How to get rid of a hangover

A hangover (the medical term is veisalgia) is a complex physiological condition caused by alcohol intoxication and the breakdown products of alcohol.

Hangover syndrome

This is a pathological state of health that occurs after a certain time after drinking alcohol. All symptoms are relieved after a few hours or the next day. The severity of a hangover depends on the dose taken, the type of alcoholic beverages, and the characteristics of the body.

Hangover syndrome puts an increased burden on all organs and systems of the body.

Causes of a hangover

Several factors cause a hangover. Here are just a few of them:

• Poisoning. A large amount of alcohol in the blood causes the liver to be unable to process acetaldehyde (an alcohol metabolite);
• Smoking. An organism poisoned by alcohol metabolites receives a double whammy. Substances found in nicotine bind to acetaldehyde;
• Low-quality alcohol – homemade drinks (moonshine, tinctures) and surrogates that contain fusel oils, dyes, and other substances that poison the body;
• Sweet alcohol (tinctures, liqueurs, vermouths, martinis, wines) creates conditions for the formation of toxins in the intestinal microflora and puts an additional burden on the liver.

Hangover symptoms

Poisoning with drinks containing alcohol negatively affects not only the physical condition but also the psychological one.

Physical symptoms:

• stomach ache;
• cold, clammy sweat;
• unbearable thirst;
• a slight rise in temperature;
• dry mouth;
• general weakness;
• high blood pressure;
• rapid pulse;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• tremor of the limbs;
• unbearable headache;
• Pain in the abdomen.

Psychological symptoms:

• memory losses;
• irritability;
• inexplicable fear;
• yearning;
• depression.

Why is a hangover dangerous?

Alcohol is a poison to the body. First, the liver begins to suffer, then the kidneys, the cardiovascular system, and the central nervous system. This can provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases and the formation of prerequisites for the development of new pathologies.

What is the danger:

• dehydration, blood clotting, and thickening of the blood;
• relapses (exacerbations) of chronic diseases of the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys;
• the risk of gastric bleeding, perforation of the ulcer;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, as a result – a decrease in immunity and antioxidant activity of the body;
• disruption of the nervous system;
• the formation of liver failure and disruption of the detox systems.

What not to do with a hangover

A person suffering from a hangover wants to get rid of this condition as soon as possible, trying to alleviate unpleasant symptoms. Means and methods can differ: some can help, others work like a placebo, and some tools can only harm.

How not to treat a hangover:

• Coffee and strong tea. Caffeine and tannins can increase blood pressure – an increase in pressure already accompanies a hangover, and this can provoke a hypertensive crisis;
• Bath and sauna. Contraindicated, as increased sweating can contribute to even greater body dehydration. High temperature and high humidity can aggravate the condition in diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• Alcoholic drinks. The degree of poisoning is aggravated.

Fighting a hangover with home remedies

• A Morning contrast shower stimulates the circulatory system and skin and ensures the rapid removal of toxins through the pores. With caution, this remedy should be used by people with a pathology of the cardiovascular system, for example, arterial hypertension. The difference in water temperature should start from 1-2 degrees, and if you have not practiced a contrast shower before, do not actively use this procedure, especially with a hangover!
• Intensive fluid intake. It is necessary to replenish the water balance at the rate of 35-50 ml per 1 kg of weight, drink plain water, weak tea with lemon or honey, and herbal decoctions (rosehip, yarrow, ginseng) – they restore electrolyte balance and eliminate dehydration;
• Enterosorbents bind alcohol in the digestive tract, do not allow absorption into the circulatory system, reduce the effects of intoxication (nausea, vomiting, headache), and restore liver function. The amount of the drug must be calculated according to the instructions, depending on body weight;
• Sparing diet. It is important not to overload the digestive tract; eating plant-based products or, for example, low-fat broth from chicken, fish, or vegetables is better. Exclude fried, smoked, excessively salty, semi-finished products, and canned food.

