All About Hangovers
A hangover is a collective term for a constellation of symbols following a heavy consumption of drugs, particularly alcohol.
Common characteristics of a hangover include a headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, and thirst.
Although hangovers generally last for several hours following drug consumption, some may last for two to three days.
Suggested sources of hangovers include hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
In reality, they are probably caused by an interaction of these problems.
Alcohol dehydrates the body with a diuretic effect.
In addition, glucose generation in the liver slows down, leading to hypoglycemia and feelings of lethargy.
Vitamin B12 is used in ethanol digestion, leading to an overall deficiency in the body.
Hangovers are also mitigated by the presence of congeners, which are by-products of alcoholic fermentation.
Different drinks have varying levels of congeners, with darker and sweeter spirits, such as liqueurs and red wine, containing the most.
Correspondingly, most people report the worst after effects with sweet drinks and dark alcohols such as tequila or whiskey.
Hangover prevention and cure theories have been around for ages, although no medical option exists, short of waiting for the body to fully metabolize the ingested substance.
It is recommended to drink a large quantity of water or a rehydration drink before sleeping to ward off a number of the symptoms.
Other proposed cures include light exercise, to increase blood flow and oxygen within the body.
Supplemental oxygen, magnesium, and vitamin B12 are all suggested methods of ending the negative effects of a hangover.
Simply eating food and drinking lots of water will help as well, as long as nausea is not a factor discouraging the ingestion of food.
The body needs nutrients after a night of drinking and eating is the most direct way to address the shortage.
Ineffective cures include artichoke and sarsaparilla extract, kudzu, Gatorade, and the hair of the dog remedy.
Hair of the dog primarily refers to the further ingestion of alcohol in order to lessen symptoms.
The idea comes from an erroneous method of treating a rapid dog bite by placing hair from the dog in the bite wound.
Like its origin, hair of the dog is an unsuccessful way to help hangovers, and can actually lead to a damaging cycle that ends in alcoholism.
Common characteristics of a hangover include a headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, and thirst.
Although hangovers generally last for several hours following drug consumption, some may last for two to three days.
Suggested sources of hangovers include hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
In reality, they are probably caused by an interaction of these problems.
Alcohol dehydrates the body with a diuretic effect.
In addition, glucose generation in the liver slows down, leading to hypoglycemia and feelings of lethargy.
Vitamin B12 is used in ethanol digestion, leading to an overall deficiency in the body.
Hangovers are also mitigated by the presence of congeners, which are by-products of alcoholic fermentation.
Different drinks have varying levels of congeners, with darker and sweeter spirits, such as liqueurs and red wine, containing the most.
Correspondingly, most people report the worst after effects with sweet drinks and dark alcohols such as tequila or whiskey.
Hangover prevention and cure theories have been around for ages, although no medical option exists, short of waiting for the body to fully metabolize the ingested substance.
It is recommended to drink a large quantity of water or a rehydration drink before sleeping to ward off a number of the symptoms.
Other proposed cures include light exercise, to increase blood flow and oxygen within the body.
Supplemental oxygen, magnesium, and vitamin B12 are all suggested methods of ending the negative effects of a hangover.
Simply eating food and drinking lots of water will help as well, as long as nausea is not a factor discouraging the ingestion of food.
The body needs nutrients after a night of drinking and eating is the most direct way to address the shortage.
Ineffective cures include artichoke and sarsaparilla extract, kudzu, Gatorade, and the hair of the dog remedy.
Hair of the dog primarily refers to the further ingestion of alcohol in order to lessen symptoms.
The idea comes from an erroneous method of treating a rapid dog bite by placing hair from the dog in the bite wound.
Like its origin, hair of the dog is an unsuccessful way to help hangovers, and can actually lead to a damaging cycle that ends in alcoholism.
