How can you effectively treat a hangover headache. What are the most reliable home remedies for hangover relief. Why does alcohol cause hangover symptoms. Which preventive measures can reduce the severity of a hangover.

Understanding Hangover Headaches: Causes and Mechanisms

Hangover headaches are a common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. But what exactly causes these debilitating headaches? The primary culprit is dehydration, as alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing increased urination and fluid loss. Additionally, alcohol disrupts sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and heightened pain sensitivity.

Another key factor is the buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. This compound contributes to inflammation and oxidative stress, exacerbating hangover symptoms. Furthermore, alcohol can trigger the release of certain hormones and chemicals that dilate blood vessels, potentially leading to headaches.

The Role of Congeners in Hangover Severity

Congeners are byproducts of fermentation found in varying amounts in different types of alcoholic beverages. Darker liquors like whiskey and red wine typically contain higher levels of congeners compared to clearer spirits like vodka. Research suggests that drinks with higher congener content may lead to more severe hangovers, including more intense headaches.

Scientifically-Backed Remedies for Hangover Headache Relief

While there’s no magic cure for a hangover, several evidence-based strategies can help alleviate symptoms, particularly headaches:

1. Vitamin B6 Supplementation

Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in alcohol metabolism and may help reduce hangover severity. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that participants who took vitamin B6 supplements before, during, and after drinking experienced fewer hangover symptoms, including headaches. Consider incorporating B6-rich foods into your pre-drinking meal or taking a supplement to potentially mitigate hangover effects.

2. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs like ibuprofen can effectively combat hangover headaches by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals. However, it’s crucial to use these medications cautiously, as they may increase the risk of stomach irritation when combined with alcohol. Always follow the recommended dosage and avoid taking them on an empty stomach.

3. Electrolyte-Rich Beverages

Replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes is essential for hangover recovery. Sports drinks containing electrolytes can help restore hydration levels more quickly than water alone. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that beverages like Gatorade were particularly effective for rapid rehydration. However, be mindful of sugar content, as excessive sugar intake may worsen hangover symptoms.

4. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

NAC is an amino acid that supports the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. By taking NAC supplements before drinking, you may help your body neutralize acetaldehyde more efficiently, potentially reducing the severity of hangover symptoms, including headaches. A typical preventive dose ranges from 200 to 300 milligrams, taken at least 30 minutes before alcohol consumption.

Lifestyle Strategies to Prevent and Manage Hangover Headaches

Prevention is often the best cure when it comes to hangover headaches. Implementing these lifestyle strategies can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing severe hangover symptoms:

• Pace yourself: Drink slowly and alternate alcoholic beverages with water or non-alcoholic drinks.
• Choose your drinks wisely: Opt for drinks with lower congener content, such as vodka or gin.
• Eat before and during drinking: Food helps slow alcohol absorption and maintain blood sugar levels.
• Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the night and before bed to combat dehydration.
• Get adequate sleep: Allow your body time to recover and process the alcohol.

The Power of Nutrition in Hangover Recovery

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in mitigating hangover symptoms and supporting your body’s recovery process. Certain foods and nutrients can help replenish lost vitamins, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation associated with hangovers.

Nutrient-Rich Foods for Hangover Relief

Incorporate these nutrient-dense foods into your post-drinking meal plan to support recovery:

1. Eggs: Rich in cysteine, which helps break down acetaldehyde.
2. Bananas: High in potassium, which aids in electrolyte balance.
3. Oatmeal: Provides complex carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugar levels.
4. Ginger: Helps alleviate nausea and reduce inflammation.
5. Spinach: Packed with vitamins and minerals to replenish depleted nutrients.

By focusing on nutrient-rich, easily digestible foods, you can support your body’s natural detoxification processes and accelerate recovery from a hangover.

The Controversial Role of “Hair of the Dog” in Hangover Treatment

The practice of consuming alcohol to alleviate hangover symptoms, commonly known as “hair of the dog,” is a controversial topic in hangover management. While some individuals swear by this method, it’s essential to understand the science behind it and its potential risks.

