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How to Cure a Hangover? 12 Steps

What is a Hangover?

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It is a term which describes the unpleasant physiological effects after heavy consumption of alcohol-rich beverages. The symptoms generally vary from mild to severe discomfort.

Since every person is unique, each person will react to alcohol consumption differently. There is no particularly amount of alcohol that leads to a hangover. Generally, when a person has consumed more than he or she can handle, a hangover is experienced. Experts say that a hangover is a term used to describe the body’s reaction to alcohol overconsumption.

Causes of Hangover

When  a single alcoholic beverage is consumed, it will be enough to cause a hangover for some people who have a low tolerance level for alcohol. There have been etiological factors or causes of hangover and below is the list of them:

  • It causes irritation in the stomach lining

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, causing an increase in stomach acid production, and delayed stomach emptying. Consequently, the person will experience nausea, vomiting, or pain in the abdominal region.

  • It expands your blood vessels

When this occurs, the person will experience headaches.

  • It leads to sleepiness or drowsiness

When a person overindulges in alcohol consumption, sleepiness occurs, leading to fatigue and grogginess.

  • It decreases your blood sugar level

Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia, which causes symptoms of shakiness, weakness, mood disturbance, seizures, and fatigue.

  • It triggers the immune system and its inflammatory response

A person who consumes too much alcohol will experience symptoms like memory problems, decreased appetite, loss of interest in usual activities, and inability to concentrate on any given task.

  • It contains congeners which is an ingredient in alcoholic beverages

Congeners are ingredients that give flavor to the alcohol and greatly contribute to a hangover episode. Known to be byproducts of alcoholic fermentation, congners are found in huge amounts in dark wines compared to  lighter ones. Examples of dark wines include red wine, whiskey, and brandy.

  • It contains ethanol which causes dehydration

Ethanol has many effects on a person. Besides dehydration, ethanol can leads to the functional impairment of the liver, causing moodiness, decreased attention, weakness, or fatigue.

Symptoms of Hangover

Alcohol is generally known to be a diuretic, and when a person drinks too much of it, he or she will be at high risk of dehydration. The person will experience frequent urination, leading to a loss of body fluids. Alcohol overconsumption may also lead to brain dehydration which results in intense headaches during the hangover period. Other hangover symptoms include the following:

  • Decreased concentration
  • Palpitations
  • Sleep alterations
  • Nausea
  • Sweating episodes
  • Halitosis or bad breath
  • Sensitivity to noise and light
  • Dysphoria
  • Pain in the stomach
  • Thirst
  • Muscular aches
  • Headaches
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Shakiness
  • Dizziness
  • Mood disturbance (irritability, anxiety, and depression)
  • Body aches
  • Flatulence
  • Hypersalivation
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of perception

How to Cure a Hangover

How to cure a hangover is typically the number-one question in the back of anybody’s mind. Nobody can escape a hangover when too much alcohol is consumed. The good news is that there is a way to combat a hangover. There are actually twelve ways to cure a hangover.

  1. Hydrate with lots of water

The first tip is the need to hydrate.  As mentioned earlier, alcoholic consumption will lead to dehydration episodes. Hence, drink water between alcoholic consumption and before hitting the bunk.

  1. Eat first before drinking alcohol

By eating a high fat meal which lets the body slowly digest the fat will protect the stomach lining from irritation.

  1. Sleep

When alcoholic beverages are consumed, the body needs to recover from the toxicities of the alcohol. Hence, sleep as well as rest are needed for the body and mind.

  1. Take multivitamins

The number-four tip is to take multivitamins, especially vitamin B6 which will help during hangover days. As mentioned, alcohol, which is a diuretic, has a tendency to excrete not only water but essential vitamins. Hence, multivitamins are needed to replenish what was excreted.

  1. Engage in exercise or physical activity

Studies show that when a person engages in any form of physical activity or exercise, his or her body produces endorphins which effectively boost mood. It is important to remember to hydrate with water during any physical activity or exercise after alcohol consumption.

  1. Drink juice rich in vitamin C

The number-six tip is the consumption of juices that are rich in vitamin C such as orange juice. Such beverages will help increase the energy level, which is needed to combat fatigue caused by hangover episodes.

  1. Consume egg after a hangover

Consuming eggs is one of the best treatments to cure a hangover. Eggs are the known to have albumin, which is a natural protein. Furthermore, eggs are osmotic, so consuming eggs can help rehydration in cases of dehydration during a hangover.

  1. Drink caffeinated beverages

Another thing to consider is to drink caffeine-rich beverages.  Caffeine is a noted vasoconstrictor, which can help people who suffer from a hangover, and it also relieves headaches.

  1. Take pain relievers with care

If headaches and other body aches occur, then medications for pain can be taken. However, it should be stressed that not all pain relievers are good especially when intoxicated with alcohol. Acetaminophen like Tylenol should be avoided as much as possible.

  1. Eat toast or crackers with honey

Another tip is to eat crackers with honey.  This is an effective food which flushes the alcohol out of the body. Honey contains fructose which helps expel the alcohol from the body.

  1. Take a cool shower

Alcohol, which is a diuretic, is also known to cause vasodilation. Hence, taking a cool shower will lead to vasoconstriction.

  1. Adding sugar and salt to water

As mentioned earlier, there is a need to hydrate with water. In the case of the twelfth tip, the body needs to replenish electrolytes that were expelled during vomiting. Hence, electrolytes can be replaced by consuming water with added salt and sugar (which are key electrolytes).

Through doing such tips mentioned under how to cure a hangover, you will prevent, as much as possible, the experience of undergoing hangover.

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