Foods to help you get rid of a hangover

• Eggs. Contain the amino acid L-cysteine, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the liver, the breakdown, and neutralization of the acetaldehyde toxin, which accumulates in the body when drinking alcohol;
• Coconut water, bananas. Water loss (dehydration) after drinking can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to headaches, tremors, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle spasms. Coconut water and bananas supply the body with potassium and magnesium and help replenish electrolyte balance;
• Ginger. Effective for nausea, and vomiting, normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Chicken broth. It is well perceived by the body, which is important with hangover syndrome when appetite disappears. Restores vitality, increases efficiency;
• Oatmeal, liquid oatmeal. Envelops the gastric mucosa, blocks the further absorption of alcohol into the blood, adsorbs the decay products of alcohol, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and prevents dehydration;
• Honey is useful for relieving the effects of alcohol intoxication. A few spoons will help remove toxins from the body;
• Watermelon is rich in L-citrulline, a nutrient that can improve blood flow, and the high water content can help reduce rehydration (dehydration).

Drinks that reduce hangovers

• Juice from beets and celery normalizes the liver, improves immunity, and stimulates appetite. People with long-term stomach problems shouldn’t take it;
• water with lemon or homemade lemonade. To prepare the drink, squeeze the juice from 2-3 lemons and dilute it with 300 ml water. Adding sugar to the drink is not a good idea. The main component is citric acid, which activates the Krebs cycle (the main source of energy), cells receive more oxygen, metabolism increases, thirst is quenched, and symptoms of dehydration decrease;
• rosemary tea. Rosmarinic acid has an antioxidant effect;
• cocoa on the water. The drink contains magnesium, supports the cardiovascular system, has an antidepressant effect, improves mood, and reduces anxiety;
• a cocktail of sauerkraut juice, tomato juice, and cumin seeds. The tool quenches thirst, quickly removes alcohol metabolites, and relieves headaches;
• chamomile tincture reduces irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, neutralizes the toxic effect of alcohol on the nervous system, and improves sleep. Cooking method – 50 g of chamomile flowers pour 300 ml of water, boil over medium heat for 15 minutes, leave for an hour, and drink half a glass every 30 minutes.

Nutraceutical Support

• Succinic acid restores cells and tissues, helps to eliminate toxins, saturates blood cells with oxygen, and improves immunity;
• magnesium helps in restoring electrolyte balance and supports the work of the heart muscle;
• glycine normalizes brain activity, tones and strengthens the body;
• a complex of B vitamins is necessary for the restoration of the nervous system, accelerates blood flow and, improves brain function, supports liver function;
• sodium ascorbate (vitamin C) removes toxins, tones the body, and improves immunity;
• rehydration prevents dehydration and compensates for the lack of minerals.

What helps get rid of the smell of fumes from a hangover

The smell of fumes that appears when consuming alcoholic products results from breaking alcohol into dangerous compounds. Residues of alcohol can be excreted not only with vapors exhaled from the mouth but also with urine (mostly) and sweat glands (to a lesser extent).

Popular methods that help remove the unpleasant smell of fumes (all these measures are temporary, the symptoms disappear only after the alcohol is completely removed from the body):

• brush your teeth with products that contain mint;
• chew coffee beans, nutmeg, bay leaf or parsley, cloves;
• rinse your mouth with water with the addition of a drop of essential or sesame oil;
• Use mint or eucalyptus-flavored chewing gum.

How to avoid a hangover in the morning

If you want to avoid a hangover, it is best to stop drinking alcohol. To avoid negative consequences, you should follow some recommendations:

• Before the feast, you need to eat. Eat more greens and high-fiber vegetables. Fiber is a sorbent;
• Always keep in mind that there is no safe amount of alcohol. If the use of alcohol cannot be avoided, you should choose clear alcoholic drinks without gases and syrups. additionally, drink mineral water – the hangover will be much weaker;
• some medicines are incompatible with the use of alcohol. To avoid anaphylactic shock or Quincke’s edema, carefully read the instructions.

Conclusion

We told you how to get rid of a hangover at home. But it is better not to allow it and not to drink alcohol. If you find it difficult to give up completely, take a sensible approach to drinking alcohol and taking care of your health.