Do you also have a heavy head in the morning? Let's talk about this hangover!

When you have a little party with your friends the night before and drink a little too much alcohol, you feel a strange upset the next morning. Your head is heavy, your body is weak, you feel like you want to throw up... That's what we call a hangover. Many people have experienced this. So today, let's talk about what exactly a hangover is, why it happens, and what you can do to get rid of it.

What is a hangover? Simply put...

A hangover is an unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling in your body and mind the next morning as a result of drinking too much alcohol the night before. Think of it like a little war going on inside your body.

How common is a hangover?

In fact, hangovers are very common among heavy drinkers. One study found that about 75% of people who drank too much the night before experienced hangover symptoms the next day. However, the same researchers say that between 25% and 30% of people who drink alcohol are hangover-resistant, meaning they don't get them easily. So, it doesn't affect everyone the same way.

What are the symptoms of a hangover?

If you have a hangover, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Emotional distress: You may feel sad, anxious, or just plain angry.
• Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Dizziness and spinning sensation (Vertigo): You may feel as if things around you are spinning, even if you are not falling.
• Extreme fatigue and lethargy: Feeling so tired that you can't do anything.
• Headache, red eyes, sensitivity to light and sound: With a severe headache, the eyes become red, and you can't stand even the slightest light or sound.
• Increased blood pressure: Your blood pressure may be higher than normal.
• Heart palpitations: The heart rate increases.
• Muscle pain and weakness: Muscles ache, limbs feel numb.
• Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain: Feeling like your stomach is turning over, feeling like you're about to vomit, and having a stomach ache.
• Excessive sweating (Diaphoresis): Just sweating.
• Excessive thirst (Polydipsia): No matter how much water you drink, it still feels like it's not enough.
• Essential tremor: It may feel like your hands are shaking.

In addition, when you have a hangover, you may have difficulty remembering things, concentrating, and maintaining balance. In general, the severity of your symptoms depends on how much alcohol you drank and how long you drank it. However, your health and other factors also affect this. Some people can get a hangover after just one drink. Others may not experience any symptoms, no matter how much they drink.

Why do we get hangovers? What are the causes?

The main cause is alcohol, but it's not that simple. Drinking alcohol affects your body in a number of ways:

Direct effects of alcohol

• Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that you need to urinate more often, so a lot of fluid is lost from your body. (You can lose about a liter of urine within a few hours after having four drinks.) Alcohol also reduces the release of a hormone called vasopressin, which controls the fluid balance in your body. This dehydration is what causes thirst, fatigue, and headaches.
• Electrolyte imbalances: Your body needs chemicals called electrolytes to function properly. When you urinate frequently, your electrolytes become unbalanced.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Alcohol can damage the lining of your stomach and intestines. It also slows down the rate at which food is digested and increases the amount of fat in the secretions of your liver, stomach, and pancreas. All of this can cause stomach upset and nausea.
• Inflammation: Alcohol increases inflammation throughout your body, which is a common cause of the discomfort you feel during a hangover.
• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia): This is commonly seen in people with alcohol use disorder. They may drink heavily for several days without eating or drinking. When your body processes alcohol, it produces lactic acid. This lactic acid causes low blood sugar, which can cause fatigue, sweating, hunger, and shakiness.
• Disruption of sleep and other processes: Although alcohol is a sleep-inducing substance, hangover symptoms often disrupt sleep. As your blood alcohol level drops, you may experience insomnia, which can make you feel tired. Alcohol also interferes with your body's ability to regulate temperature and produce hormones.

Effects of alcohol withdrawal

A hangover is a mild form of alcohol withdrawal. Both have similar effects and symptoms. When you drink alcohol, you feel relaxed, calm, and happy. Your nervous system adjusts to these effects. But when the effects of alcohol wear off, your nervous system has to readjust. Then, you may feel more restless, anxious, and irritable than before you drank alcohol.

Effects of alcohol metabolites

When your body metabolizes alcohol, it produces a byproduct called acetaldehyde. This substance can cause a rapid heartbeat, sweating, and nausea. Most people's bodies break down this acetaldehyde before it causes any problems. However, it can also cause inflammation in the organs and cause uncomfortable symptoms.

If you have alcohol intolerance, your body may not be able to process acetaldehyde as quickly as it should, which can make you feel very drunk even after drinking a small amount of alcohol.

Other non-alcoholic causes

• Congeners: These are the compounds that give alcohol its taste, smell, and appearance. Researchers believe that these contribute to the intoxication caused by alcohol and the severity of a hangover.
• Other drug use: Other drugs, such as cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine, can also cause intoxication. Using these with alcohol can make a hangover worse.
• Personal differences: Researchers have found that people who are constantly anxious, angry, defensive, or feel guilty about drinking are more likely to get a hangover. If someone in your family has an alcohol use disorder, or if you are at high risk for developing one, you may also be more likely to get a hangover.

How much alcohol does it take to get a hangover?

Generally, if you drink more than one drink per hour, you can get a hangover. It takes your body about an hour to metabolize one drink. Here are some examples:

• A can of regular or light beer (12 ounces, 5% alcohol).
• Malt liqueur or craft beer (8-9 ounces, 7% alcohol).
• A glass of wine (5 ounces, 12% alcohol).
• A shot of liqueur (1.5 ounces, 40% alcohol).

