What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Hangover and How to Recover From It?

The worst feeling in the world is a hangover with nausea, irritated eyes, and throbbing headaches. No one wants to wake up in the morning with extreme fatigue, ready to vomit. There are plenty of hangover cures, from homemade fixes to over-the-counter medications. But how can you choose the right one?

Main causes of hangover

Alcohol dehydrates our body and makes us urinate more, which causes dizziness and extreme tiredness. Alcohol is a diuretic fluid that causes electrolyte imbalance through excess urination. It affects the inner lining of the stomach and liver, causing nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, and stomach burn. When you drink more than your body can naturally flush out in a short amount of time, the result is a hangover.

Each body has a different alcohol tolerance limit, and alcohol tolerance limits can change over time. Taking IV therapies helps cure a hangover by replenishing the body with rich electrolytes in an hour or less. Drip Hydration provides good hangover IV drips filled with B-complex vitamins, Toradol for pain relief, and nausea-preventing medications. Elixr IV therapy, Reset IV, and Mobile IV Medics are other companies providing hangover IV Miami services.

Major symptoms of a hangover

Symptoms of a hangover can vary from person to person. Typical symptoms of a hangover include:

  • Dry mouth, feeling very thirsty
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Light and sound sensitivity
  • Depression, anxiety, or irritability
  • Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
  • Rapid heartbeat or shakiness
  • Difficulty concentrating

It’s important to know the signs of alcohol poisoning.  If someone is showing the following symptoms, you should get emergency medical attention for them right away:

  • Slow  or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute, or a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
  • Blue-tinged or pale skin
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Low body temperature
  • Difficulty remaining conscious, or cannot be awakened after passing out
  • Seizures

Recovery process

The body generally recovers from a hangover in 24 hours or less. Eating a healthy breakfast can help refuel your body with vitamins and nutrients, as well as help maintain blood sugar levels.  While low blood sugar does not cause hangovers, they are frequently associated with hangovers and hangover symptoms. You should also take care to drink plenty of water and rehydrate after a night of drinking. Coffee may help as well, as it helps combat headaches.

If you are experiencing light and sound sensitivity, avoid straining your eyes watching electronics and rest in a quiet place. NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve pain often associated with hangovers, like headaches and muscle aches.  Anti-nausea medication may help ease your stomach.

Tips for faster hangover recovery

Drinking water

Rehydrating your body is one of the most important ways to treat a hangover.  After a night of drinking, try to remember to drink water before going to bed.  You may also want to drink a sports drink in addition to water.  Replenishing sodium, potassium, and other important electrolytes will help relieve symptoms and help you feel refreshed.  A vitamin IV is one of the fastest ways to rehydrate your body and replenish electrolytes after a hangover.

Eat carbs

Eating carbs can help restore blood sugar levels, relieving the dizziness that many experience as part of a hangover.  Wheat toast or whole grain crackers can help refuel your body and give you an energy boost, while being gentle on your stomach.

Rest up

While it may seem like alcohol can help you sleep better, studies show it is actually disruptive to sleep.  Alcohol can decrease sleep quality and make you not sleep as long.  To help alleviate hangover symptoms, make sure you get plenty of rest after a night of drinking.  Allowing your body the time it needs to recover can help you from feeling run down days later.

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