Brief Introduction on Hangover

Hangover refers to the physical and psychological changes, which take place in the body a person after the consumption of alcohol in a huge amount. When hit by a hangover, the person starts feelings ill and impaired.  Higher the quantity of alcohol consumed, greater will be it prevalence.

What causes a hangover?

It has been observed that certain people yet suffer from a hangover, though they consume less quantity of alcohol. Also sometimes, those who consume alcohol in a huge quantity might not experience a hangover. When a hangover strikes, you might have symptoms like weakness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, sweating, stomach pain, vertigo, anxiety, depression and decrease in sleep.

The one and only reason for having a hangover is the consumption of alcohol or alcohol beverages. There are possible risk factors, which can increase the symptoms of a hangover after the consumption of alcohol or contribute in its occurrence. They are as follows:

• Use of drugs like nicotine: Consuming nicotine sometime before or after the consumption of alcohol worsens the symptoms of a hangover.
• Congeners: Alcohol beverages with a dark color (bourbon, brandy, tequila, and scotch) contain congeners that are known to contribute highly towards a hangover.
• Family history of alcoholism: If you have a close family member with the history of alcoholism, then it increases the changes for you to suffer from a hangover due to the genes.
• Empty stomach: If your stomach contains food, the affect on alcohol will be lowered down, whereas empty stomach worsens.
• Compounds such as ethanol:  All the alcohol beverages contain ethanol, which leads to dry mouth, headache and lethargy.
• Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration: Dehydration is one of the symptoms of a hangover as consuming alcohol will increase the urine production, but if the body is already dehydrated then the effect will be worse. So, stay hydrated!
• Sleep and biological disturbances: Good quality sleep is a must after the consumption of alcohol. Inability to get enough sleep will worsen the symptoms of a hangover.

The duration of a hangover ranges from eight hours to 24 hours and seldom for a few days.

Treatment for hangover

Hangover itself subsides within a few hours and does not require any treatment, but yes the symptoms can be reduced by taking fruits juices, consuming honey (as it contains fructose), drinking lot of water, taking vitamin B-complex, eating foods that contain amino acids, taking coffee (in a limited quantity), acquiring enough sleep and taking a nutritious diet. Certain medicines are available, which relief the symptoms of a hangover, but these medications should not be taken without the doctors prescription.