Consumption of alcoholic drink has become a trend in today's life structure. Though we all are aware of the fact that alcohol is not good for health and it increases the symptoms of any disease we are suffering from. A regular and excessive consumption of alcohol leads to a number of health complications. When we consume alcohol in excess amount we experience various symptoms of hangover when we get up in the morning.
What is a Hangover?
Alcohol is a toxic substance. When you ingest toxins, your body is going to feel the aftereffects. A hangover is an umbrella term that describes what's happening to your body as it recovers from the poison you ingested the night before. Symptoms often include fatigue, headaches and dehydration.
What causes Hangover?
If you want to have a good night out and not have a hangover in the morning, it is important to understand the causes of the hangover. There are three major causes of a hangover: dehydration, vitamin deficiency, and a buildup of toxins in the body.
The first cause, dehydration, is most immediate. Alcoholic drinks, like caffeinated drinks, dehydrate you, so you need to drink something else as well.
The second cause, vitamin deficiency, accompanies dehydration. If you drink a lot, you will also urinate a lot. However, this comes not from having too many fluids in the body but an imbalance in body chemicals caused by alcohol. As a result, you are draining your body of liquid and vitamins without replacing them.
The third cause, toxins in the body, results from the breakdown of alcohol by your liver. After your body absorbs the alcohol into the blood (making you drunk), your liver filters the alcohol out (making you not drunk). The byproduct of this chemical reaction, though, is an enzyme that is mildly toxic. It takes time for your body to breakdown and get rid of this toxin, so it will take time for you to recover.
How do I avoid it?
Just keep these simple things in mind while you go boozing the next time:
- Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Eat a good snack or dinner before you start drinking. Eating a substantial meal before drinking alcohol can help minimize the amount of alcohol you absorb. Eating little and often while drinking alcohol has the same effect.
- Start the evening by drinking a non-alcoholic drink.
- Don't mix your drinks. Multiple types of alcohol increase the chances of getting a hangover.
- Avoid salty or sugary foods since they will further dehydrate you.
- Light drinks like white wine, vodka and gin put less stress on the liver than beer, red wine, and sugary beverages.
- Take a break before you guzzle the next peg. Consume less than one drink per hour. Your liver breaks down alcohol at the rate of one beer per hour, so spreading out your drinking over many hours will give your body a chance to keep up with you.
- Avoid cheap drinks, especially cheap whiskeys.
- Double fist throughout the night: One glass of water for every alcoholic drink.
- Eating protein and carb-rich foods before going to bed will help flush out the liver (try a chicken sandwich or peanut butter on toast).
- Avoid salty and fat-rich foods (like that late-night burger) because it will put stress on your digestive track.
- Our body, in order to function properly, also needs oxygen. That is why we choose places outdoors and at least places with good ventilation. If you are starting to not feel well, it's better to go outside to get some fresh air.
- You lose vitamin B and C when you drink alcohol, so try to eat foods like bananas, whole grains, oranges or even take a multi-vitamin.
- Take one 400mg Vitamin B6 at the beginning, middle and end of the party.
- The stress of the body in the effort to remove toxins is so great that beyond good food our body also needs a good rest.
- A good shower, although it does not treat the symptoms of the hangover, helps in revitalizing your body. Try to use lukewarm or even cool water and not hot. Do not attempt to take a shower if you have not stood well in your feet or if you are still feeling dizzy.
- Before going to bed drink a glass of water and take some Vitamin B complex. Do not take any headache medicines like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Aspirin as they can seriously damage your liver. Also, avoid drinking coffee as coffee can help dehydration.
Parties are supposed to be fun. Making poor choices and throwing up is not fun, so always drink in moderation. Please avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. It's better to enjoy the party and get a cab home. Try kicking the hangover before the hangover kicks you next time your celebrating. It will make the memories better!
