Ways to cope with a hangover

Celebrations are always on for some of us especially during the holiday season. During these seasons, there are always increased invitations to drink. If consumed in moderation, alcohol could be a fun part of adulthood. However, when taken in excess, a hangover is always sure to follow. You could end up with a headache that can last hours. Sometimes, it could be accompanied by fatigue, a fuzzy tongue, and an upset stomach. Abstaining from alcohol is the most sure way to prevent a hangover. However, there are those times when you just cannot resist. I would like to share some all-natural ways that can help ease your post-party suffering.

What causes a hangover?

The obvious answer might seem to be alcohol, but the science behind hangovers is more complicated than that.

Yes, alcohol is the major cause of a hangover, however, it is not the only one that triggers those unpleasant symptoms you experience after drinking a little too much. There are two other components of alcoholic beverages which contribute to the pain and suffering.

Congeners

These are compounds produced during the fermentation process. All alcoholic beverages are fermented, turning the grains or ‘fruits’ into spirits. During fermentation, congeners are created naturally, giving the alcoholic beverages their unique flavour and aroma.

Some darker spirits such as bourbon produce high levels of congeners during fermentation. Drinking too much of these thirst quenchers can make one experience a hangover to end all hangovers.

Sulfites

These are other culprits that contribute to hangovers. Sulfites are a type of preservatives added to wine to extend its shelf life. Some beers may contain sulfites too.

Some people are sensitive to sulfites. If they consume too many sulfite, they may experience a raging headache. If you pair an ingredient prone to causing headaches with any alcoholic beverage, then you have laid the foundation for a horrific hangover.

Why it is called a hangover?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary originally describes a hangover as something or someone that “survived or remained”. Later, the word was co-opted to describe the effects of taking too much alcohol.

A few years back, there was a false claim circulating online that said the word hangover was coined from an old practice among British sailors during the reign of Queen Victoria of sleeping on a rope. It would supposedly prevent drunken sailors from falling overboard. While this explanation might be interesting, it is not accurate.

Symptoms of a hangover

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Excessive thirst
• Anxiety
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle aches
• Irritability
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vertigo

Causes of hangover symptoms

Sulfites and congeners, combined with alcohol trigger reactions throughout the body which then produce all the unpleasant symptoms linked to a hangover.

• Disrupted sleep could also contribute to the ongoing fatigue you get with a hangover. Liquor can make you fall asleep faster, but one may struggle to get a full, restful night’s sleep.
  For instance, it isn’t uncommon to wake up just a few hours after dozing off, only to be unable to get back to sleep.
• Gastrointestinal irritation happens when alcohol hits the lining of the stomach. Drinking too much alcohol can cause your stomach to go into an overdrive, releasing acid. Nausea and stomach upset often follow.
• Mild dehydration could cause excessive fatigue, thirst, and headaches during a hangover. Alcohol often suppresses the release of vasopressin, a hormone that alerts your kidneys to retain a healthy amount of fluid. When vasopressin isn’t released, one urinates more, which makes them dehydrated.

How much alcohol can one drink before getting a hangover?

According to the Cleveland clinic science guys, taking more than one alcoholic drink per hour could lead to a hangover. The body needs about an hour to properly metabolise one drink.

Alcohol tolerance is one of the biggest myths about hangovers. People believe that the more you drink, the longer it takes to get drunk. While some people take longer to get drunk, that could be a huge warning sign that they may have caused damage them to their bodies with repeated alcohol abuse.

Can you prevent a hangover?

The bottom line is that the only way to prevent a hangover is not to drink alcohol. However, if you do drink alcohol, there are things you could do to lessen the negative consequences.

Firstly, avoid drinks that contain a lot of congeners. Alcoholic beverages containing little amounts of congeners include rum, gin, and vodka. On the flip side, you’d like to avoid tequila, whiskey, and cognac, as they have the highest concentrations of congeners.

Staying hydrated is another way to prevent a hangover, and following the one-drink-per-hour rule. Dehydration is one of the major causes of the symptoms of a hangover. If you can alternate the alcoholic beverages with water, you’ll less likely get hit hard with a hangover the next day.

3 Natural Ways to Cope with a Hangover

Apply headache relief roll-on

A pounding headache is the worst part about enduring a hangover. It is quite difficult to be a productive human being when your head hurts. That cannot be good news if the next day is a working day.
Taking some ibuprofen might combat the headache. However, if you are experiencing an upset stomach, it is a bad decision to take ibuprofen since the pills might cause further gastric upset.

Another option to soothe your headache is using a Headache ReLeaf Roll-on. It is an effective, safe treatment for all headache types. Its active ingredients include eucalyptus, wintergreen leaf, coconut, peppermint, menthol, rose, and lavender. You can apply it directly to your forehead, the back of your neck, or temples to get fast relief.

Eat a bland breakfast

Eating foods like eggs, yogurt, and oatmeal yield the best results to suppressing a hangover.

Take a supplement

Some supplement help ease your worst hangover symptoms. For example, borage oil mixed with pear can lower the symptoms of a hangover.
Ginger is a treatment for stomach discomfort when mixed with tangerine extract and brown sugar.
Red ginseng could reduce blood alcohol levels, and hangover severity.
However, consult your primary heath care provider before taking any supplements to make sure they do not interact with your medical conditions or prescription medication.

Lastly, drink responsibly to prevent you from experiencing a hangover.