So, when you look at these amounts, you might think, "Oh, I drank a little," but that "little" can be harsh on the body.

How do you know for sure if you have a hangover?

Most of the time, people with a hangover can identify it themselves based on their alcohol consumption and symptoms. If you feel sick after drinking alcohol, you probably have a hangover. This doesn't require any major tests.

What is the best "medicine" for a hangover?

You've probably heard of all sorts of "medicines" and "treatments" that claim to cure a hangover. However, many of them have no scientific basis, and some can even be dangerous. For example, "hair of the dog" will not help a hangover. Drinking more alcohol will only increase the toxicity of the alcohol already in your body.

Here are some simple things you can do at home:

• Eat foods that are light, with complex carbohydrates: things like bread and crackers. These will increase your low blood sugar levels and reduce nausea.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Drink water, electrolyte beverages (such as Gatorade®, Pedialyte®), broth, and other non-alcoholic beverages. This can help reduce dehydration. The best measure is to drink fluids until your urine is clear.
• Sleep well: Sleep is essential to relieve fatigue.
• Take antacids: These can help if you have an upset stomach or feel like you have gastritis.
• Try aspirin or other NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): These are great for muscle pain. However, use them with caution, as they can also upset your digestive system. Never take acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) with alcohol - it can be toxic to your liver.
• Be patient: Hangover symptoms usually subside within 8 to 24 hours. Your body needs time to eliminate the toxic effects of alcohol, rehydrate, heal tissues, and return to normal function.

Are there ways to get rid of a hangover quickly?

Even though someone may say that drinking a cup of coffee or taking a shower will make you feel better, there's really no way to speed up your recovery. Your brain and body need time to heal, and there are no shortcuts.

How to prevent a hangover (or reduce its severity)

If you want to enjoy some alcohol but can't stand the pain of a hangover, try these things:

• Drink less: The less you drink, the less likely you are to experience symptoms. Drink less than you would otherwise get drunk. Even if you do get drunk, drinking less can reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.
• Drink carbonated drinks sparingly: If you drink carbonated drinks that contain alcohol, like champagne, drink them sparingly. The carbon dioxide bubbles can increase the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream and interfere with the absorption of oxygen.
• Choose wisely: Choose drinks that are low in congeners. Light-colored drinks like vodka, gin, light beer, and white wine generally cause fewer hangover symptoms. Darker drinks like bourbon, scotch, tequila, brandy, dark beer, and red wine can make symptoms worse.
• Drink water: Alternate drinking a glass of water with an alcoholic beverage. Water helps prevent dehydration.
• Eat: Food slows down the absorption of alcohol. It's best to eat before drinking. A heavy meal can help reduce the effects of alcohol on your body. Adding something like non-diet cola, ginger ale, or fruit juice to your drink can also help slow down absorption.
• Control your intake: Limit yourself to one drink per hour. That's the normal amount your body can process. This will help prevent your blood alcohol level from rising to the point where you become intoxicated.

How long does a hangover last?

Typically, symptoms are at their worst when your blood alcohol level drops to zero. Symptoms can last for about a day, sometimes longer.

Can a hangover be dangerous?

Yes, of course. A hangover is more than just an unpleasant symptom. When you have a hangover, you can't think clearly. Alcohol impairs your concentration, decision-making, and muscle coordination. You may be tempted to do risky things that you wouldn't normally do. For example, driving while hungover is very dangerous and can be fatal . It can also lead to accidents at work.

Remember: Thinking that "it's okay to drink a little less and have a slight hangover in the morning, but you can still drive" is a big mistake! Your reaction time may be significantly reduced.

When should I see a doctor?

A hangover usually goes away on its own without you doing anything. As your body adjusts to the alcohol-free state, you will start to feel better.

However, if you have symptoms of an alcohol use disorder, talk to a doctor. He or she can tell you about treatment options. Watch for symptoms like these:

• Frequent episodes of excessive alcohol consumption.
• Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• If hangovers and alcohol consumption are affecting your quality of life, relationships, and work.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you are worried about hangover symptoms, ask your doctor about the following:

• Do I have risk factors for alcohol use disorder?
• Do I have an alcohol intolerance or an alcohol allergy?
• What can I do to prevent or reduce hangover symptoms?
• How much alcohol can I safely drink?

When do you need emergency treatment for a hangover?

If you are with someone who has been drinking alcohol, and they show any of these symptoms, call 1990 immediately or take them to the nearest hospital :

• Breathing is slow (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular (more than 10 seconds between breaths).
• Hypothermia.
• Confusion, loss of consciousness.
• Loss of consciousness or difficulty maintaining consciousness.
• Seizures.
• Severe vomiting.
• Pale or bluish skin (check gums and lips in people with dark skin).

Finally, a few things to remember

A hangover is a very unpleasant experience. However, the symptoms usually go away within a day or two. If you've had too much alcohol and are feeling unwell, there are some things you can do at home. Drink plenty of water, eat some carbohydrate-rich foods, and get enough sleep. There is no quick fix for a hangover. You need to give your body time to get rid of the alcohol and recover.

However, if you are constantly drinking too much alcohol and experiencing hangover symptoms that are interfering with your life, you should definitely see a doctor for advice. While alcohol is okay to drink in moderation, it can be a lifelong problem if you can't control it.

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