Hangovers are never good whenever they occur, but, apart from the obvious overindulgence in alcoholic beverages,what is happening in your body and what is the real cause of your nausea and headache?
You may be interested to know that there are several different types of hangover and therefore there is no one size fits all cure.
Recent research suggests that as individuals a massive 254 hours are taken off work each year as a result of hangovers which leads to a massive loss in productivity. There’s only one way to not get a hangover and that’s to not drink at all, but as the party season is upon us, that is easier said than done.
The usual good advice of eating before you go out and drinking plenty of water applies, but it won’t stop the hangover itself, although it may ease the symptoms.
The worst hangover symptoms are nausea and vomiting. Alcohol is essentially a toxin and can cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach, which is why some will experience indigestion. It slows down how your digestion, meaning food and fluids sit in the stomach for longer. Combine this with increased acid production and you will feel sick.Ginger is good for inhibiting the receptors that trigger nausea.
Alcohol can also have the effect of being a diuretic, which means you will lose more fluids than you absorb, so resulting in dehydration. Try to drink water as often as possible, which will allow your liver more time to process the alcohol.
Headaches are another common symptom, it can be irritating and disruptive. Alcohol dilates blood vessels in the brain, and if you combine this with dehydration, the result is a thumping head. Pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be helpful, but can also irritate the stomach lining.
A hot bath can help relax your muscles, natural and fruity snacks which contain fructose will also help the rehydration process. Greasy food is good before you got out, and not the next day. The oil puts a film over your stomach and helps slow down the absorption of alcohol.
Best advice is to drink in moderation,but whatever you do enjoy the festive season and don’t let the festive spirit spoil it for you.