The Science Behind “Hair of the Dog”

The theory behind this practice suggests that consuming alcohol during a hangover can temporarily alleviate symptoms by raising blood alcohol levels, effectively delaying the onset of more severe hangover effects. Additionally, certain cocktails used for this purpose, such as the Bloody Mary, contain ingredients that may offer some hangover relief (e.g., tomato juice for hydration and vitamins).

Risks and Long-Term Consequences

Despite potential short-term relief, the “hair of the dog” approach is not recommended by health professionals. This method can lead to a cycle of continued drinking and may increase the risk of alcohol dependence. Moreover, it doesn’t address the underlying causes of hangover symptoms and may prolong the recovery process.

The Impact of Sleep on Hangover Recovery

Quality sleep plays a crucial role in hangover recovery, yet alcohol consumption often disrupts normal sleep patterns. Understanding the relationship between alcohol, sleep, and hangover symptoms can help you develop strategies to improve recovery.

Alcohol’s Effect on Sleep Architecture

While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it significantly impairs sleep quality. It reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is essential for cognitive function and emotional regulation. This disruption can exacerbate hangover symptoms, particularly headaches and fatigue.

Strategies for Improving Post-Drinking Sleep

• Avoid screens before bed to reduce blue light exposure
• Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleeping environment
• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
• Consider using a white noise machine to improve sleep quality

By prioritizing sleep hygiene after drinking, you can support your body’s natural recovery processes and potentially reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.

The Role of Genetics in Hangover Susceptibility

Emerging research suggests that genetic factors may influence an individual’s susceptibility to hangovers and the severity of their symptoms. Understanding these genetic components could lead to more personalized approaches to hangover prevention and treatment.

Key Genetic Factors Influencing Hangover Susceptibility

Several genetic variations have been identified that may affect hangover risk and severity:

• Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes: Variations in these genes can affect how quickly alcohol is metabolized
• Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes: Mutations in ALDH2, common in East Asian populations, can lead to acetaldehyde buildup and more severe hangovers
• Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene: Variations can influence how efficiently the body breaks down alcohol

While genetic testing for hangover susceptibility is not yet widely available, understanding your family history and personal reactions to alcohol can help inform your drinking habits and prevention strategies.

Innovative Hangover Prevention Products: Separating Fact from Fiction

The market is flooded with products claiming to prevent or cure hangovers. However, many of these lack scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Let’s examine some popular hangover prevention products and evaluate their potential benefits and limitations.

Hangover Prevention Supplements

Several supplements claim to reduce hangover symptoms when taken before or during drinking. These often contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbs. While some ingredients, like vitamin B complex and milk thistle, have shown promise in supporting liver function, the overall effectiveness of these products in preventing hangovers remains largely unproven.

Electrolyte Tablets and Powders

Products designed to quickly replenish electrolytes can be beneficial for combating dehydration associated with alcohol consumption. While they may help alleviate some hangover symptoms, they are not a cure-all solution and work best when combined with adequate hydration and responsible drinking habits.

Activated Charcoal Products

Some products claim that activated charcoal can absorb toxins from alcohol, reducing hangover severity. However, scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited, and activated charcoal is more commonly used for acute poisoning rather than hangover prevention.

When considering hangover prevention products, it’s essential to approach claims critically and prioritize evidence-based strategies for reducing alcohol’s negative effects.

The Psychological Aspects of Hangovers and Their Management

While the physical symptoms of hangovers are well-documented, the psychological impact is often overlooked. Understanding and addressing the mental and emotional aspects of hangovers can be crucial for comprehensive recovery and prevention strategies.

Anxiety and Depression Associated with Hangovers

Many individuals experience heightened anxiety or depressive symptoms during a hangover, often referred to as “hangxiety.” This can be attributed to various factors, including:

• Alcohol’s effect on neurotransmitter balance
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances affecting brain function
• Sleep disruption leading to increased irritability and mood swings
• Guilt or regret over actions taken while intoxicated

Cognitive Impairment and Decision-Making

Hangovers can significantly impact cognitive function, affecting memory, attention, and decision-making abilities. This cognitive impairment can persist for hours or even days after drinking, potentially affecting work performance and daily activities.

