But the only guaranteed way to prevent a hangover is to not drink alcohol. A hangover is a group of unpleasant symptoms that can happen after drinking too much alcohol. As if feeling awful weren’t bad enough, frequent hangovers also are linked with poor performance and conflict at home, school and work. Limiting how much alcohol you drink at one time is the most effective way to minimize the possibility of a hangover. It’s a good idea to have someone on hand to let you know if you’re perhaps consuming too much. How much you need to drink to cause a hangover depends on many factors.
Drink a sports drink.
- Here’s what we do know about alcohol’s effects on the body and how it may bring on a hangover.
- The idea is that you absorb the vitamins through your skin to counteract the negative effects of alcohol.
- You’re also more likely to have memory, concentration and coordination issues when you have a hangover.
- Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or make a hangover worse.
This substance can cause a fast pulse, sweating and nausea. In most people, the body breaks down acetaldehyde before it causes problems. But it can cause inflammation in organs, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.
- Some products marketed as hangover cures may be dangerous.
- Additionally, heavy drinking can increase inflammation in your body.
- For hangovers, it’s all about your body’s response to alcohol, says Dr. Waters.
- Despite how often hangovers happen, little research exists to explain exactly why.
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We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Dehydration can also worsen if your hangover symptoms include nausea/vomiting or diarrhea.
Get plenty of sleep
Alcohol messes with your sleep, and that lack of rest leaves you fatigued. Here are 16 ways to feel better when you’ve got a nasty hangover. Another common practice is to load up on coffee, but that may not be a great idea either.
- You can also learn from the experience and take steps to try to prevent a hangover, like staying hydrated, the next time you go out for cocktails or have wine with dinner.
- Many people also use sports drinks that contain electrolytes or rehydration powders to restore the balance of electrolytes in their bodies.
- A 2017 study found that these aspects of cognitive function were all highly impacted during a period of hangover symptoms.
- You can find extracts made from this herb online and in health food stores.
Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Let’s find out from emergency medicine physician Thomas Waters, MD. Studies show that if you smoke cigarettes while you drink, you may get a worse hangover. Researchers don’t know why, but they think it may have to do with how nicotine works on your nervous system.
Take an antacid pill for your stomach.
Resolving a health issue begins with understanding the root cause of the problem. For hangovers, it’s all about your body’s response to alcohol, says Dr. Waters. If you don’t already drink coffee regularly, don’t down how long does a hangover last a cup in hopes of relieving your hangover.
Rehydrate the Right Way
Since an upset stomach can accompany a hangover, try sipping on ginger tea or chewing on pickled ginger for some tummy support. The tasty orange fruit, whether off the tree or from your local grocery store, might offer some hangover protection. Both the flesh and peel of the mango appear to decrease plasma alcohol levels after consumption.
