The Hangover Bible: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment

by Jay | Updated on July 26th, 2022

Understanding and Addressing Hangover Causes Cures Hangovers

To find the most effective hangover remedies, hangover sufferers can look toward hangover causes. Hangovers are caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diuretic, which results in eventual dehydration.

When too much alcohol is consumed, vomiting may also occur, which causes even greater levels of dehydration. Alcohol also has an irritating effect on the lining of the stomach. These factors result in severe hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or upset stomach.

What Is A Hangover?

There are more slang words for ‘inebriation’ than for any other word in the English language. Some of them are relatively modern, while some go back centuries.

Until the 20th century, the term ‘hangover’ was used to describe unfinished business, like an agenda item left over from a meeting. Sometime in the early 1900s, however, it came to be applied to the aches and distress felt the morning after a night of drinking.

Of course, the hangover wasn’t invented in the 20th century. But, although there is little scholarly material on the subject, it’s safe to assume that, human nature being what it is, the hangover was probably discovered the morning after the discovery of fermentation. And drinkers have been in search of the perfect hangover cure ever since.

The Cause of a Hangover

The pounding headache, the upset stomach – of course, in its simplest terms, it’s a no-brainer. Likewise, the consumption of alcohol causes a hangover. But why does drinking alcohol cause a hangover? There are several reasons.

Alcohol is a drug; physiologically, it doesn’t belong in the human body. However, drinking is an enjoyable way of introducing a toxin into the system. The body produces enzymes to protect itself, but if the toxin level is too high, it can’t metabolize them efficiently, and the excess toxins make the victim ill.

Compounding the misery is the fact that alcohol is a diuretic, which is also why there’s always a line in the bathroom at the bar. The kidneys and liver need water to dilute and flush the toxins away, and if there’s not enough fluid, the body will start pulling fluid from other places to send into the battle. The result? Dehydration.

Avoiding the Hangover

The main cause of a hangover is that alcohol dehydrates the body by increasing the drinker’s urine production. Dry mouth, shaking, and headaches are caused by dehydration and persist until the body is hydrated through drinking water or other beverages.

A hangover may be avoided by limiting oneself to drinking several cocktails at night. Once the limit is reached, water or another non-alcoholic beverage should be substituted. Drinking a glass of water between drinks is also an excellent way to keep oneself hydrated.

For many people, eating greasy foods or taking vitamins before drinking also works but may not be the end. Over-drinking, no matter what precautions, will most likely cause a hangover.

The simplest way to avoid a hangover is not to drink, period. This eliminates the chance of dehydration and any other negative side effects that consumption of alcohol will cause. In addition, any unfortunate behavior associated with alcohol that causes a psychological hangover can be avoided.

The Psychological Hangover

On occasion, some drinkers will be faced with a psychological hangover. This hangover will not cause headaches, dry mouth, or nausea but will leave the drinker feeling regret or shame.

There may or may not be a reason for the person to feel regret or shame, but they feel it nonetheless. The most likely explanation is that alcohol is a depressant and will give the drinker symptoms of depression. In addition, since alcohol lowers the drinker’s inhibitions, it is also likely that bad choices were made the night before, and there is a reason for the regret.

Preventative Hangover Best Medicine: Water

Hangover medicine can be as simple as a glass of drinking water. However, many hangover symptoms result from severe dehydration, including fatigue, dizziness, and excruciating headache.

Drinking water as well as alcohol during a night out can reduce the symptoms of a hangover by maintaining hydration. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking one glass of water in between each round of alcoholic beverages can help to reduce the level of hangover experienced.

In addition to water consumption during the evening out, drinking at least one large glass of water prior to going to sleep for the night, and a glass of water upon waking up in the morning will also help reduce dehydration. Fruit juice can also be helpful, but hangover sufferers should be wary of caffeinated beverages due to their diuretic properties, which can worsen the hangover.

Curing a Hangover

One of the oldest cures known is “the hair of the dog,” or the notion that after an evening of over-indulgence, another drink is just the ticket. Consider it a homeopathic remedy – too much is a harm, but just a little is a cure.

That concept can be traced back at least as far as Hippocrates. (The Greeks took it literally, rubbing dog bites with dog hair.) The Bloody Mary is one of the most famous morning-after cocktails, although the Bullshot is also popular.

Oddly enough, there may be some validity to the practice. It’s believed that the withdrawal from alcohol causes a portion of the misery of a hangover, so it’s reasonable that consuming a small amount of alcohol would ease that pain.

