Hangover

Symptoms of a hangover include feeling thirsty, sick, tired and headachey and being more sensitive to noise or bright lights. These effects are thought to be caused by inflammation and by alcohol dehydrating the body – alcohol makes your body lose water. Alcohol also irritates the lining of the stomach, leading to indigestion, and being sick if you drink a lot. Some people may be able to drink more than others without getting a hangover, but EVERYONE’s body will react to being overloaded with alcohol. The liver can only break down one unit an hour. Time is the only cure for a hangover giving the liver a chance to recover.

Tips for the morning after

If, in spite of your best intentions, you end up drinking more than you should, there are a few things you can do to ease the morning after.

• Get rid of the toxins by drinking lots of water and eating wisely – Drink as much water as you can before going to sleep, and put some beside the bed too.
• Take an antacid to settle your stomach.
• Alcohol is a depressant, so tea or coffee can perk you up (but they can also dehydrate you, so keep up the water as well).
• Drinking lowers your blood sugar level, so eat as soon as you can. Bananas, cereal, or egg on toast are all good morning-after snacks.
• Have 48 hours without alcohol if it was a heavy session to give your liver a chance to recover.

The best advice is to avoid getting one by not drinking or by sticking to low risk guidelines.

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