| Search
Our HealthTip Databases
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Alcohol
Hangovers are caused by the physical and psychological effects of alcohol on the body. Physical symptoms of a hangover may include, headache, general malaise, nausea and vomiting.
Psychological effects are caused by the fact that alcohol is a depressant. The next day a withdrawal effect occurs leading to irritability crankiness and sensitivity.
Causes of a Hangover
Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic causing a reduction in body fluids leading to dehydration. Hangovers resulting from large quantities of lagers or beers are primarily caused by dehydration through urination. Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning that taking coffee, Red Bull™ or caffeine containing medicine the following morning will only lead to further dehydration.
Check here for further information on caffeine.
Toxins (cogeners) in the drink: The level of toxins or cogeners present will vary greatly between drinks and between different harvests or ages of wines. Paler spirits tend to contain less toxins and therefore lead to less severe hangovers. Studies in the British Medical Journal have shown that drinking bourbon whiskey is twice as likely to produce a hangover as an equal amount of vodka due to greater levels of cogeners present. As a general rule of thumb the most severe hangovers are produced by poor quality red wine, followed by brandy, rum, whiskey, white wine, gin and then vodka.
Drink in moderation!! Check your drinking with the eirpharm alcohol calculator
Drink slowly: Alcohol is eliminated from the body following breakdown by enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the liver. Drinking slowly will allow these enzymes time to work reducing the levels in the body. The liver will process about 10g or one unit of alcohol per hour.
Dont drink on an empty stomach: The presence of food slows the absorption of alcohol. Avoid caffeine: High caffeine drinks such as Red Bull will increase the dehydrating
effects of alcohol leading to more severe hangovers. Tea, coffee and some over the counter medicines also contain caffeine.
Check our Drugs in Sport database to see if your medicine contains caffeine
Don t mix your drinks: Older and wiser drinkers will advise never to mix the grape and the grain. i.e. don t drink whiskey and wine in the same session.
Avoid dehydration: Where possible drink water or non-alcoholic juices to reduce the effects of dehydration. Drinking lots of water just before bedtime will help reduce the dehydrating effects of a hangover. Oral rehydration salts (DIORALYTE™, REHIDRAT™) may be added to the water to assist in the rehydration process.
The choice of "cure" will depend on the exact symptoms of the hangover.
Take things easy for the day and do not try to eat very rich foods and drink plenty of fluids to counteract dehydration.
For headache and pain associated with a hangover, Paracetamol alone or in combination with codeine, aspirin, diphenhydramine or caffeine is often used. Brands include . PANADOL™, PANADOL EXTRA™, PANADOL NIGHT™, SOLPADEINE™,PARALIEF™, PANADEINE™, VEGANIN™, HEDEX™, TRAMIL™ and ANADIN PARACETAMOL™. It is less irritant to the stomach than aspirin or ibuprofen. The usual adult dose is one or two tablets up to four times daily. Some of these products may contain significant amounts of caffeine e.g. PANADOL EXTRA™ which may lead to further dehydration. Both alcohol and paracetamol have the potential to cause liver damage when used in excess. Repeated over-use of paracetamol to treat hangovers should be avoided.
Aspirin and Ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen) can also be used to treat a hangover. Aspirin
(ANADIN™, ANADIN EXTRA™, VEGANIN™, DISPRIN™, DISPRIN EXTRA™,
BAYER ASPIRIN™, CODIS™) is available alone or in combination with other
analgesic. Ibuprofen (e.g. NUROFEN™, SOLFEN™) can
also be used to treat a hangover. Aspirin and Ibuprofen may upset a sensitive
stomach. In addition, to drinking fluids, oral rehydration salts (DIORALYTE™,
REHIDRAT™) are taken with plenty of water will help to rehydrate the body.
For stomach upset and acidity, ZANTAC™ and PEPCID AC™ will reduce acid production. Up to two capsules can be taken over 24 hours.MOTILIUM™ helps to reduce gut motility and may be useful for hangovers associated with nausea and vomiting. One tablet can be taken three times daily.The "hair of the dog" (taking more alcohol) will only delay the effects of the hangover. The individual effectively remains drunk. This can lead to serious harm to the body.
references
|
More Related Health Tips >>
Health Tip Group > Alcohol
| | Health Tip Name | Full Details | | Blood Alcohol | more > | | Hangover | more > | | Alcohol | more > |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
