After one too many cocktail concoctions or beers with the buddies, everyone would agree that the next day's throbbing headache, parched mouth and queasy stomach aren't nearly as much fun as the party the night before.
But can you really cure a hangover? Dr Cassy Richmond gets to the bottom of the issue.
What causes a hangover?
Some important factors that play a role in determining whether you will wake up with a hangover after a night of drinking include the quantity and type of alcohol you drink and the speed with which you drink it.
As you may have already discovered, the more you drink, the more likely you are to develop a dreaded hangover. This is because alcohol has a diuretic effect, and drinking to excess can lead to dehydration (causing a subsequent headache and dizziness).
In addition, your body processes alcohol by converting ethanol to acetaldehyde in the liver. Too much of this in the system can produce further symptoms, including nausea.
Drinking alcohol loaded with preservatives can also leave you feeling a little under the weather, as can beverages with a high content of congeners (which are chemical by-products of alcohol fermentation), such as bourbon, whisky and red wine.
Related video: Hangover cures from the experts
How to avoid a hangover
Prevention is always better than cure — and the best way to foil a hangover is to avoid (or seriously limit) the amount of alcohol you consume. However, the best laid plans are often waylaid. In these situations, there are several tips you should know.
1. Before you drink. It is a good idea to pre-hydrate yourself with plenty of water before a night out on the town. Eating a meal containing starchy foods, such as pasta, is also advisable as it will slow your body's absorption of alcohol.
2. While you drink. There are three crucial mandates you should stick to when boozing with buddies:
- alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones;
- choose drinks that contain fewer congeners and preservatives such as vodka; and
- pace yourself; having no more than one drink per hour will give your body a chance to process the alcohol.
It is always advisable to grab a bite while you drink to minimise your alcohol absorption. In addition, some drinkers opt to take over-the-counter "hangover preventers", such as Hydrodol, which are said to work by providing a combination of vitamins, sugars and amino acids which can be lost during a drinking session. Can't hurt!
Before you go to bed make sure you drink a glass or two of water and keep a glass beside your bed.
3. The next day. The only evidence-based "cure" for a hangover is to rehydrate yourself, avoid coffee as it may exacerbate your dehydration and obtain adequate sleep. However, many next-day sufferers swear by the efficacy of other potential remedies.
For example, some believe adding a vitamin supplement, such as Berocca, to a tall glass of water may help with symptoms by restoring vitamins B and C. Others find that sipping on a sports drink is useful because it restores salts lost by frequent urination.
Aspirin or paracetamol (which may be found in some chemist-bought hangover remedies) may help with symptoms, such as headache. But use only as directed; and be aware that, for those with a sensitive stomach, aspirin may worsen symptoms.
What about the greasy breakfast?
Although many opt to dine on a fried or fatty breakfast (think bacon, sausages, fried tomatoes and the works), this will only serve to irritate a drinker's stomach further so best avoided. Eating eggs, however, may help to combat hangover symptoms because they contain large amounts of the amino acid cysteine, which can potentially "mop up" leftover toxins in the body.
Despite what you've heard, it's advisable to avoid a "next day bloody mary" or other hair-of-the-dog "remedy". Drinking more alcohol will only prolong hangover symptoms.
And remember...
The National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines regarding alcohol consumption were updated in 2009. Based on research, it is specified that, for healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.
Have your say: What's your trusted hangover cure?
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