognized by many scientists as one of the best hangover remedies because it contains a virtually ideal composition of fructose, potassium and magnesium. And green tea is loaded with antioxidants that help the body get rid of toxins. Honey, by the way, can be eaten as a snack. Do not be afraid if after that you are thrown into a sweat – this is how the breakdown products of alcohol are removed through the skin.
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Method 5. Drink ayran, tan, kefir
Dairy products are an excellent remedy for the stomach and intestines overloaded with yesterday’s excesses. By the way, yogurts are preferred with a hangover in Turkey, considering them the best remedy for bad feelings.

Method 6. Drink a banana cocktail
Mix two bananas, a glass of milk and two tablespoons of honey in a blender, drink slowly. A tried and tested British recipe. Milk is an excellent sorbent, honey is pure glucose, and a banana is fast carbohydrates

Method 7. Drink wine with soda.
French Cocktail: a little lemon juice and two equal parts white wine and sparkling water. Mix, drink in one gulp. Soda absorbs vitamin C faster, while diluted wine helps to gently relieve hangover symptoms.

Method 8. Eat khash or aspic.
Any meat broth, including light chicken broth, is a very good remedy for calming the stomach and relieving headaches. And the famous Armenian khash is considered an excellent remedy for morning sickness. By the way, our native jelly, warmed up in the microwave, is not much inferior to khash.

Method 9. Eat hodgepodge .
A simple dish consisting of yesterday’s cuts: finely chop fresh and pickled cucumbers, add finely chopped boiled veal or beef. For taste, you can cut olives or olives. You can eat like this, but it’s better to pour diluted brine from under pickles (not pickled, so that the vinegar does not touch an irritated stomach). Before you – a kind of hodgepodge. Not only is it delicious, but also a quick help to the body – replenishment of fluid deficiency (causes of headaches) and minerals – potassium, magnesium, sodium.

Method 10. Eat grapes
French scientists strongly recommend eating a hangover with a grape brush – antioxidants effectively remove toxins from it. Plus vitamins.

What to drink and eat to get rid of a hangover

Heartburn after alcohol ⛑ causes, symptoms of heartburn| rennie.ua

Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can adversely affect the digestive tract – after a feast, very unpleasant sensations can occur. Headache and heartburn after alcohol spoil the mood and bring discomfort. How to quickly get rid of alcoholic heartburn and why does it occur?

Heartburn from alcohol: what is it? Gastroesophageal reflux (backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus) can start at different times, but is often associated with food intake.

The nature of heartburn is known: it is the action of gastric juice on the walls of the stomach and esophagus. When food enters the stomach, it is digested by enzymes and hydrochloric acid found in gastric juices. The walls of the organ are protected by a special layer of mucus, which prevents hydrochloric acid from irritating the mucous membrane. Heartburn appears in two cases:

• The production of acid is so strong that the layer of mucus is simply not enough. This occurs with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, increased acidity of gastric juice.
• Reflux is triggered. There is a separate disease – GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), in 70% of cases heartburn is associated with it [1]. There is a reverse reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. With reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter, a special collection of muscle folds, relaxes, feels pressure, and does not work properly. Hydrochloric acid irritates the walls of the esophagus, which is more sensitive to its action.

There are also a number of factors that trigger reflux, stomach irritation, and gastrointestinal disorders. Abuse of fatty and spicy foods, frequent use of caffeinated, carbonated drinks and alcohol are some of them. Therefore, heartburn after alcohol can occur even in a healthy person.

Why alcoholic heartburn occurs

Alcohol is an aggressive medium for the stomach. One way or another, all alcoholic beverages act on the digestive system. “A glass of wine for appetite” or “one hundred grams” can really awaken the feeling of hunger. This appetite is caused by irritation of nerve endings and increased secretion of gastric juice in response to ethanol. Different drinks can cause heartburn in different ways due to alcohol:

• Wine. Although not strong, and does not seriously affect the mucous membrane, but its use provokes fermentation. The stomach bursts, the sphincter can not cope with the increased pressure, and reflux occurs. In addition, in modern store wines there are additives that provoke inflammation of the mucosa.
• Beer is a low-alcohol drink. The ethanol content in it is minimal, but there is an abundance of carbon dioxide. Under its action, bloating occurs, the lower esophageal sphincter cannot hold the contents of the stomach.
• Vodka, brandy and all drinks with a strength above 40 degrees. Ethanol begins to be absorbed into the blood already in the mouth and in the esophagus, it itself burns the mucous membranes. The task of gastric juice is to dilute ethanol. Such juice is different from normal: it contains a minimum amount of digestive enzymes, because the body does not want to digest alcohol, but rather get rid of it. Juice with a low content of enzymes and a high concentration of hydrochloric acid is produced until 5% of alcohol remains in the stomach. Each new portion of the drink provokes an even greater production of gastric juice.

