Do we really know what a hangover is?

Did you go to a party, get together with friends, and drink a little too much? So, it goes without saying that you wake up the next morning feeling a bit groggy? A pounding headache, a feeling of nausea, a dry mouth and throat, and a feeling of lethargy all over your body... When all of this comes together, you can't get through the day. We all call this a 'hangover'. So why does this really happen? Is there no way to get rid of it quickly? Let's talk about this today.

Why do we really get this 'hangover'?

The main culprit for a 'hangover' is alcohol. When we drink alcohol, we experience this unpleasant experience because of several processes that occur inside our bodies. Surprisingly, although this is a very common thing, there has not been much research on this. However, based on the facts that have been discovered so far, several reasons can be identified.

To make it simple, I will explain these reasons in a table like this.

How long can a hangover last?

You may want to get over this feeling as soon as possible, but the truth is that it can't be done that quickly. The symptoms of a hangover start a few hours after you stop drinking. The symptoms are most severe when your blood alcohol level drops back to zero. This usually lasts about 24 hours, but sometimes longer.

What are the best remedies for a hangover?

The only real cure for a hangover is time. That means patience. However, there are a few simple remedies that can help you get through the day a little easier.

Okay, so now let's see what can be done to reduce the problem .

Drink plenty of water.

A glass of water is probably the easiest cure for a hangover. As we mentioned earlier, alcohol causes water retention in the body. So start drinking water as soon as you wake up. But don't drink a lot at once, drink it little by little. Otherwise, it can be even more difficult for your stomach. It's also good to drink water, coconut water, or a sports drink with electrolytes.

Eat light, carbohydrate-rich meals.

This will help restore blood sugar levels that have dropped due to alcohol. Eat something light on the stomach like bread, toast, crackers, rice, and bananas. Stay away from oily and heavy foods. Eating fruits like watermelon and strawberries also add water to the body.

Give your body a break.

Your body needs a lot of rest at this time. The body has to:

• Remove toxins produced during the breakdown of alcohol.
• Recover lost water.
• Heal the damage caused to the stomach.
• Restore the immune system and brain function.

So, get as much rest as possible. It would be great if you could get some sleep.

Be very careful when using painkillers.

It's normal to feel like taking a painkiller if your head hurts like it's going to explode. But you have to be very careful with this.

• You can use a pain reliever like Ibuprofen or Naproxen (NSAIDs - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) . But don't take more than the recommended dose. Even that can be harmful to the stomach.
• Do not use painkillers containing acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol) for any reason. Taking these with alcohol can cause serious liver damage. Keep this in mind.

The myth that "drinking will make you sober"

This is called "hair of the dog." It means drinking a little more the morning after a hangover. This only temporarily suppresses the symptoms. What it really does is delay the body's recovery time and push the body back into the same destructive cycle. This is a very wrong and unhealthy habit.

How to prevent a hangover?

Prevention is always better than cure. So try these things to avoid a hangover.

• Limit your alcohol consumption: Know your limits.
• Don't drink on an empty stomach: Eat a good meal before drinking alcohol. This will slow down the rate at which the alcohol is absorbed into the body.
• Drink water: After drinking a glass of alcohol, drink a glass of water. This will prevent dehydration and also help control overeating.
• Control your pace: Drink slowly, about one drink per hour.
• Avoid dark liquors: The congeners we talked about earlier are found in things like brandy, whiskey, and red wine. Instead, opt for something like vodka, gin, white wine, or light beer.