Hungover: is there a cure?

After Hour Hungover----Is there a cure?

It’s morning or you think it’s morning. You put a hand over your eyes to block the penetrating light force trying to laser through your window shade. You lift your head to check the time, but the pounding inside your skull makes movement impossible. Your thick, fuzzy tongue cries for water. But the churning in your stomach takes charge. Off you go to worship the porcelain bowl.

Sound familiar? You have a hangover!

A recent study suggests that around 23% of the population may be resistant to hangover. Obviously you are not one of them. The National Headache Foundation’s reports an overwhelming 92% of the population has experienced a hangover headache at some point in their lives. Misery loves company - don’t you?

Why do I feel so crappy?Beer, wine, and liquor are all made of ethanol which causes blood vessels to enlarge triggering headaches in some people. Alcoholic beverages also contain chemicals called congeners, which create the specific color and flavors of each drink. Congeners also trigger headaches and induce hangover symptoms. Suffer from migraines? A recent study found that people suffering with migraines are more susceptible to alcohol-induced headaches
Alcohol stimulates the body to produce more urine. Urinating a lot can lead to dehydration or chemical imbalances in the body, resulting in headaches, dry mouth and general lethargy.
Alcohol is also tough on the stomach, causing nausea and stomach cramps. The fatigue and shakiness you feel are due to decreased blood sugar levels and the fact that your body is working hard to rid itself of a toxic level of alcohol.

TREATMENT

How can I minimize my suffering?The best treatment for a hangover is sleep, which gives your body a chance to recover. Eating something, even if you don’t feel like it, will probably help. After you get something in your stomach, take ibuprofen or naproxen to treat your headache. Don’t skip the food or chances are the headache may improve but the stomach problems will worsen. Once the room stops spinning, get up and get moving to get your blood circulating. The endorphins fight the after-effects of all the alcohol.

The National Headache Foundation offers the following advice:
Drink tomato juice. It’s a good source of fructose and it helps the body process alcohol faster.
Liquids rich in minerals and salts such as bouillon offer relief from the dehydration caused by alcohol consumption.

Drink sports drinks to replenish your body’s fluids.
Drink coffee as soon as you wake up: Caffeine may provide some relief in alleviating the headache symptoms and decreasing the duration of pain. Caffeine eases the dilated blood vessels.

Take ibuprofen: it is gentler on the stomach than aspirin and provides pain relief.

Myths: Only TIME can sober you up - coffee, a cold shower and exercise will NOT speed up the process. Here are some other myths:

Caffeine will sober you up - False. It just makes you jittery.
False. Drinking more alcohol will just prolong your suffering.
Take Aspirin or Tylenol before bed to rid a hangover - This can do more harm than good since aspirin can irritate the stomach. Try vitamin B instead.

What Should I Do Next Time?
Don’t drink so much! Save money and sip slowly. Add a few ice cubes. Your body can only metabolize about one drink per hour. Don’t forget a 10 ounce beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine and a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof distilled spirits all contain the same amount of alcohol and are considered ONE DRINK.

DO NOT DRIVE! Pennsylvania has set .08% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions.

Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Food helps slow the absorption of alcohol, especially fats and carbohydrates. Order a burger or cheese steak before heading to the bar or holiday party.
A tablespoon or two of honey provides fructose and contains vitamin B6 which can reduce hangover symptoms.

Order mixed drinks with fruit or vegetable juices which help replenish the sugars lost through over drinking. Eat pastries, cakes, or sugar based drinks before going to bed.
Drink clear alcohol or “top shelf” alcohol brands as they contain less congeners than dark or cheaper alcohols.

Drink plenty of water. Keep your body hydrated by alternating alcohol with water.
Stop drinking before you think you should. A study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol indicated that students significantly overestimate the number of drinks it takes to result in “morning regret” including throwing up, unwanted sex, hangovers and black outs.
Room still spinning?
Turn off the phone
Put a wastebasket or bucket near the bed
Pull the shades and turn off the phone
Resolve to drink less next time----Peace.

Dr. Fenibo Braide
Psychotherapist

Ref: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Health Info----12/21/09