There is no cure for Hangover but the symptoms can be relieved – Medical Doctor
There is no hangover “cure”.
Hang-over “cures” are a myth.
However there are simple things you can do to avoid a hangover and feel better if you have one.
So what can you do then?
Let me clarify:
That you take alcohol does NOT mean you will have a hangover. A hangover usually happens after a night of “heavy drinking”. But don’t get it mixed up, it may not necessarily be “heavy”. Because what is heavy drinking to one person may be nothing to another.
So how do you know you have a hangover? Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache
Dry mouth
Nausea
Vomiting
Tummy aches
Thirst Anxiety
Feeling tired
Loss of appetite
Inability to concentrate
These are the commonest signs that a person is having a hangover.
It can last up to 24hours.
Simple tips that helps:
Eat well before you drink.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
Drink at your own pace.
Drink a glass of water or fruit juice after every glass of alcohol.
That would keep you hydrated.
Pee as often as you can.
That helps to get the alcohol off your system.
Simple tips that helps:
Eat well before you drink.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
Drink at your own pace.
Drink a glass of water or fruit juice after every glass of alcohol.
That would keep you hydrated.
Pee as often as you can.
That helps to get the alcohol off your system.
Don’t drink any dark-coloured drinks especially if you are sensitive to them or you are not sure. They contain chemicals called congeners- which irritate the blood vessels in the brain and make an hangover worse.
Do NOT drink any softdrinks together or in between taking alcohol.
Soft drinks speed up the rate at which alcohol enters your system. So while it may be “fun” to mix Coke with Hennessy- you have to know that is the fastest way for the alcohol to enter you and have maximal effect. Food slows that process down however. So, eating well is advised.
Now if you already have a hangover,
What can you do?
Hangover symptoms as I said above is mostly due to the effects of dehydration and low blood sugar on your body. There’s no scientifically or medically proven “cure” for it.
However, what you can do to minimise the effects is:
For the headaches and muscle cramps; use some paracetamol, 2tablets every six hours for one or two days would really help;
For the fatigue and tiredness, find a sugary food, glucose drink or carbohydrate rich diet like rice that can supply sugar and quick energy;
For the thirst and dehydration: Drink lots of water and fruit juice. That supplies you enough fluids to deal with the dehydration. Soda water is also okay. But stay away from caffeine or coffee drinks- there is no compelling proof that it helps with a hangover. It’s a myth.
NEVER drink more alcohol. There is NO proof that this “cures” hangover. It’s a very unfortunate myth. Professional medical position is that drinking more alcohol suspends hangover symptoms leading to alcoholism and the beginning of having a terrible alcohol addiction problem.
NEVER take aspirin, ibuprofen, piroxicam, or any medication called a “non steroidal anti inflammatory drug” after a hangover. The reason is because these medications can lead to stomach irritation, bleeding from the stomach, liver damage and vomiting of blood. Pls be careful.
NEVER take a steambath, hot shower bath or go for a sauna. Professional medical opinion is that a combination of hot temperature with alcohol in your system can cause your heart to have an abnormal electrical activity which can lead to sudden death. Please beware. And be wise.
Again, just as a reminder: When you have a hangover from heavy drinking the night before, Drinking as a “cure” is a risky habit, and you may simply be delaying the appearance of symptoms until the alcohol wears off again. Then you have to drink more to cure the next hangover.
So what’s the best way forward for a hangover?The BEST option is NOT to drink alcohol at all.
But that’s not realistic advice because:
1. Human beings will always drink alcohol
2. There are scientific claims that moderate non-excessive alcohol drinking may be good for the heart.
So maybe the better advice is:
Drink moderately and sensibly.
That means know you’re limits and don’t push it. Deliberately pushing your limits all the time carries the risk of hangovers, alcohol addiction, obesity, weight gain, liver problems, kidney problems and death.
Which people tend Older people.
Hangovers are commoner as people grow older. Women. Alcohol hits women harder than men.
If a man and woman drinks same alcohol amount, more will be absorbed into a woman’s system than the man.
Cigarette smoking: Smoking also worsens hangovers.
Anyway, thanks for reading. I hope you learnt a few things from this thread about Alcohol, Hangovers and What you can do about it. Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment and ask questions.
Have a nice festive season.
Happy Boxing Day!