Unhealthy diet and regimen are added to the causes of heartburn after alcohol, because alcohol often accompanies junk food, fatty snacks, trans fats, soda. This food on its own can cause heartburn, and when combined with alcohol, it does a double whammy.

Symptoms of heartburn

The main symptom of heartburn after alcohol is burning. It can be described in more detail as follows:

• Aching sensation in the stomach, similar to hunger. At the same time, a person does not want to eat, because the gastric juice does not secrete a sufficient amount of enzymes.
• Bakes behind the sternum. This symptom is often confused with heart or lung disease. If the burning sensation is accompanied by pain, it does not stop, but only intensifies, it is worth calling an ambulance. This may indeed be a sign of a heart attack, but irritation without pain is most likely heartburn.
• Burning esophagus after alcohol. In addition to the stomach, there may be a burning sensation in the neck and throat. Alcohol could damage the mucous membranes of the upper digestive system.
• Bloating is a sign that may accompany heartburn. Vodka is more likely to cause heaviness, bloating is provoked by wine and beer.

Alcoholic heartburn can occur even the next day after taking it. Frequent excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can be one of the reasons for the development of:

• ulcers;
• gastritis;
• GERD.

Diseases of the liver, pancreas and other important organs are also possible, so you need to pay attention to additional signs of heartburn.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of heartburn after alcohol is needed in cases where attacks are regular and appear after drinking alcohol. Even a healthy body feels the symptoms of heartburn if it “went through” in the evening. But when discomfort is a constant phenomenon, occurs after eating, more than once a week, a person can become a patient of a gastroenterologist.

The first thing a doctor suspects is GERD, he may order an antacid test. If after taking them, heartburn goes away, most likely, its cause is reflux. This test is recommended by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine as a differential diagnosis[2].

Diseases of other organs can cause heartburn: heart, pancreas and even bronchopulmonary system. To exclude them, you need confirmation of an acid-dependent disease.

Basic heartburn studies:

• blood test – determines biochemical parameters;
• detection of Helicobacter pylori in case of suspected gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• Abdominal ultrasound;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy or FGDS – examination of the stomach and esophagus using optical instruments;
• gastric pH measurement;
• determination of intraesophageal pressure;
• fecal analysis.

After alcohol, heartburn is dangerous if additional symptoms appear:

• pain in the right hypochondrium, vomiting, pallor or cyanosis of the skin may indicate severe intoxication of the body;
• developing anemia, weight loss, blood in the feces are witnesses of precancerous conditions [3].

It is not worth diagnosing on your own, this should be done by a doctor.

Treatment

Heartburn after alcohol does not require special treatment if it is an isolated case. You just need to eliminate the cause and neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. But if the intake of alcoholic beverages is regular, you should think about changing your lifestyle.

Heartburn is just a symptom. If there is already a disease in the body, it is treated first. The approach to therapy is different, it depends on the complexity of the process and the nature of the disease.

Antacids are used to relieve the discomfort of heartburn. These substances quickly neutralize hydrochloric acid and relieve unpleasant burning. The World Organization of Gastroenterology recommends taking antacids for reflux disease [4]. They also work against alcoholic heartburn. Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate increase the pH of gastric juice within minutes [5]. Rennie ^® is a preparation that contains both substances. Thanks to the combined action, an attack of heartburn disappears after 2 minutes.

Rennie ^® chewable tablets. The convenient form is easy to use and allows you to always carry tablets in your bag. A pleasant mint or orange flavor brings freshness after a persistent alcohol smell.

Although Rennie ^® has a favorable safety profile, you should carefully read the instructions and consult your doctor before using any medication.

[1] Heartburn Handbook. Global Perspectives. World Organization of Gastroenterologists, 2015.

[2] UNIFICATION OF CLINICAL PROTOCOL OF PRIMARY, SECONDARY (specialized) MEDICAL CARE.