Author: Gary Jackson

How Long Does a Hangover Last? What to Expect

If you must drink, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake. Treatment options are also available for those suffering from alcohol addiction. Alcohol is the main culprit in a hangover, but other components of alcoholic beverages might contribute to hangover symptoms or make a hangover worse.

The researchers concluded that 25% to 30% of people who drink may be resistant to hangovers. Hair of the dog has been touted as a hangover cure for centuries. It could be merely postponing the onset of acute alcohol withdrawal.

Medical Professionals

Plus, hangovers tend to be more severe after drinking on an empty stomach. Because individuals are so different, it is difficult to predict how many drinks will cause a hangover. Any time people drink to intoxication, there is a chance they could have a hangover the next day. Alcohol poisoning is a serious result of drinking too much too quickly.

If knowing the risks of developing physical dependence and the dangers of withdrawal can deter excessive drinking, one might avoid the hangover altogether. In fact, some of the most severe symptoms of withdrawal can continue to develop as many as two or three days after the last drink. If you or someone you know is getting worse instead of better, it’s time to seek medical help immediately as the risk of seizures increases without treatment. Consider alternating a non-alcoholic drink with each alcoholic beverage. It will give your body more time to digest the alcohol, reducing hangover symptoms. According to a recent study, a person with type 1 diabetes will likely experience hypoglycemia after drinking alcohol.9 Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition characterized by low blood sugar levels.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Inpatient treatment programs provide intensive therapy and medical care in a residential setting. You’ll receive 24-hour care and support from medical professionals. As we get older, our body’s ability to process toxins slows down. As a result, you might be down for the count on less alcohol (and for longer) than before. The more dehydrated you are, the worse you’ll feel, and longer. There are several factors that influence how long a hangover lasts and how bad you feel.

• And depending on various factors, some symptoms can be worse than others in terms of severity and duration.
• Light-colored alcohols, such as vodka or white wine, have fewer congeners (hangover-causing toxins).
• The more a person drinks, the greater their chance of experiencing a hangover.
• Popular strategies such as cold showers and coffee drinking can briefly increase alertness.
• Some medications interfere with your body’s ability to properly metabolize alcohol.
• If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning — even if you don’t see the classic symptoms — get medical help right away.

A person can avoid a hangover if they drink a very small amount or if they abstain from alcohol use. There is no particular way to increase the speed at which a person detoxes from alcohol and recovers from a hangover. In this article, read about hangover duration, remedies, prevention, and when to consult a doctor. Read on to learn more about what congeners are, which drinks to avoid, tips for recovery, and more.

Is it Just a Bad Hangover or Something More Serious?

With a typical hangover, you should start to feel better within a few hours after eating something and drinking water. But, if you’re 12 hours out from your last drink and symptoms continue to get worse, it could mean you’re in withdrawal. More-serious symptoms from heavy drinking may be a sign of alcohol poisoning — a life-threatening emergency. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes deadly result of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex.

• As we get older, our body’s ability to process toxins slows down.
• However, research has not found a connection between electrolyte disruption and hangover symptom severity.
• In a 2010 study, researchers compared participants’ self-reported hangover severity after drinking bourbon or vodka.
• It can linger for several hours even after a person no longer has an elevated blood alcohol level.
• But there’s no easy way to know how much you can safely drink and still avoid a hangover.
• When ADH production is affected, you may experience a more frequent urge to urinate.

They provide a safe and supportive environment to share your experiences with others struggling with alcohol addiction. Gentle exercises are an excellent method to ease a terrible hangover because they will increase your alertness, and your body will release endorphins. These feel-good hormones can help alleviate some symptoms of a hangover.