How To Deal With A Hangover

If you drink too much alcohol, there is a price to pay; alcohol comes back with a vengeance. Getting a hangover is your body’s way of attempting to deal with excess toxin intake.

Hangover manifests itself in the form a headache, nausea, tiredness, and dehydration. When you have a hangover, you have a hard time concentrating, are sensitive to light, and are cranky. You also promise yourself never to taste alcohol again, but soon after the hangover is over, you break the promise. Ethanol is a toxic chemical that works in your body as a diuretic. Basically, it makes you pee more, thus making you dehydrated.

There are various hangover treatments. Do you know them? 

 Take Medications 

The symptoms of a hangover can be managed with medications. Hangover pills are all over the market though most of them have not been scientifically proven to be effective. Therefore, ensure that you stick to medications are proven and tested. Painkillers provide relief from headaches.

Antacids are helpful if you have an upset stomach while multivitamins replenish key vitamins.

Painkillers that contain acetaminophen—such as Tylenol—must be taken with care due to the fact that they can be harsh on your liver, which is weak already due to alcohol consumption.  Asprin-based painkillers can irritate the stomach, so use them moderately. The same goes with those that contain ibuprofen.

 Eat

Most people think that a greasy breakfast and carb-overload are the keys to hangover relief. The main idea here should be restoring the lost nutrients.

Broth soup is a good source of nutrients such as sodium, and it is easy for your stomach to handle. Another good option you is bland foods such as crackers or toast, especially if you have an upset stomach. It can also help to increase your blood sugar.

When dehydrated, you lose potassium. Therefore, take potassium-rich foods such as bananas, leafy greens, and potatoes.

Avoid such foods as bacon because they can further upset your stomach. Stick to eggs because they are full of protein.

 Take Plenty of Water 

Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration. You need to replace the lost water, so take it in plenty. Continue to drink water even after the hangover. 

You should also consider juices with high fructose because your alcohol- consumption lowers your blood sugar level.

 Prevention 

•  You can avoid a hangover by controlling your alcohol intake.Once you feel tipsy, stop there.
•  Food helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol into the body. This, means you should have some food before you take the booze. Drinking on an empty stomach increases the risk of getting a hangover.
•  When drinking alcohol, increase your water intake to keep the body hydrated. Avoid dark-colored drinks because they contain congeners, chemicals that irritate blood vessels and brain tissues. Carbonated drinks also speed up the absorption of alcohol into the body.
•  A pint of water before sleeping will work miracles. Keep a glass beside your bed in case you wake up in the middle of the night.
•  To keep your hangover to a minimum, stop drinking well before nightfall. Your body takes an hour to process each unit of alcohol. Stopping the drink before the night ends can start the process before you go to bed.
•  The best way to prevent a hangover is to avoid alcohol.