Hangover

A hangover is when you have unpleasant physical and mental symptoms after drinking too much alcohol. “Too much” varies from person to person. Some people get a hangover after just one drink. Some people who drink heavily don’t get symptoms.

A hangover hits about six to eight hours after excessive alcohol intake. Usually, symptoms begin in the morning hours after drinking the night before. But a hangover can happen at any time of day, depending on when you drink.

Once you’re feeling the effects of excess alcohol, you may want to try any remedy to make it go away. But there’s no quick fix for a hangover. Waiting it out while taking care of yourself is the best option.

Symptoms of hangovers

In general, the severity of your symptoms depends on how much you drank and for how long. Your health, medications and other factors also play a role. Symptoms of a hangover may include:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Headache and sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain
• Dry mouth and extreme thirst
• Focus and memory issues
• Shakiness
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Excessive sweating
• Mood changes, like depression, anxiety or irritability

Several of these symptoms also occur during alcohol withdrawal. But during withdrawal, they’re typically more severe and last longer.

Hangover causes

In short, alcohol causes hangovers. Having more than one beverage per hour increases your risk. Your body needs about an hour to process one drink.

Hangovers typically begin when your blood alcohol content (BAC) significantly drops. This is usually six to eight hours after drinking.

Alcohol affects your body in several ways. These factors contribute to why you get a hangover:

• Dehydration: Alcohol makes you pee more. You lose a lot of fluid this way. It also limits the release of a hormone that balances your body’s fluids. This leads to thirst, fatigue and headaches.
• Electrolyte imbalances: Your body needs certain chemicals, called electrolytes, to perform at its best. Peeing a lot throws your electrolytes out of balance.
• Digestive tract irritation: Alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach and intestines. It slows the rate of digestion. These issues lead to an upset stomach and nausea.
• Disrupted sleep: Alcohol may make you fall asleep faster. But it greatly disrupts your overall sleep quality. It reduces REM sleep and leads to fragmented, lighter rest later in the night. This can leave you feeling extra tired the next day.
• Inflammation: Alcohol increases inflammation throughout your body. It can contribute to the general unwell feeling of a hangover.
• Low blood sugar: Alcohol affects how your liver and pancreas work to manage your blood sugar. This can lead to low blood sugar, which makes you feel shaky, weak and sweaty.
• Alcohol byproducts: When your body processes alcohol, one of the byproducts is acetaldehyde. It can cause a fast pulse, sweating and nausea.
• Effects of withdrawal: Alcohol helps you feel calm, relaxed and even happy. When it wears off, your nervous system must readjust. You may end up feeling anxious and irritable.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop a hangover after drinking alcohol. Factors that may increase your risk of getting one or make it more severe include:

• Drinking dark-colored alcohol: Darker-colored drinks, like bourbon and red wine, tend to have higher levels of congeners. These are compounds that affect how alcohol tastes and smells. They tend to make hangovers more severe.
• Drinking on an empty stomach: A lack of food in your stomach makes your body absorb alcohol faster.
• Family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD): Having close biological relatives with AUD may suggest a genetic issue with the way your body processes alcohol.
• Using other substances: Cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine and other substances also affect your nervous system. Using them while consuming alcohol can make a hangover worse.

Complications of this condition

With a hangover, you may not be thinking clearly. It impairs your attention, decision-making processes and muscle coordination. Because of this, driving during a hangover can be dangerous or deadly. You may also be less productive at work or school.

How can I cure a hangover?

Time is the only true cure for a hangover. It takes time for your body to clear the toxic byproducts, rehydrate and heal tissue. Symptoms tend to ease up over eight to 24 hours.

Many hangover remedies claim to treat your symptoms. But they often lack scientific evidence. And some can be dangerous. For example, drinking more alcohol (“hair of the dog”) won’t help. And several pills or supplements make claims of a cure without evidence to back them up.

These self-care strategies may help you feel better while you wait out a hangover:

• Eat bland foods with complex carbohydrates, like toast or crackers. It’ll stabilize your blood sugar and reduce nausea.
• Drink lots of fluids, including water, electrolyte beverages, broth and other nonalcoholic beverages. To be sure you’re getting enough hydration, drink fluids until your pee is clear.
• Get sleep to counteract fatigue.
• Take antacids to help settle your stomach.
• Try aspirin or other NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDs help ease aches and pains. But use them sparingly since they can upset your digestive system.
• Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol^®). It can be toxic to your liver when combined with alcohol.

Can hangovers be prevented?

The only surefire way to avoid a hangover is not to drink alcohol. But if you’re going to drink, the following steps may help prevent one or limit its severity:

• Choose wisely: Lighter-colored drinks typically result in less severe hangover symptoms. Darker-colored drinks lead to more severe symptoms.
• Drink less: Symptoms are less likely if you drink less alcohol.
• Drink water: Alternate beverages containing alcohol with plain water. Water helps prevent dehydration.
• Eat: Food helps slow the absorption of alcohol. It’s best to eat before drinking. Even adding non-diet cola, ginger ale, fruit juice or punch to your drink can help slow absorption.
• Pace yourself: Limit consumption to one drink per hour. That’s about how much your body can process.
• Sip carbonated beverages slowly: Carbon dioxide bubbles can speed up the rate of alcohol absorption in your bloodstream.