What can really help in this condition, and what will only harm and worsen the general condition of our body. How is a hangover treated?
There are as many hangover myths as there are alcoholic beverages. The list of hangover cures is endless, from pasta at night to swallowing pills. So let's look at what can really help in this condition, and what will only harm and worsen the general condition of our body.
Myth: You shouldn't pay attention to a hangover
FACT: A hangover is a reaction of the body when poisoned with an excessive amount of alcohol. Heavy drinks destroy the nervous system. Alcohol affects brain chemicals, which causes headaches, dizziness and nausea, and this is what makes you run to the kitchen for a sip of water so often (since excessive alcohol consumption causes dehydration). In the morning after a stormy evening, you can wake up with a severe headache, fatigue, dry mouth, nausea and abdominal discomfort, and as a result, the immune system is significantly weakened.
Myth: The hangover is the same for both men and women
FACT: With the same drinks, women get drunk much faster than men. There is an explanation for this. Men have a higher percentage of fluid in the body, which helps to thin the alcohol consumed. Therefore, when a woman and a man drink the same amount of alcohol, a lot more alcohol gets into the blood in women than in men.
Myth: Only after an incredible amount of alcohol does a hangover come.
FACT: Of course, drinking too much alcohol is more likely to lead to a hangover. But depending on your constitution and a couple of small glasses of alcohol, you may end up with a headache and other hangover symptoms. Drinking water or other soft drinks between each glass of beer or stronger drink can help you stay hydrated and dilute your intake of alcohol (thereby reducing absorption).
Myth: Wine doesn't have a hangover
FACT: Red wine contains tannin, a compound known to be the main cause of headaches in some people. Malt drinks like whiskey can also cause severe hangovers. If you want to feel good in the morning, the best choices are beer and light liqueurs.
Myth: Diet shakes are the best choice
FACT: Diet shakes can help control your calorie intake, but you can't avoid a hangover. Research has shown that consuming fruits, fruit juices, and other sugar-containing liquids increases hangover rates.
Myth: beer first, then something stronger
FACT: It's all about the amount of alcohol, not the sequence of drinks. The way you consume drinks can affect the amount you consume. If you first drank a cocktail, and then decided to drink one beer for the rest of the evening, then you are reducing alcohol consumption. But if you alternate beer with vodka, then strong intoxication will come much faster than you think. Of course, too much liquor will also aggravate the general condition, even if the evening started with a beer.
Myth: pasta before bed.
FACT: This is wrong for two reasons. First, eating before bed (after drinking) won't help. Food must enter the stomach before the Happy Moment of alcohol entering. Secondly, while food slows down the absorption of alcohol, fat is absorbed very well. So eat your steak or pizza before the First Sip of your martini and you might not have a hangover. The only advice is to drink water before bed to reduce the degree of dehydration.
Myth: pain pills before bed
FACT: Over-the-counter pills start to work as efficiently as possible after four hours, so the pill will wear off by morning. Therefore, it is better to take pills in the morning, as soon as you wake up. Do not take acetaminophen (paracetamol) after an alcoholic night out. Alcohol interferes with the liver's absorption of acetaminophen and can even lead to inflammation or destruction of the liver.
Myth: Alcohol promotes good sleep
FACT: Alcohol interferes with sleep. While a small glass of alcohol at bedtime will help you fall asleep faster, a large amount of alcohol before bed can be very disruptive to sleep. You will not be able to get enough sleep during REM sleep and you will most likely wake up quickly. If you drink too much, the hangover can occur in the last stage of sleep and, accordingly, may prevent you from falling asleep again.
Myth: An alcoholic cocktail in the morning is the best hangover cure
FACT: A lot of alcohol in the morning will not get you out of your hangover, it will only worsen your condition. If you drink a cocktail at breakfast, then after a while an unpleasant state will come. But if you can not do without an invigorating cocktail in the morning, then perhaps it is worth talking about it with your doctor (since these are clear signs of the initial stage of alcoholism).
Myth: coffee in the morning
FACT: Coffee makes you more dehydrated, so your hangover will only get worse. After a night of drinking, it is best to avoid caffeine. Instead, drink water or energy drinks to reduce dehydration and replenish electrolyte deficiencies. This is especially important if, in addition to an unpleasant condition, nausea and vomiting are observed.
Myth: Herbal medicines
FACT: UK scientists have reviewed all available research on hangover medications such as artichoke and yeast extracts. Scientists have concluded that these drugs are not an effective hangover treatment. Another group of British scientists received an extract from the prickly pear, which helps to reduce the nausea and dry mouth that can accompany a hangover. But at the same time, this extract is powerless against headaches. The only proven remedy is time.
THIS IS NOT A MYTH: alcohol poisons the body
FACT: Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention. If you notice that someone is constantly vomiting or even losing consciousness, then you need to see a doctor. Failure to do so may result in shock or (as a result of vomiting) severe dehydration.
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