You cannot heal your hangover, but you can help it
With the holidays approaching, many of us will be celebrating Christmas and New Year’s by getting a little boozy. We’ve experienced a hangover from hell before (at least 75% of the UK population have, according to demographic studies), but this doesn’t stop us from overindulging the next time we pop out for a pint.
Photo by Omar Lopez, https://unsplash.com/photos/vsgdG95Ehyo
Hangover symptoms vary from person to person. Some experience nausea, while others experience vertigo, and many experience increased sensitivity to light and sound. There are numerous ways that our bodies reminds us we should have skipped that final shot of tequila a few hours ago. While doctors and scientists affirm that there is no fool-proof way of healing a hangover, there are various remedies to alleviate our pain and discomfort.
The following advice, backed by medical research, will hopefully help to ease the pain of a hangover:
- Sleep
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Have you ever wondered why being hungover feels as though you’ve just been on 11 hour flight? Alcohol throws the circadian rhythm (biological clock) into chaos by disrupting the flow of hormones that regulate it. Not getting enough sleep will worsen your hangover by exacerbating symptoms like headaches and fatigue. Make sure to hit the sack as soon as possible, once you get home from a night of drinking, providing you are in a safe physical condition.
- Fluids are your friend
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The NHS recommends that you always consume a glass of water before going to bed, after drinking an excessive amount of alcohol. Try to stay away from carbonated beverages (fizzy drinks) such as cola or lemonade as these increase the rate at which your system absorbs alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, the ‘Hair of the Dog’ (consuming more alcohol) hangover cure will leave you worse off by postponing hangover effects and making them more severe.
- If you are suffering, take a pain reliever (except for paracetamol)
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Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will help combat headaches and aching sensations. However, if you are dealing with an upset stomach, NSAIDs may irritate this, so you should take an antacid instead. Do NOT take paracetamol/acetaminophen as it could cause serious harm to the liver.
Want to know why?
Paracetamol is metabolised in the liver into toxic and non-toxic products. NAPQI is a toxic product of paracetamol, but it is detoxified by glutathione conjugations in normal body conditions. Glutathione (GSH) is also important in detoxifying alcohol, so mixing alcohol and paracetamol would lead to a depletion of GSH, meaning higher levels of NAPQI and bad news for the liver.
- Eat food loaded with vitamins and proteins, but ignore hangover recipes
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You can find many crazy recipes which claim to “cure” hangovers, when what your body needs are basic foods rich in protein and vitamins. Ingredients like raw eggs and spices may worsen nausea or vomiting. Nuts, juice, bananas, and toast with honey are highly recommended by GPs for regaining lost vitamins, sugars and salts.
- Drink coffee
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In a study performed by the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia it was found that coffee paired with aspirin is the most effective way to help a hangover. It alleviates headaches and helps people overcome the feeling of grogginess. Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine is harmful, so stick to one or two cups.