Hangover Prevention and Hangover Tips

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Drinking can be great fun- until you end up with a pounding headache, a spinning room and the dash to the toilet.  These are the classic symptoms of alcohol over-indulgence. In short, you have pushed the limit and when this happens you are going to need some hangover cures as well as some hangover prevention tips for next time!

What is it about the way alcohol works in the body that sends us over the edge? Alcohol is quickly absorbed through the mouth, stomach and intestines, making its effects almost instant. Once in the bloodstream it acts as a depressant toxin and irritant. Depressed brain function means relaxation and less inhibitions and at higher doses loss of coordination, slurring of speech, memory lapses and even blackouts. The next morning is when the hangover arrives.

A hangover can seriously put you out of action for a couple of days and even ruin a holiday, but the other dangers of drinking are far more serious. Car accidents, gout, arthritis, osteoporosis, liver damage and weight gain are just some of the consequences of the so-called good life. The trick is, if you are going to drink, do so sensibly, moderately and for good reason. Using alcohol as a social lubricant or for relaxation is one thing, but drinking just to get drunk and binging in the process is nothing less than abusive. Outlines here are some hangover prevention tips and hangover cures.

What causes a Hangover?

Dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, and causes dehydration in large amounts, which in turn causes symptoms like headache, fatigue and listlessness.

Hypoglycaemia. Alcohol directly lowers blood sugar, which explains why we often get really hungry after drinking. Low blood sugar also makes us feel tired, irritable and shaky.

Irritated mucosal lining. Alcohol irritates the lining of our digestive system, leading to the nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea that sometimes appear the morning after.

Nutrient depletion. There is a pronounced loss of B complex vitamins (especially thiamine and vitamin B6), vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, with heavy drinking, which also contribute to hangover symptoms.

A sluggish liver. Alcohol is metabolised in the liver. Drink too much and the liver simply cannot cope, contributing to that overall queasy feeling.

Congeners. Congeners are natural by-products of alcohol fermentation. The higher the congener content, the greater the hangover. Gin and vodka have the fewest congeners, while bourbon and red wine claim the most.

 

Acetaldehyde poisoning. Once inside the body, ethanol (a component of alcohol) is converted into acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid. Some people lack the ability to effectively convert acetaldehyde, which is thought to be a major contributing factor to hangovers. So, in short, some people are just more prone to them than others.

In order to stay in top shape and avoid hangovers and other consequences, certain measures can be taken before, during and after a drinking spree. Lets have a look at some precautions, potions, antidotes and antics commonly used to curb the consequences of a big night out.

 

On the big night: Hangover Prevention

· Prepare yourself beforehand by eating a balanced meal. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach and eating a big meal will protect your stomach and also prevent the alcohol being absorbed too fast.

· Hydrate yourself adequately before, during and after drinking. As a general rule, drink 1 glass of water for every alcoholic drink. Try alternating alcoholic drinks with water or non-fizzy cold drinks at the bar or club. Avoid fizzy drinks, as they tend to increase the amount of alcohol getting into the bloodstream

· Try mixers with water, soda water or fruit juice instead of straight-up shots, as they take longer to drink and keep you well hydrated.

· Drink in moderation, that means no more than 2 units of alcohol per day for women and no more than 3 for men (1 unit is equivalent to 340ml beer, 43ml spirits or 140ml wine). If you are going to drink more, pace yourself, sip slowly and know your limits.

· Don’t mix your drinks. Its better to stick to one type of alcoholic drink for the night.

· Favour white wine and white spirits, like vodka over red wine and darker spirits. Substances called congeners found in red wine and coloured spirits may magnify hangover effects, and irritate the stomach lining if consumed in excess.

· Avoid fatty snacks like chips and peanuts at bars as these place extra stress on your liver.

· Do not drink if you have been taking anti-biotic, anti-anxiety, barbiturate and sedative medications or if you have been using recreational drugs.

· Don’t ever drive drunk. Rather leave your keys with a sober friend or catch a taxi home.

Before Bed : Hangover Prevention

OK, so you’d forgotten the pre-mentioned tips and have arrived home somewhat inebriated and sick. Try the following before bed to help make the next morning a little more bearable:

· Drink 2-3 glasses of water before retiring.

· Take some vitamin C (at least 1000mg) and a B-complex, as these are most depleted by alcohol

· Eat a banana to replace lost potassium

· If you have been running to the toilet, take an oral rehydration solution to help replace lost fluid and electrolytes.

· Don’t ever take Tylenol or ibuprofen while drinking or before passing out as these drug are metabolised in the liver (along with alcohol), and can place extra stress on the already stressed organ. Also, never take aspirin with alcohol, as it can damage the stomach lining and even cause bleeding.

 

The morning after: Hangover Cures

If you have woken up feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus, you probably have a hangover. Here are some solutions to help ease the pain:

· A hearty breakfast of eggs, toast and tomato juice is a great hangover cure. Eggs are rich in cysteine, which helps the liver metabolise alcohol while tomato juice contains many of the minerals and vitamins that alcohol depletes.  Bland complex carbohydrates, like toast, brown rice or crackers are easy on the stomach and help raise blood glucose levels.

· Make sure you get enough vitamin C (from citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries and green vegetables) and B vitamins (from beans, wholegrains and fish) during the day or take supplements.

· A drink made from carrot, beet, celery and parsley juice contains many of the nutrients needed to get rid of toxins

· Get plenty of fresh air

· Take a sauna or steam bath or do some vigorous exercise to help induce sweating. This helps eliminate toxins from the body.

 

Herbal helpers: Hangover Cures

Many herbal remedies can be used to control symptoms or support the body’s detoxification processes. Some of the more popular ones include:

· Ginger tea, which can be used to reduce nausea

· Yarrow, elder flowers and peppermint root teas, which help initiate sweating

 

· The herb Milk Thistle, which helps the liver to detoxify alcohol. Milk Thistle can be taken as a liver tonic throughout the holiday season to help the liver cope with excess intakes of both food and alcohol.

· Nux vomica, a popular homeopathic remedy for alcohol over-indulgence. Take a 30CH dose before drinking. After a binge take another dose and continue throughout the day until symptoms subside.

 

Author: Ashleigh Caradas

A copy of this article also appeared in Business Day Health news

 

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