Home Remedies for Hangovers
What is a hangover?
A hangover is the effects of heavy consumption of drugs most notably alcoholic beverages on your body. The most common effects include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and thirstiness. Hangovers are at their worst within a few hours of consumption but can last up to 2 or 3 days. It is thought that up to 30% of drinkers are resistant to hangover symptoms. The symptoms can also include vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and elevated body temperature. In some cases, although rare, hangovers can lead to hospitalization of the sufferer. These rare cases are usually from the dehydrating effects caused by the ethanol in the consumed alcohol. The dehydration is usually caused by increased urine production. Dehydration also causes fluid in the brain to be less plentiful. According to Wikipedia “the term hangover was originally a 19th century expression describing unfinished business-something left over from a meeting-or survival.” In 1904 the modern meaning of hangover was first used.
Remedies for Hangovers
The best remedy for a hangover is to not consume alcohol but of course that’s not going to happen or you wouldn’t be seeking information on hangovers. So here are a few ways to lessen or wipe away the effects of a hangover.
1. Get plenty of fluids- Fluids such as water, orange juice and electrolyte replacement fluids can help with the dehydration effects. Milk and eggs also contain cysteine which helps in rehydrating the body and making hangovers shorter in duration. Cysteine is available in many stores that carry health- supplements. Avoid coffee when you have a hangover because coffee can cause dehydration also.
2. Sodium bicarbonate taken as one heaping teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water helps with the nausea and shakes that come with a hangover.
3. Exercise after intoxication helps the heart pump blood around the body increasing oxygen within the body. A short jog is recommended as the type of exercise to lessen the effects of hangover symptoms.
4. Eat a banana which will increase the potassium and magnesium in your body relaxing the blood vessels and easing your headache.
5. Take an aspirin but avoid over the counters containing acetaminophen. Painkillers containing acetaminophen taken with alcohol can cause liver damage.
6. Prickly pear extract, also found in health-supplement stores can be used to relieve dry mouth and nausea.
As you can see there are many different ways to reduce the symptoms of hangovers. All consumers of alcohol can tell you their favorites but there isn’t any proof that one is better than the other.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.