5 tips to kick the festive hangover to the curb

AFTER a long night of consuming alcohol, one can often be left feeling as if they have been hit by a bus, or two, the next morning.

While many would say the best option to avoid a hangover is to refrain from alcohol, it is also that time of year when people want to let their hair down and have a little fun.

Also read: 4 Ways to avoid toddler tantrums on Christmas day

 Here are five simple tips to possibly help prevent a hangover or provide relief the next morning:

• Avoid drinks with congeners

Congeners are toxic chemical byproducts that are formed in small amounts during the process of ethanol fermentation, where sugars are converted into carbon dioxide and ethanol, also known as alcohol. Some studies have found that consuming drinks high in congeners could increase the frequency and severity of hangovers. Congeners may also slow the metabolism of alcohol, which can prolong your symptoms. Choosing drinks that are low in congeners could help speed up the metabolism of alcohol and therefore reduce the incidence and severity of hangovers. However, more recent, high-quality studies are still needed. Drinks that are low in congeners include vodka, gin and rum, while tequila, whiskey and cognac are all high in congeners.

• Stay hydrated

Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration in a few different ways. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning that it increases the production of urine. This can lead to the loss of fluids and electrolytes which your body need in order to function properly. Furthermore, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea, causing further loss of fluids and electrolytes. Although dehydration is not the only cause of a hangover, it contributes to many common hangover symptoms, including increased thirst, fatigue, headache and dizziness. Increasing your water intake may alleviate some symptoms of hangovers or potentially even prevent them altogether.

• Eat a good breakfast

Eating a hearty breakfast is one of the most well-known remedies for a hangover. One reason is that a good breakfast can help you maintain steady blood sugar levels. Although low blood sugar levels are not necessarily the cause of a hangover, they’re often associated with it. Low blood sugar could also worsen certain hangover symptoms, including nausea, fatigue and weakness. Though studies evaluating the effects of specific foods on hangover symptoms are limited, eating more zinc-rich foods, such as nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy products and whole grains, may also be associated with decreased hangover severity. 

• Take a pain reliever

Over-the-counter pain medications could help relieve certain symptoms associated with hangovers.  However, if you’re experiencing symptoms such as nausea or stomach pain, rather avoid taking any pain medication as it could irritate your digestive system and worsen your symptoms.

• Sleep, sleep and more sleep

Alcohol can cause sleep disturbances and may be associated with decreased sleep quality and duration for some people. Though low to moderate amounts of alcohol may initially promote sleep, studies show that higher amounts and chronic use can disrupt sleep patterns. While a lack of sleep doesn’t cause a hangover, it can make one worse. Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and irritability can become worse as a result of a lack of sleep. Getting a good sleep and allowing your body to recover may alleviate your symptoms.

SOURCE: www.heathline.com

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