A hangover is a state of unpleasantness that is experienced as a result of alcohol consumption. For some people, hangovers can be experienced after just a drink or two, and some people can consume significant amounts of hard liquor before experiencing any side effects. Everyone’s body reacts differently to the toxins present in alcohol. One key point of learning prior to knowing how to treat a hangover is to self-analyze and understand how your body reacts to alcohol to determine your personal alcohol tolerance. This insight can be valuable in the future to help you understand what precautions to take in the future or what hangover remedy to use.
The main question then is: what causes a hangover? Alcohol is primarily made up of an ingredient called ethanol. Ethanol is a diuretic, similar to caffeine. The effect it has on your body is to drain it of water, causing you to urinate more than your body naturally would. This results in dehydration for most people. As a result, symptoms such as dehydration, nausea and sluggishness are experienced after one consumes alcohol. This is why most of the best treatments for hangovers revolve around helping you rehydrate your body. It is the most effective way to quell the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover.
Even though there are quite a few hangover treatments available to counteract the effect of alcohol after you have been drinking, there is a hangover remedy that you can take prior to drinking as well to prevent having a hangover altogether. Hangover dietary supplements that are taken before one starts drinking help prepare your body for the toxins in alcohol and significantly reduce the chances of you experiencing any symptoms at all. These supplements usually have a mix of antioxidants and nutrients that help replenish your body making them the best treatment for a hangover.
If you are still wondering how to treat a hangover, there are some basic golden rules which help you manage the aftereffects of alcohol consumption as follows:
- Hydrate as quickly as possible with food and beverage options that contain potassium and sodium. These are electrolytes and are an excellent hangover remedy for counteracting dehydration.
- Rest and get as much sleep as you can. Sleep helps your body recover and heal quicker because your energy is not providing fuel for any other activities at that point.
- Perform some form of activity. After you have gotten enough rest, light exercise is a great way to get your body to stop feeling sluggish and is one of the best ways to treat a hangover.
- Eat comfort food that will help replenish nutrients in your body but are also easy on your digestive system to help decrease the queasiness from nausea. Eggs, oats, and spinach are great food options for hangover treatment.
Most times, hangover symptoms can be managed individually and do not require the attention of a medical professional. However, if you feel that your hangover remedy is not working and your symptoms seem to be worsening over time, it is recommended that you reach out to a healthcare provider. If you have alcohol poisoning, you may experience severe fatigue, vomiting, and chills. These symptoms will only worsen if not treated as soon as possible.
Overall, it is always the best approach to get prepared for what your body will experience when you consume alcohol and be ready to address it. If you know how to treat a hangover, that is great because it is valuable knowledge to possess. Another key point to always remember is to drink safely, especially by making sure to hydrate between drinks!