On the downside, while another drink may help alleviate the pain of withdrawal, there’s not going to be a way to avoid that withdrawal completely.

And the Bloody Mary contains tomato juice, which is rich in Vitamin C, while some drinkers swear by orange juice or sauerkraut. Vitamin C is proven to help (not cure) a hangover since it helps clear liver toxins.

Juices can work faster than water to re-hydrate the body and replenish lost nutrients, so they may be a better choice than just taking a vitamin pill. For example, milk thistle aids liver function, and may give a boost to the toxin-clearing process, while ginger root tea is a traditional remedy to settle an upset stomach.

Food

Number one on the list of hangover cures is eating. According to Lifehacker.com, researchers in Britain found that eating concentrated doses of carbohydrates and protein after overindulgence can speed up your metabolism and provide the amino acids needed to start feeling better. Likewise, eating foods like a bacon sandwich, eggs, and toast or a greasy burger will make a hangover go away faster.

Toast Away the Night

A simple slice of toast, or bread if the application of heat seems a bit of dizzying idea, will help to replenish lost sugars in the blood. This should absorb some of the bubbling mixtures and help avoid some of the empty, hollow feelings of the morning and avoid the sensitive shiver of the cold steadying sober.

The BRAT diet, composed of bland foods that do not upset even the most delicate stomach, is recommended by doctors for individuals who have lost excessive fluids due to viruses or digestive problems.

The foods in this diet, Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, are also excellent for a hangover’s upset stomach. Eating a small snack of one of these bland foods, or a saltine cracker, can help settle the upset stomach after drinking.

Moderation Offers Remedies for Hangover

Looking for remedies, hangover sufferers often overlook the obvious. Moderation in alcohol consumption can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of a hangover. Limiting the number of drinks consumed during a night out can make a big difference when it comes to the level of pain and discomfort experienced the following day.

Drinking a glass of water every other round, as mentioned above, helps maintain proper hydration and reduces the amount of alcohol consumed, thereby helping to reduce the hangover even further.

Alcohol Destroys Vitamin B

Alcohol destroys Vitamin B in the body. Vitamin B is responsible for mental functioning, thyroid health, and many essential functions. Take a Vitamin B (50-100mg) along with a vitamin C (1000 mg) immediately upon rising in the morning. If alcohol is a prominent fixture in one’s life, it is essential to include Vitamin B and C daily.

Replace Lost Potassium

Potassium is one of the electrolytes lost in a night of heavy drinking. The easiest source to replenish potassium is fruit. Bananas, cantaloupe, and potatoes are all good sources of potassium, as is yogurt. If a sports drink is going to be used for electrolyte replacement, then make sure ample water is used to wash it down, as sports drinks cause dehydration.

Avoid Sugar in Drink Mixes

Sugar is another cause of dehydration, so it is wise to limit the sugar in drink mixes. At the same time, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame cause increased stress on the body and should be avoided.

Hair of the Dog?

The last of the wine slowly rolling scarlet in the over turned bottle may seem like the answer, may seem to force away bitter reality for a few hours.

The hair of the dog originates from the myth that eating the hairs of a rabid dog, which has bitten you, will avoid contracting any further illness.

A hangover is effectively the short term withdrawal symptoms of alcohol abuse, therefore drinking more will push it away by filling up the missing substance.

However, once these final few bottles glimmer from the ground, the hangover will be shadowing higher and higher once this dose is done.

Ginger Tea as a Nausea Hangover Treatment

Place a few fresh slices of ginger in a cup of hot water, and allow to steep for 2-3 minutes. Sweeten the resulting tea to taste and drink while hot. Ginger has well-known anti-nausea properties, and the lemony smell of fresh ginger is refreshing to even the most nauseated hangover victim.

In addition to soothing the upset stomach, drinking ginger tea during a hangover helps to rehydrate the body, which shortens the duration of the hangover symptoms overall.

Black Coffee Cure?

Many swear that a strong black coffee will both get rid of the heavy headedness of the hangover and clear anyway any twinge of remaining alcohol in the blood with a strong sobering grasp.

In actual fact coffee will help the emotions and pain of a hangover. In addition, the caffeine will help ease headaches and make one feel a little more alive.

However caffeine in itself is dehydrating, therefore it’s only a good idea if drunk with lots of water or other liquids, otherwise after the relief, it may well just drag things deeper into that heavy heartbeat pounding through the skull.

Ginger Ale?

