Splitting headaches, sickness, dizziness, dehydration: anyone who's ever drunk too much knows the consequences.
Splitting headaches, sickness, dizziness, dehydration: anyone who's ever drunk too much knows the consequences.
Alcohol makes you pee more, which can lead to dehydration. Dehydration is what causes many of the symptoms of a hangover.
Hangover cures are generally a myth. There are no cures for a hangover, but there are things you can do to avoid one and, if you do have one, ease any discomfort.
To avoid a hangover:
If you wake up the next morning feeling terrible, you probably didn't follow our advice.
Dealing with a hangover involves rehydrating the body to help it deal with the painful symptoms. The best time to rehydrate is before going to sleep after a drinking session.
Painkillers can help with headaches and muscle cramps.
Sugary foods may help you feel less trembly. In some cases, an antacid may be needed to settle your stomach first.
Bouillon soup, a thin vegetable-based broth, is a good source of vitamins and minerals, which can top up depleted resources. Its main advantage is it's easy for a fragile stomach to digest.
You can replace lost fluids by drinking bland liquids that are easy on the digestive system, such as water, soda water and isotonic drinks.
"Hair of the dog" – drinking more alcohol – does not help. Drinking in the morning is a risky habit, and you may simply be delaying the appearance of symptoms until the alcohol wears off again.
If you've had a heavy drinking episode, hangover or not, doctors advise that you wait at least 48 hours before drinking any more alcohol to give your body time to recover.
Sometimes, of course, a hangover makes that advice easier to follow.
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:
Fourteen units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.
You can keep track of how many units you're drinking using the One You Drinks Tracker app available from iTunes and Google Play.
See the guide below to find out how many units are in your favourite tipple.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.