Strategies for Managing Psychological Hangover Symptoms

1. Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
2. Engage in light physical activity to boost mood and endorphin levels
3. Seek social support from friends or family
4. Avoid making important decisions or engaging in stressful activities during recovery
5. Consider cognitive behavioral techniques to address negative thought patterns associated with hangovers

By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of hangovers, individuals can develop more comprehensive and effective strategies for managing and preventing these unpleasant experiences.

Long-Term Health Implications of Frequent Hangovers

While occasional hangovers may seem like a mere inconvenience, frequent and severe hangovers can have significant long-term health implications. Understanding these risks can motivate individuals to adopt more responsible drinking habits and prioritize hangover prevention.

Increased Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder

Research suggests that individuals who experience frequent or severe hangovers may be at higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). This increased risk may be due to:

• Tolerance development, leading to increased alcohol consumption over time
• Using alcohol to alleviate hangover symptoms, potentially creating a cycle of dependence
• Neuroadaptations in the brain’s reward system resulting from repeated alcohol exposure and withdrawal

Cognitive Function and Brain Health

Chronic heavy drinking and frequent hangovers have been associated with long-term cognitive impairment and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Studies have shown that repeated alcohol-induced brain inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to:

• Reduced gray and white matter volume in the brain
• Impaired executive function and decision-making abilities
• Increased risk of early-onset dementia

Cardiovascular Health

While moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with potential cardiovascular benefits, frequent binge drinking and hangovers can have detrimental effects on heart health. Risks include:

• Increased blood pressure and risk of hypertension
• Higher likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation
• Elevated risk of stroke and heart disease

Liver Function and Disease

The liver bears the brunt of alcohol metabolism, and frequent hangovers can indicate a pattern of drinking that may lead to liver damage over time. Long-term risks include:

• Fatty liver disease
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Increased risk of liver cancer

Strategies for Mitigating Long-Term Health Risks

1. Practice moderation: Adhere to recommended drinking guidelines
2. Implement regular alcohol-free days to allow your body to recover
3. Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support liver function
4. Engage in regular exercise to boost overall health and potentially reduce alcohol cravings
5. Seek professional help if you’re concerned about your drinking habits or frequency of hangovers

By understanding the potential long-term consequences of frequent hangovers, individuals can make more informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and prioritize their overall health and well-being.

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.

7 ways to cope with a hangover that really work

• Health

The next morning after a party, you have a headache, feel sick and don’t want to live at all. A Harvard Medical School expert has listed simple tricks to help you get back in shape as soon as possible.

March 17, 2022

Source:

pexels.com

A hangover is the worst, but almost always inevitable, consequence of a wild party. Some can drink a very small dose of alcohol, and in the morning suffer no worse than those who have mastered five times more. Hangovers always manifest in different ways, but physiologically, they are the result of how much alcohol your liver can process at one time.

Hangover symptoms are typical:

• headache,

• nausea,

• weakness,

• 9 0008 drowsiness,

• muscle pain,

• dizziness.

Some people complain about high blood pressure, diarrhea, heart palpitations, heavy sweating .

The severity of symptoms depends on how much alcohol you have drunk, how strong the drinks were, and how quickly your body is able to cope with poisoning. Alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a substance that is toxic at high concentrations and can take hours or even days to bounce back.

Why the next morning is so bad

Some of the alcohol enters your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach. Another part passes through the small intestine to the liver, where enzymes begin to break it down. Such processes do not go unnoticed: you may experience insomnia, since the acetaldehyde contained in alcoholic beverages affects the functioning of the brain.

The same toxic substance knocks down the hormones that regulate our body clock, so a hangover can feel like a jet lag – the day changes places with the night. Alcohol can also trigger migraines, which is why many people mistakenly think they have a hangover.

Read also

How to get rid of a hangover

Dr. Robert Swift, an expert at Harvard Medical School, has been involved in toxicology for decades. He published his first works on the effects of alcohol on the body back in 1998. His advice is relevant to this day, writes The Sun.