To quell the burning ache of those real ales swallowed deep last night, it is a good plan to drink some fiery, strong ginger ale. Ginger helps settle an upset and rebellious stomach, this should help prevent those queasy blurring bus rides to work in the morning.

Having an Orgasm

A lesser known and possibly more fun cure is to engage in sex, or more specifically, have an orgasm, while hung over. It will release oxytocin, increasing the body’s pain threshold and making the hangover less severe.

Exercise

Exercise may also be helpful. Many people may not want to get up and move when experiencing a hangover, but sweat will help cleanse the body of toxins by increasing circulation. Do not overdo it, however. Too much exercise may increase dehydration.

Although the best way to avoid a hangover is to keep hydrated while drinking or by not drinking at all, it is possible to cure a hangover by eating correctly, resting, and drinking plenty of water.

It may also be possible to use alternative methods to alleviate the sick feelings after a night of drinking. It is important to remember, however, always to drink responsibly and address concerns for anyone with a drinking problem.

Red Wine and Histamines

Red wine contains high levels of histamines. For people that are sensitive to it, it can lead to stuffed up sinuses, headaches, and extreme lethargy. Quercetin found in onions, apples, capers and black tea has an anti-histamine effect and should help counter the effects of histamines in the red wine. Quercetin can also be purchased in capsule form.

Sleep

When all else fails, when the sun just seems too bright, when the ground dwells too low and the ticking of the clock hammers in the head, the best idea is to clutch the cushions tight and go back to those sweet champagne dreams. The body will work more effectively at clearing up the rubble of the evening while resting.

Time Cures All Hangovers

After taking action to rehydrate the body with ginger tea, supplemented with water and bland soothing foods, a hangover victim may still feel tired and nauseated. Unfortunately, the damage done to the body with excessive alcohol consumption does not disappear immediately. While there may be many promised miracle cures, the only true hangover cure is time.

Liver Health

It is no secret that alcohol is a poison to the body. However, when the body is healthy and the amounts of alcohol are small to moderate, the toxin can easily be filtered out without any undue harm. There are even health benefits to small amounts of alcohol. The keywords are small to moderate amounts.

When the liver gets impaired from alcohol poisoning or disease, it can no longer do its filtering function and it starts to die. The good news is that the liver is easy to regenerate if some simple protocols are followed.

First, increased water consumption makes the job of the liver and kidneys easier. Herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, schizandra, and bupleurum have amazing regenerative properties on the liver. Carrot juice, artichokes, and citrus peal are all helpful to liver function.

Do not take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to combat a hangover. Acetaminophen damages the liver and is just another stressor when metabolizing alcohol.

Hangover Medicine vs. Natural Hangover Treatment

A holiday party, birthday celebration, or a night in town can sometimes result in a difficult “Morning After.” Hangover medicine can treat many symptoms from a night of drinking, including hangover, headache, and upset stomach. Natural hangover treatments are also helpful in treating drinking effects, by addressing the cause of the symptoms.

Treat a Hangover Headache

A hangover headache is best treated with pain relief and hydration. The main cause of headaches associated with excessive drinking is dehydration because alcohol is a diuretic. Drinking too much alcohol causes enough water loss to result in a state of dehydration. To fight this aspect of a hangover headache, increase fluid intake.

In addition to hydration, pain relievers such as Tylenol and aspirin are also helpful for a headache’s hangover treatment. Avoid taking headache medicine while drinking. Aspirin can irritate the stomach, and combining acetaminophen (Tylenol) with alcohol can result in liver problems. Taking a multivitamin or drinking sports drinks such as Gatorade works to replenish vitamins and minerals lost through the alcohol’s diuretic effects.

Treat a Hangover With an Upset Stomach

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, resulting in an upset stomach. In addition, extreme drinking that leads to vomiting causes a sore stomach the next day. Taking an antacid, such as Tums or Alka-Seltzer, as a hangover medicine is a simple way to soothe the upset stomach but one of the more uncomfortable drinking effects.

In addition, the BRAT diet, which consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is composed of foods that tend to settle an upset stomach caused by excessive drinking.

Conclusion

Of course, the best way to avoid a hangover is not to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol in the first place. The second best way is to repair the body and return it to a sense of balance as quickly as possible after an over indulgence. Plenty of water, a banana, and Vitamin B and C are a good start to feeling better.

There is one thing that almost all hangover cures have in common. They might speed the process or help reduce the symptoms, but they don’t cure a hangover. When it comes right down to it, the only true cure for a hangover is time.

Jay

Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."