Author: Gary Jackson
How long does a hangover last? Plus how to cure a hangover fast
It may last longer or shorter, depending on your unique biology and how much you’ve had to drink. Although antiemetic medication like Pepto-Bismol might help reduce nausea and vomiting, it might not stop it entirely. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, causing acid release and inflammation. If you’re not sure which OTC nausea treatment to choose, consider speaking with a pharmacist. Various so-called “hangover remedies” exist on the market, but little scientific evidence shows they work. Hangovers are miserable, but most subside within 24 hours.
A hangover is a feeling of illness that occurs after alcohol consumption. The more a person drinks, the greater their chance of experiencing a hangover. It’s also good to know the difference between alcohol poisoning and hangovers, though alcohol poisoning symptoms usually show up while you’re drinking, not the day after. However, when frequent, severe hangovers become part of your everyday life, you could be headed down a path toward alcohol use disorder. It’s not impossible to turn it around on your own, but it’s more likely to get worse without intervention.
When Does a Hangover Peak and How Long Does It Last?
These medicines may not work well together with other medicines you take. A hangover begins when a person’s blood alcohol level begins to drop. Some experts state that the symptoms of a hangover peak when a person’s blood alcohol level reaches 0.
If a person experiences a hangover, it is best to drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate the body. Ethanol can cross the blood-brain barrier, where it produces much of its hangover effects, but acetaldehyde cannot. So, the faster the body converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, the less severe a person’s hangover symptoms will be. Some people rehydrate using sports drinks containing electrolytes to ease hangover symptoms. However, research has not found a connection between electrolyte disruption and hangover symptom severity.
Tips for next time
More research is needed to find the exact cause of wine headache. Hangovers after a single night’s drinking go away on their own. Talk with your healthcare professional if you’re concerned that frequent heavy drinking may lead to serious problems, such as alcohol withdrawal. But when the alcohol wears off, your nervous system must readjust.
- However, drinking more does often make for a more severe hangover, and severe hangovers usually last longer.
- However, research has not found a connection between electrolyte disruption and hangover symptom severity.
- Ideal for helping the liver to process the after-effects of too much alcohol, Take before you get the party started to line your stomach and protect your liver from the worst effects.
- If your frequent hangovers interfere with your life, it may be time to seek help.