• The first piece of advice from the list is don’t get drunk. Many mistakenly think that if they drink a little alcohol in the morning, then all unpleasant symptoms will immediately disappear. Firstly, this method can harm, you will only get worse. Secondly, there will definitely not be any benefit from it, you may develop a habit of drinking after a party, which is not so easy to get rid of. “It’s like pulling hair out of a dog that has bitten you. The effect is zero, and you can run into even more trouble, ”says Dr. Swift.

• Drink more water. Any hangover is always dehydration. And in order for him to recover as soon as possible, he needs liquid. Plain water or natural fruit drink is perfect.

• Eat some carbs. Alcohol can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, which can cause headaches and weakness. Many people also forget to eat when they drink alcohol, which only exacerbates the symptoms. A sweet toast, a glass of juice, a few pieces of chocolate will make you feel better.

See also

• Avoid dark colored alcohol. Past research has shown that dark-coloured spirits such as whiskey or red wine are heavy artillery. It is after them that the hangover syndrome is felt the hardest. Ideally, of course, give up any alcohol. But if you have a choice between a glass of white and red, then choose the first option.

• Do not be afraid of painkillers. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve headaches. However, you should not take medicines that contain acetaminophen, such as the well-known paracetamol. It can irritate the stomach, and if the alcohol lingers in your system, it can increase the toxic effects of acetaminophen on the liver.

• Don’t forget tea and coffee. There is a misconception that these two drinks only make hangovers worse. Actually it is not. Natural tea and coffee without additives will help you cope with lethargy and recover faster.

• Focus on foods that are rich in zinc and B vitamins. Scientists have concluded that these two trace elements help the body recover faster. So, rich in zinc: beef, veal, pumpkin seeds, seafood, almonds, dark chocolate. B vitamins can be found in buckwheat, oatmeal, spinach, walnuts, eggs, sweet potatoes, legumes, cauliflower, rye bread, cheese, tomatoes, and milk.

Even if you drink infrequently and a little bit, you still cannot consider such a dosage to be safe. The only way to protect yourself from harm is to give up alcohol for good. It has even become fashionable to stop drinking. Recently, many stars and not only give up alcohol not just for a week or two, but stop drinking alcohol completely and irrevocably. What happens to the body if you abstain from alcohol for at least a month? “Doctor Peter” dealt with the expert.

Text author:Sofya Khromova

How to get rid of a headache after alcohol, how to get rid of a headache when drinking? Traditional methods + advice from a narcologist

CONTENTS

1. Causes of pain in the head after drinking alcohol or hard drinking

2. Description of the mechanism of headache development

2.1. General intoxication

2.2. Influence on blood vessels

2.3. Dehydration

2.4. Endocrine Disorders

2.5. Other causes

3. How to relieve a headache when drinking heavily

3.1. Headache relief in case of mild poisoning

3.2. Headache relief from binge drinking and chronic alcoholism

4. Medicines that can be used for headache after alcohol

not to have a headache

7. What not to take for a headache after a binge

Drinking alcohol causes such harm to the body that it would be surprising if the head did not hurt.

Headache affects the well-being and obviously needs to be eliminated. Narcologists use different methods to relieve pain. Headache is relieved by medication, but people who often drink alcohol often use folk methods. It is very important to consult a specialist if independent attempts to get rid of a headache have not been successful.

Causes of pain in the head after drinking alcohol or binge

Cephalgia (the medical name for headache after alcohol) occurs against the background of painful factors caused by the harmful effects of ethanol, which is essentially a neurotoxic poison. Even small amounts of drunk alcohol have a negative effect on the brain, heart, liver, and other organs.

Alcohol has a destructive effect on the body at the cellular level:

• cell membranes are destroyed;
• organelle functions are disturbed;
• the cell nucleus is destroyed.

Headache is a consequence of the influence of alcohol on brain neurons and a consistent reaction from poisoned body tissues.

Another reason why pain sensations are formed is intoxication with ethanol breakdown products. One of the most dangerous is acetaldehyde, which has particularly toxic properties. Able to accumulate in the body immediately after the end of the euphoria phase. A person experiences a hangover and headache after alcohol due to the fact that acetaldehyde affects the body.

