Hangovers

Most people who drink to the point of intoxication know all about hangovers. Generally, the more and longer you drink, the greater your chances of suffering through a hangover. According to one study, 75 percent of people who drink to the point of intoxication experience a hangover at least some of the time. Typically, a hangover begins within several hours after you stop drinking, as the concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream is falling. Hangover symptoms usually peak about the time your blood alcohol level reaches zero and can continue for up to 24 hours.

With hangover symptoms such as headache fatigue, thirst, nausea and stomach pain, sensitivity to light and sound, alcohol obviously has multiple effects on the body. Since it acts as a diuretic, alcohol promotes urine production and leads to dehydration. It also causes electrolyte imbalances, irritates the stomach and intestines in a variety of ways and lowers blood sugar levels. It dilates blood vessels, which may lead to headaches, and effects several neurotransmitters and hormones implicated in headaches.

Once consumed, alcohol breaks down in the body, and these resulting metabolites also contribute to hangover effects. Besides ethanol — the form of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages — these drinks contain other biologically active compounds that contribute to hangover. They're called congeners. Researchers now believe that beverages containing purer alcohol with fewer congeners, such as gin or vodka, induce fewer hangover effects than those containing a large number of congeners, such as whiskey, brandy or red wine. But purer ethanol will still cause a hangover if you drink too much of it.

What to Do

The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink moderately, or not at all. If you do drink, take B vitamins, particularly B-6 (to help maintain the normal cell metabolism that alcohol disrupts). Eating fatty foods can coat the stomach and slow absorption of alcohol but it does not decrease the total amount of alcohol eventually absorbed. Drink two or three large glasses of water before imbibing. You'll physically fill your stomach and decreases your thirst, so you'll tend to drink fewer alcoholic beverages, and more slowly. Choose beverages with lower alcoholic content and those with fewer congeners, such as vodka or gin. Talk to your doctor if you have repeated bouts of drinking and hangover. You could be suffering from, or be a candidate for, alcoholism. If you're unsure, answer the following four questions. One "yes" suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" means it's highly likely you have a drinking problem.

1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Use Medicine Effectively

Antacids may alleviate nausea and stomach upset. Pain relievers can reduce your headache and muscle aches. But stick with ibuprofen. Aspirin can irritate your already irritated stomach, and the combination of alcohol and acetaminophen can damage the liver.

Self-care Steps for Hangover

• Eat fruit or drink fruit juices.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Eat toast, crackers or other bland foods with complex carbohydrates; they can counter low blood sugar levels and possibly relieve nausea.

• Take B vitamins, particularly B-6.

• Avoid trying to pick yourself up with caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, because caffeine is a diuretic that can enhance your dehydration.

• Avoid the "hair of the dog that bit you" remedy. Don't have another drink. It will only enhance the existing alcohol toxicity and might lead to more drinking.