Author: Alex Thompson
How long does a hangover last? Plus how to cure a hangover fast
Hangover intensity and duration are individual to the person and how much alcohol was consumed. The best way to prevent hangovers is to avoid drinking. If you find that you are unable to control your drinking, it is essential to seek help. Even if you fell asleep after drinking, the chances are that it was not restorative. If you wake up exhausted after a night of drinking, taking more time to rest your body will help ease the discomfort.
A hangover begins when a person’s blood alcohol level begins to drop. Some experts state that the symptoms of a hangover peak when a person’s blood alcohol level reaches 0. Depending on different factors, a hangover usually lasts around 24 hours after drinking. If you must drink, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake. Treatment options are also available for those suffering from alcohol addiction.
Amount of Rest You Receive After Drinking
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. Since liver function slows down as we age, acetaldehyde tends to last longer in the system of older people. Alcohol is absorbed more slowly when food is in the stomach before you start drinking. Without food in your stomach, most of the alcohol finds its way into your blood quickly. When ADH production is affected, you may experience a more frequent urge to urinate.
It can linger for several hours even after a person no longer has an elevated blood alcohol level. Some people rehydrate using sports drinks containing electrolytes to ease hangover symptoms. However, research has not found a connection between electrolyte disruption and hangover symptom severity. A hangover is a feeling of illness that occurs after alcohol consumption. The more a person drinks, the greater their chance of experiencing a hangover.
Stick to one type of alcohol
Consider alternating a non-alcoholic drink with each alcoholic beverage. It will give your body more time to digest the alcohol, reducing hangover symptoms. If you take any medications, always check with your healthcare provider before drinking alcohol to avoid negative interactions that may prolong your hangover. 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.
- When your body processes alcohol, one of the byproducts is acetaldehyde.
- Hangover intensity and duration are individual to the person and how much alcohol was consumed.
- In most people, the body breaks down acetaldehyde before it causes problems.
- Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or make a hangover worse.
Popular strategies such as cold showers and coffee drinking can briefly increase alertness. However, they do not speed up the detoxification process. If a person experiences a hangover, it is best to drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate the body. “Hangxiety” is anxiety that can occur after drinking.
They provide a safe and supportive environment to share your experiences with others struggling with alcohol addiction. Ultimately, the only surefire remedy for a hangover is to avoid getting one by drinking in moderation or choosing not to drink. The following are some questions people frequently ask about hangovers. In this article, read about hangover duration, remedies, prevention, and when to consult a doctor.
Are some people more likely to develop a hangover?
If you’re in the throes of a monster hangover, relief can’t come soon enough. Talk with your healthcare professional before trying any alternative medicine. Your healthcare professional can help you understand possible risks and benefits before you try a treatment.
Things to avoid
These medicines may not work well together with other medicines you take. More-serious symptoms from heavy drinking may be a sign of alcohol poisoning — a life-threatening emergency. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes deadly result of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex.
Although it’s natural to feel nauseous while hungover, it’s a good idea to be aware of dehydration symptoms. Get medical help if you can’t stop vomiting or if you suspect you’re dehydrated. However, if you can’t keep water down or if you’re unable to stop throwing up after 24 hours, it’s a good idea to get medical attention.
Factors That Determine How Long a Hangover Will Last
Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or make a hangover worse. But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning. In the study, participants using red ginseng had lower concentrations of ethanol and increased acetaldehyde levels compared with placebo. This suggests that the red ginseng increased the speed of ethanol’s conversion to acetaldehyde. Not drinking alcohol is the only surefire way to prevent a monster hangover in the future.
For one, it gets you intoxicated faster and makes day-after misery a lot more likely. Plus, hangovers tend to be more severe after drinking on an empty stomach. Many alternative remedies are marketed for hangovers. But studies haven’t found any natural remedies that consistently or effectively improve hangover symptoms. One strategy that some find beneficial is to alternate between an alcoholic beverage and water. This will help keep you hydrated and, since you would be drinking so much liquid, it may inadvertently keep you from drinking too much alcohol.
While these medications can be helpful for headaches and muscle pains, they may also irritate your stomach lining, causing nausea. Other people seem to be able to get away with several drinks, or even a night of heavy drinking, without experiencing much in the way of next-day effects. Most hangover symptoms disappear independently after your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) drops significantly. However, it’s not unusual for the symptoms to last up to 24 hours. Some people have a headache a few hours after drinking wine — especially red wine. But it’s different from a hangover, which may or may not include a headache.