Description of the mechanism of headache development

A small amount of quality alcohol drunk the day before usually does not cause any side effects. But it also happens that even one glass of strong alcohol can cause a headache. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the state of human health.

The fact is that alcohol combines several properties that affect the body in different ways. Elements of alcohol are easily absorbed by cells and tissues, enter into reactions with them and at the same time have a detrimental effect on them.

Doctors identify several mechanisms, each of which can cause hangovers and headaches.

General intoxication

It is believed that this is the main cause of pain. The decay products of ethanol poison the liver and brain cells. Hangovers and headaches usually disappear soon as toxic metabolites are eliminated, but the liver has already received an undeserved load, which can later lead to alcoholic hepatitis and even cirrhosis.

Influence on blood vessels

Ethanol constricts blood vessels and causes vascular spasms. As a result, brain cells are deprived of a full-fledged supply of oxygen, as a result, a headache appears. The spasm is removed with medication, but the weakness does not go away for a long time. A dangerous condition that can cause a stroke.

Dehydration

This is a serious negative consequence of drinking alcohol. In the body, the amount of cellular fluid decreases, the blood thickens. Intoxication becomes pronounced, the headache is very strong. The condition is aggravated by nausea and vomiting. Dehydration is dangerous by thrombosis.

Disorders of the endocrine system

A serious consequence of prolonged alcohol use. A person experiences severe pain, including headaches. Accompanied by rapid weight gain or weight loss, deterioration of cognitive functions.

Other causes

Headaches can be caused by more than just alcohol. The reason may be a snack that a person consumed the day before along with alcohol. Very often these are salty and fatty dishes, smoked meats, soda, an abundance of seasonings. Such products put an additional load on the liver, which in turn slows down the metabolism of ethanol. There is another side of the coin – drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. In this case, the concentration of metabolites reaches the limit, the hangover is more pronounced.

If you have a headache immediately after drinking alcohol, you should see a doctor. It is possible that there is an individual intolerance to alcohol or its components. Signs of an allergy may include swelling, redness, and altered breathing. This is the case when going to the doctor can save a life.

How to relieve a headache when drinking?

Doctors take a different approach when relieving headaches with binge drinking.

For example, alcohol withdrawal and mild intoxication can be stopped with the help of folk remedies that are always at hand, or light drug therapy can be used.

Cephalgia in people with acute addiction is aggravated by hypertension, chronic intoxication, exacerbation of chronic diseases. Here treatment is required complex.

Headache relief in case of mild poisoning

In case of household alcohol poisoning, headache can be stopped in simple ways:

• contrast shower without temperature changes;
• cold compress on forehead;
• mineral water, fruit drink, cabbage brine to restore water balance;
• lie down in a quiet environment, sleep if possible.

If the poisoning is more pronounced, then the following should help:

• gastric lavage with a light manganese solution;
• cabbage pickle without vinegar;
• intake of enterosorbents;
• decoction of St. John’s wort, motherwort, wild rose;
• taking mild painkillers: analgin, ibuprofen, aspirin.

In case of mild alcohol poisoning, do not relieve a headache with a glass of alcohol. This method is only applicable to stage 2 alcoholics.

If the condition has not improved, then the only way out is to call the doctor.

Removal of headaches in binge drinking and chronic alcoholism

Treatment here should be complex and take place in several stages:

• detoxification dropper for blood purification, normalization of water-salt balance and elimination of toxins;
• taking symptomatic drugs;
• taking nootropics and anxiolytics to normalize the mental state.

Even after the doctors stopped drinking and eliminated the patient’s withdrawal symptoms, the headache may persist. This is due to mental disorders caused by prolonged alcoholism, or residual cravings. In such cases, psychotherapy is prescribed.

