Drinking and having a good time can easily turn into – drinking too much. When this happens, a hangover is often possible. However, there are things that can be done to avoid an unexpected hangover in order to continue functioning the next day. Firstly, let’s learn more about hangovers:
Hangover
This is commonly defined as various symptoms that result from heavy drinking. Individuals with a hangover will often feel sick, have a headache, be thirsty, sleepy and have a feeling of confusion. The seriousness of a hangover will be determined by the amount of alcohol consumed. There are a number of factors associated with the amount of alcohol a person can consume without getting a hangover. This includes if a person is tired or dehydrated before they start drinking and more. Most hangovers last approximately 24 hours after the symptoms begin to appear.
Signs
The signs of a hangover will begin to be evident when the blood alcohol of the person who drank too much begins to drop. This will usually happen the morning after the heavy drinking. A person may feel anxious, have bloodshot eyes, nausea, thirst, a stomachache and more.
Causes
The most accepted explanation for a hangover is that the alcohol consumed reacts in the body as a diuretic. This will increase a body’s production of urine. Many people will not drink a sufficient amount of water during an episode of heavy drinking. This will cause a person to have a dry mouth, and their body won’t have enough fluid to function properly. Experts agree that dehydration is responsible for the feeling of dizziness as well as the intense thirst.
The Body and Alcohol
It’s important for people to understand what happens to their body when alcohol is consumed. An alcoholic drink is initially broken down by the body into a chemical known as acetaldehyde. This is done with an enzyme identified as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This is then broken down again. An enzyme needs a coenzyme for doing everything from regulating electrolyte levels to absorbing glucose and more. Consumption of alcohol leads to a depletion of coenzymes, and this results in a person having hangover symptoms.
When a person is drinking alcohol, many essential nutrients are depleted from their body. When these nutrients are quickly replenished, it can help a body return to its natural balance. A hangover can be avoided.
Genetics
There are many factors involved with determining who is susceptible to a hangover; genetics may play a role. There is a common myth that Asian people are not able to handle drinking alcohol. Research has shown that over 79 percent of Asian people have a variant in their genetic coding involving an enzyme known as ADHIB. Korean, Chinese and Japanese have a form of this gene known as ADH1C. These genetic variants process alcohol more effectively than members of the Caucasian race. The Asian people have bodies that metabolize alcohol better but experience more of the side effects associated with consuming alcohol.
Gender and Age
There is research that has shown females have worse hangovers than males. The reason for this is that females tend to have less body mass when compared to males. There have also been studies that illustrate that individuals who are in their early 20s experience fewer hangovers when compared to people who are older. Some research suggests older people may drink more alcohol at a slower pace for longer time periods.
Curing a Hangover
There are a number of myths associated with curing a hangover. Some believe that drinking water or sports drinks will eliminate a hangover. This will help rehydrate a body, but the symptoms will remain. Other people believe they can sweat out the toxins in their body by spending time inside a sauna. This is potentially dangerous. A person with a hangover is experiencing dehydration. Sweating like this could cause a dangerous change in a body’s blood flow and should be avoided. It’s best to seek a hangover cure that quickly provides a person’s body with essential minerals. The next step is it should have natural ingredients that provide an effective way to remove toxins from the body over time. Time release pellets have proven to be very effective.
Author Bio:
This post was written by Ankush Gupta – a marketing administrator based in Toronto, Canada. He assists in contributing resourceful content throughout the web and prides himself in his ability to provide high-quality content that readers will find valuable. Follow him on twitter: @ankushguptaTO
