Author: James Anderson
Hangovers Diagnosis and treatment
You’re also more likely to have memory, concentration and coordination issues when you have a hangover. In general, the severity of your symptoms depends on how much you drank and for how long. Some companies use misleading advertising to claim that their products can prevent hangovers.
To rebalance them, you could drink a sports drink like Lucozade or Powerade, or use a rehydration powder. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it helps to remove water from the body faster. After drinking too much, some people also sweat more, vomit, and experience digestive issues like diarrhea, all of which cause the body to lose fluid. Alcohol has a wide range of effects on your body, many of which contribute to hangover symptoms. Alcohol impairs your attention, decision-making processes and muscle coordination.
Risk factors
If you feel sick after consuming alcohol, you most likely have a hangover. When your body processes alcohol, one of the byproducts is acetaldehyde. This substance can cause a fast pulse, sweating and nausea.
There are some reports online of them lasting for up to 3 days, but we can’t find much evidence to back this up. We’ve all woken up with a heavy head asking this question after one too many the night before. The answer to how long do hangovers last can be found in our genetics as well as the empties from the night before…
Treatment options are also available for those suffering from alcohol addiction. According to a recent study, the average duration of an alcohol hangover is 18 hours after stopping drinking or 12 hours after waking up.4 However, several factors influence this timeline. Evidence from the Boston University School of Public Health would suggest, largely, you can avoid a hangover if you only have one or two drinks. This is unlikely to elevate your blood alcohol content to a level where it would come back down substantially, so giving you the symptoms of a hangover. Several factors contribute to the cause of a hangover, but the catalyst for severe hangover symptoms is poor timing. This is because the time a hangover will last all depends on how quickly your body can work through the alcohol.
In this article, read about hangover duration, remedies, prevention, and when to consult a doctor. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) help you stay on track for recovery. They provide a safe and supportive environment to share your experiences with others struggling with alcohol addiction. As we get older, our body’s ability to process toxins slows down. As a result, you might be down for the count on less alcohol (and for longer) than before. Fortunately, hangovers typically go away within 24 hours.
Things to avoid
If you find that you are unable to control your drinking, it is essential to seek help. Gentle exercises are an excellent method to ease a terrible hangover because they will increase your alertness, and your body will release endorphins. These feel-good hormones can help alleviate some symptoms of a hangover.
- This is what an NHS GP wants you to know about how long hangovers last, and the biggest contributors to the worst symptoms.
- You could also opt for drinks with a lower ethanol content, like low alcohol wine.
- These symptoms vary from person to person and can range in intensity from mild to severe.
- Alcoholic beverages contain ingredients called congeners.
- This substance can cause a fast pulse, sweating and nausea.
People usually don’t go to a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis or treatment for a hangover. Mostly likely, you’ll know if you have a hangover based on your symptoms the morning after drinking alcohol. Common symptoms include tiredness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, problems thinking clearly, and low tolerance for light and sound. A hangover refers to a set of symptoms that occur as a consequence of drinking too much.
Are Hangovers Dangerous or Just Painful?
Like alcohol, certain over-the-counter pain relievers, including aspirin and ibuprofen, can increase acid release and irritate the lining of the stomach. Proceed with caution when using these medications before or after consuming alcohol. Some people take pain relievers to prevent hangover symptoms. But ask your healthcare professional if this is safe for you and how much medicine is best for you. These medicines may not work well together with other medicines you take.
What’s the best hangover cure?
Believe it or not, how many drinks you have doesn’t appear have a significant impact on how long a hangover lasts, according to a 2017 study. There are several factors that influence how long a hangover lasts and how bad you feel. Grace Walsh is woman&home’s Health Channel Editor, working across the areas of fitness, nutrition, sleep, mental health, relationships, and sex. In 2024, she will be taking on her second marathon in Rome, cycling from Manchester to London (350km) for charity, and qualifying as a certified personal trainer.