A hangover is the colloquial term for the symptoms you feel after heavy drinking or drug use. Symptoms of hangovers include headache, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, loss of appetite, shaking, increased thirst and trouble focusing. Headaches, nausea and thirst are the most common symptoms.
The easiest way to prevent a hangover is to avoid overuse of alcohol or drugs, but if you think you'll be overindulging, make sure you are well-hydrated and well-rested, have recently eaten and avoid too much physical activity while indulging. Taking this precautions can help prevent or at least minimize symptoms of a hangover.
But if you find yourself with a hangover, there are plenty of remedies. Below are some ideas.
Rest and Fluids
The best cure for a hangover is plenty of rest and plenty of water. When you have a hangover, your body is sorely lacking fluids, and drinking water will rehydrate you. Fruit juices and sports drinks (like Gatorade) are also recommended, as they have electrolytes that will help to stabilize your blood chemistry. While you're resting up after a hangover, avoid caffeine, as it dehydrates.
Have a Bloody Mary
A Virgin Mary is your best bet here as the fructose, vitamins and nutrients in tomato juice and the celery stick are going to help your body to recover. But if you must have some vodka, make it a light Mary. Your body will concentrate on handling the new alcohol, which should temporarily reduce your hangover symptoms, but one way or another, you're going to have get off the wagon and get hydrated again. Many people swear by spicy drinks and foods for a hangover, as the spices speed up the metabolism and can make you sweat out the alcohol.
Work Out
If you can manage it, going to the gym or finding another way to sweat is a great hangover cure. Once you get your body moving and sweating, any excess alcohol will exit your body through your sweat glands. But make sure to drink about four eight-ounce glasses of water before heading to the gym, otherwise you may end up dehydrated.
Herbal Remedies
Drinking tea made with ginger or thyme will help reduce nausea in any circumstance, and both are good choices if you're hungover. In addition to making the nausea go away, you'll be hydrating your body. Honey is another popular remedy, but you've got to take a lot of it---two to six teaspoons about every half hour until you start feeling better. Honey is high potassium, which helps curb alcohol cravings, and the sugar helps your body quickly metabolize any remaining alcohol.
Alka Seltzer
Alka Seltzer has long been considered an almost instant hangover remedy. Drink it when you wake up and your hangover could be gone in less than an hour. This medication has electrolytes and is designed to treat classic hangover symptoms, including headaches, nausea and indigestion. Plus, you take it with water, helping you hydrate.
Fuits and Vegetables
Bananas are a longtime hangover cure as they are filled with potassium and electrolytes. Potassium will help curb your cravings for alcohol and it seems to settle the stomach. Tomatoes and tomato juice are another winner, as they are high in fructose, which will help your body quickly metabolize any alcohol remaining in your body. Some people swear that persimmons and raw cabbage will help abate headache symptoms, while a combination of lime juice, sugar and eight ounces of water will also help elevate your blood sugar.
Warnings
While taking aspirin, ibuprofen or acetomeniphin might seem like a good idea when you have a hangover, it is best to avoid these options. When mixed with alcohol, all three of these drugs can harm your liver. Of the brand names, this means stay away from Tylenol, Excedrin and any kind of aspirin.
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