Even if you are not a normally large drinker, special occasions can do a lot to all your modalization mantras. From open bar office parties to catching up with friends to holiday dinners with family, relaxing dinners often provide ample opportunities to drink.
It’s fun to bless and enjoy, but the next day I wake up with a headache and a typical whole-fe-whole bottle of malaise and it’s not very fun.
However, dealing with a hangover after drinking too much is avoidable. Get closer to your joy with the right plans. So, before you raise your next glass, consider these nuggets of wisdom.
What causes a hangover?
The simple answer is, of course, alcohol. However, the mechanism behind alcohol is not well known to make us feel very scary the next day.
“We don’t fully understand what’s going on or what’s causing it,” says Andrea N. Giancoli, MPH, RD. “But we know that alcohol is toxic to the body and is toxic to the organs.”
Dehydration plays a major role in causing headaches associated with hangovers. Alcohol is a diuretic – which means peeing – that’s why you might not experience the same pounding headache when you drink something with high water content, such as alcohol seltzer or vodka club soda.
And giancoli stimulates the stomach lining (which causes nausea and vomiting) and lowers blood sugar levels (trembling) where alcohol can have a negative effect on the immune system (generally makes it feel rough). (produces dizziness).
Can I avoid a hangover?
The only way to prevent a hangover is to avoid alcohol completely. However, if you want to treat a few drinks, there are a few things you can do to limit the symptoms of a hangover.
1. Think about it briefly
If avoiding alcohol is not an option, the first step is to practice inhibition. “You should limit your drinking to about two alcoholic beverages,” says Mitzi Dulan, CSSD, a registered dietitian with author. Pace the drinks at a distance, just as you have one during the round of appetizers and another when you have dinner.
And look at the size of your meal. A single serving of hard liqueur, for example, costs just 1.5 ounces. Filling a 9-ounce whiskey glass halfway through, you’re effectively making three shots.
2. Drain the drink with water
Duran suggests adding sparkling water to your drink – you will help stop dehydration and you will be less likely to induce excessively. For example, cut Prosecco 50-50 with sparkling water or mix hard liquor with seltzer and juice or citrus slices.
3. Avoid homologues
“Another way to potentially alleviate hangover symptoms,” says Giankoli, “is that gays drink free or low alcohol.”
Homologues are by-products of fermentation, which are considered toxic. They are higher than dark liquors such as bourbon, brandy, and whiskey, and lower with clear alcohols like gin, vodka and rum. It is also why mixing liquor can be a scary hangover recipe. Monologues of different types of alcohol can be added to increase the body’s toxic casualties.
Can I stop my hangover after drinking too much?
If you feel that you’re tipsy as the night rings, don’t panic. Stop drinking and switch to regular water or club soda, or start pouring at least one-on-one. “Drinking a glass of water between any alcoholic beverages helps reduce how much you drink and you will continue to hydrate yourself,” says Giankoli.
Hitting a refresh table is also helpful as food adds a barrier to help slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream.
“The main thing is not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach, because it is absorbed as soon as it hits the lining of your stomach,” says Giankoli. “If you’re drinking it on a hungry basis, you’ll feel the effects of alcohol quickly.”
And healthier gloves may be more useful than junk. “There are some studies that show that things like asparagus and mangoes may be useful,” says Giankoli. Don’t expect these foods to create a hangover miracle. As a general rule, find healthy snacks like fruit, vegetables, or whole grains with antioxidant properties that are suitable for your body.
If you know you’re going to be celebrating hard, plan ahead. Dulan likes to stuff high protein snacks, such as peanut butter and honey sandwiches and protein bowls made with oats, honey, peanut butter, protein powder, and almonds, in case you need damage control is. “These options make you feel good and energize,” she says.
How can I recover from a hangover?
Okay, so you celebrated too hard and didn’t understand it until it was too late. What now?
Go home and drink a large glass of water (2 or 3) before going to bed. That’s not a foolproof hangover cure, says Duran, but “it should help you feel better than you didn’t.”
And don’t worry about chasing your abundant amount of water with painkillers before you faint. “Some people take ibuprofen or aspirin before going to bed as a way to treat hangovers,” says Giankoli. “But it won’t last long enough.” By the time I wake up, I’m already worn out.
In the morning, Giankoli recommends staying in bed as long as possible. “I’m back to sleep. Time is the best healer,” she says.
When he finally brings his mist-covered body out of bed, Giankoli recommends eating mangoes and officials. “They are not proven and not proven,” she says. “But they are certainly healthy and will benefit your body in a variety of other ways.”
Mix them into a smoothie and then prepare a more fulfilling breakfast (like an egg with whole wheat toast) to restore blood sugar levels.
