Hangover Help

Did we have a good night last night?

Alcohol is often part of a big night out or a celebration, but it can leave us feeling a little less than sparkly the next day.

Some people will tell you that it’s self inflicted, that it’s all your own fault, but that doesn’t change the fact that you feel sicker than a parrot that’s been lying on the bottom of it’s cage for three days.

So what can you do to try to reverse the effects of the poison that your body is suffering from.

1. Take aspirin or an aspirin derivative like Ibuprofen (If it is safe for you to do so). Avoid paracetamol as your liver is already under performing as it’s trying to process the alcohol you drank, and it needs a bit of a break

2.Get some fluid into you. Part of the reason for the headache you’ve probably got is dehydration. Despite drinking lots last night, the alcohol has a diuretic effect meaning that you’ve probably lost more water than you’ve taken in, so you need to replenish it. Avoid tea and coffee as they have caffeine in them which won’t improve your dehydration. Instead go for water or water mixed with fruit juice. The water will hydrate you and the fruit juice will boost your blood sugar and give you a dose of vitamin C which will help your liver out and potassium which will replace some of the electrolytes you have lost.

3.Eat something. Depending on how you are feeling this could be some dry toast or cereal which will help to boost your blood sugar, or a bacon sandwich which will not only boost your blood sugar but will also help to replace salt and brain neurotransmitters that were depleted by the alcohol. Eggs are a good choice as they contain an amino acid called cysteine which helps counter the effects of acetaldehyde, which is known to create worsened hangovers.If you feel sick it’s worth trying to eat some ginger as this is know to reduce the feelings of nausea and if you really can’t face anything else, try a packet of crisps.

4. Be Happy. A 1997 study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that guilt about drinking, a neurotic personality, becoming angry or depressed while drinking, and having suffered “negative life events” in the past 12 months are better predictors of symptoms of hangover than how much or what you drink!

5. Do some gentle exercise. Going for a walk is a great idea. It might not seem it at first, but getting out in the fresh air and getting the blood circulating will help to alleviate your symptoms, just make sure you have had some water and food first.

6.If all else fails, go back to bed. Sleep is one of the most essential treatments for a hangover, as your body in most cases does not get a chance to go into the R.E.M. (rapid eye movement) state of sleep which provides proper restoration for your brain due to the rebound of glutamine in your body. If you have to be up, make sure you get to bed early tonight.

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Hangover free weekend 🙂