Medicines that can be used for headaches after alcohol

It is advisable not to self-medicate yourself. Only a doctor based on a lot of data can prescribe suitable drugs. However, to relieve a morning headache without a doctor’s prescription, you can take the following medicines:

• Aspirin. It thins the blood, enhances its flow to the vessels of the brain, and partially eliminates edema. Contributes to the normalization of the physical condition.
• Absorbent. The most accessible, popular and inexpensive absorbent is activated carbon. Helps to bind and accelerate the elimination of toxins and ethanol breakdown products. Take 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight for 2-3 days.
• Potassium and magnesium preparations. Their reception contributes to the normalization of the activity of the heart and blood vessels, restores the transmission of nerve impulses.
• Antioxidants. They prevent toxic poisoning of the brain and liver, contribute to the normalization of sleep, produce the hormone dopamine.
• Hepatoprotectors. Their intake has a good effect on the normal functioning of the liver, contributes to the restoration of its cells.
• Neurometabolic stimulants. Taken to improve brain function and stimulate cognitive functions. The drugs reduce vegetative disorders.

Of course, taking drugs can significantly improve the condition, with the right approach, the body will return to normal very quickly, the head will stop hurting. But it’s not enough just to take a pill, you need to create conditions under which the medicine will act in the right direction – to recover from alcohol poisoning.

Non-drug ways to deal with a headache after alcohol

You can relieve a headache without taking medication. Doctors recommend using the following methods:

• Contrast shower without visible temperature difference. The procedure stimulates blood circulation, relieves discomfort.
• Slow walks in the fresh air. Best suited park, forest or waterfront. When it’s hot, it’s better to stay at home.
• Large fluid intake. It is best if these are simple drinks at room temperature: water, herbal tea and decoctions, unsweetened fruit drink. The head can hurt from dehydration, and restoring the water-salt balance will make it possible to get rid of the headache faster.
• Organization of the correct daily routine. A good rest with good sleep and calm daytime communication will work to relieve headaches.

If pressure allows, you can drink coffee, do exercises.

Click here to see the conditions, tariffs and prices for treatment

What to do so that your head does not hurt

The more and more often a person consumes alcohol, the higher the risk of developing conditions that seriously threaten life: a heart attack, stroke, hypertensive crisis, cardiac arrhythmia.

You can avoid headaches if you follow simple rules:

• Take only high-quality alcohol from trusted producers, check for certificates and documents.
• Never drink alcohol of unknown origin. It may contain methanol: a deadly poison that leads to blindness, and in the worst case, death.
• Be sure to take alcohol only with a good snack that does not overload the liver. A little fatty food or a butter sandwich will slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
• Do not exceed the safe dosage, drink at least half a glass of water after each serving of alcohol.
• It is recommended to drink alcohol no more than twice a week (the best prevention of headaches is not to drink at all).
• Regularly undergo scheduled medical examinations or examinations in order to identify possible pathologies or malfunctions of internal organs as early as possible.

What not to take for a headache after a binge

In order for the condition after a binge to really normalize, so that a person does not get worse, you need to get out of binge correctly. For example, it is categorically not recommended to treat a headache even with a small dose of alcohol – this method is only suitable for patients diagnosed with stage 2 alcoholism. The fact is that the metabolism of ethanol is constant, it does not depend on the amount of alcohol consumed. A new portion of alcohol will overload the liver, since it has not yet had time to “utilize” the alcohol taken the day before. A light-drinking person after a morning glass will get drunk again, or he will simply vomit.

In rare cases, after a morning hangover, relief comes, but then the head starts to hurt again. As a result, such a vicious circle threatens to turn into a binge, from which it is much more difficult to get out than just getting rid of a headache.

Cucumber pickle also does not help everyone, especially if you drink it in excess. Of course, it will help restore water balance and electrolyte deficiency, but if you overdo it, you can seriously overload the kidneys, as a result, the removal of fluid from the body slows down. It is best to take cabbage pickle, but also in reasonable amounts. And, of course, no marinades!

Do not take a hot bath and shower, do heavy physical exertion.

Paracetamol and preparations with this active substance are not suitable for relieving headaches:

• panadol;
• efferalgan;
• ibuclin;
• Tylenol;
• ifimol;
• apotel;

Paracetamol is also found in many antipyretic powders that are taken as hot drinks.