7 ways to get over a hangover

Fluid intake may lessen the unpleasantness of the morning after drinking.

The body seems to use hangovers as a warning mechanism to warn us about the dangers of overindulgence. Physically, it involves many people: The typical symptoms include shaking, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, and diarrhea. Sometimes, the heart beats more quickly than usual, the sweat glands overproduce, and systolic blood pressure (the top number) increases. These symptoms are signs that the "fight or flight" response is activated. Some people develop sensitivity to sound or light. Others get dizziness (vertigo).

As varied as the symptoms are the reasons. Acetaldehyde, a product of the metabolism of alcohol, is poisonous at large concentrations. That's not the whole answer, though, as concentrations don't typically reach that high.

Because drinking disrupts brain function while you sleep, a hangover might be considered a sort of sleep deprivation. The hormones that control our biological clocks are thrown off by alcohol, which may be why a hangover can feel like jet lag and vice versa. Some people may mistakenly believe they have a hangover when they actually have an alcohol-induced migraine because alcohol can also produce migraines.

After blood alcohol levels start to decline, hangovers start to occur. In fact, some specialists argue that the worst effects happen when levels are zero.

The main component appears to be "drinking to drunkenness"; the amount of alcohol consumed to get there is less crucial. In fact, according to a number of studies, light and moderate drinkers are more likely to experience a hangover than heavy drinkers. However, contrary data suggests that those with a family history of alcoholism experience harsher hangovers. According to researchers, some people who drink to ease the effects of a hangover may develop drinking issues.

What alleviates a hangover?

One of the few reviews of hangovers was coauthored by Dr. Robert Swift, a researcher at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rhode Island, in 1998. It's still one of the sources that is most commonly quoted on the subject. The list of hangover cures that follows is based on that evaluation, a discussion with Dr. Swift, as well as a number of other sources.

Dog hair is number one. Taking the hair of the dog, or taking the hair of the dog that bit you, refers to drinking to alleviate the effects of a hangover. The idea is that since hangovers are a type of alcohol withdrawal, a few drinks will help.

Dr. Swift believes that there might be something to it. He notes that GABA receptors on brain cells are affected by alcohol as well as some sedatives like benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium). Furthermore, it is widely known that some persons have withdrawal symptoms as the effects of short-acting sedatives wear off. Perhaps as blood alcohol levels start to decline, the brain responds similarly.

2. Sip liquids. Because it prevents the hormone vasopressin, which causes the kidneys to produce less urine, from being released into the body, alcohol encourages urination. You can be even more dehydrated if your hangover causes vomiting, sweating, or diarrhea. Even a few sips of water may alleviate your hangover, despite the fact that nausea can make it difficult to swallow anything.

3. Give your body some carbohydrates. The exhaustion and headaches associated with a hangover could theoretically be caused in part by the brain working without enough of its primary fuel because drinking may drop blood sugar levels. Additionally, many drinkers neglect to eat, further reducing their blood sugar levels. Toast and juice are a gentle method to return levels to normal.

4. Steer clear of alcoholic drinks with deeper hues. According to studies, dark alcoholic beverages like whiskey, red wine, and tequila are more likely to result in a hangover than clear alcoholic beverages like vodka and gin. Although ethanol is the primary type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages, the darker liquors also contain chemically related substances (congeners), such as methanol. The same enzymes are involved in processing both ethanol and methanol, but methanol's harmful byproducts may result in a worse hangover, according to Dr. Swift's review report.

5. Do not take Tylenol as a painkiller. The headache and general aches and pains may be relieved by aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, other brands), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). However, NSAIDs may aggravate an already inflamed stomach brought on by alcohol. Take no acetaminophen (Tylenol). Alcohol may intensify the liver-damaging effects of acetaminophen if it is still present in your system.

6. Sip tea or coffee. Although caffeine is a stimulant, it may aid with the grogginess even if it doesn't have any special anti-hangover properties.

7. Zinc and B vitamins. A recent study analyzed the diets for 24 hours prior to and following excessive drinking in The Journal of Clinical Medicine. The outcomes of the little study were based on the participants' reports of their diets. However, they did discover that those with less severe hangovers consumed more foods and beverages high in zinc and B vitamins.