I'm sure we all have been at the hardest point in our lives where we are blowing chunks into the toilet because we overestimated our tolerance. Since my 21st birthday was on October 28, I figured I should delve into the research on why hangovers happen and how to get rid of them seeing as I will more than likely have many in the future.
For those of you who can't relate A hangover is the experience of various unpleasant physiological and psychological effects that occur after consuming alcohol, such as fatigue, weakness, headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Hangover symptoms often begin when your blood alcohol content drops and is at or near zero. As stated by The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia Alcohol promotes diuresis by causing the pituitary gland to produce less of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin. Which means we actively become dehydrated after drinking any alcohol because we are now filtering more toxins in the kidneys as well and are trying to get rid of it.
The most compelling theory, at the moment, is that hangovers result from a buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic compound, in the body. As the body processes alcohol, acetaldehyde is the very first byproduct, and it's estimated to be between 10 and 30 times as toxic as alcohol itself. In controlled studies, it's been found to cause symptoms such as sweating, skin flushing, nausea and vomiting this experiment can be proven by Harvard health complications. There is also a strong correlation that's been proven in the The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia between high levels of cytokines which are —molecules that the immune system uses for signaling—and hangover symptoms (. Normally, the body might use cytokines to trigger a fever of inflammatory response to battle an infection, but it seems that excessive alcohol consumption can also provoke cytokine release, this was proven in Smithsonian magazine.
Popular opinions on prevention and care can be seen in Harvard Medical School Commentaries on Health they suggest hydrating during the drinking, and make sure to drink lots of electrolytes. Along with electrolytes a hefty meal is needed preferably carbs and greasy meals.
Hangover is the worst and should be taken more seriously to prevent them
When you are of legal age to do these activities, it is important to take care and know yourself well enough to see how much you can endure. Orrrr, you can absolutely wreck your stomach and push your limits, but that would lead to alcohol poisoning and be an overall unwise decision
Works Cited
Stromberg, J. (2013, December 31). Your complete guide to the science of hangovers. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/your-complete-guide-to-the-science-of-hangovers-180948074/
Harvard Health Publications (Ed.). (2019). Why do we get hangovers? In Harvard Medical School Commentaries on Health (1st ed.). Harvard Health Publications. https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NDY3OTkwNg==?aid=98655
Hangover. (2000). In R. M. Youngson, The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury. https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6MTU0OTU5Ng==?aid=98655
I totally agree that hangovers are the absolute worst! I did find it interesting what you said how acetaldehyde is the main culprit to those really bad hangovers as it is the first byproduct and more toxic than alcohol itself. But, there may be some science to the kind of drinks you are having that are leading to that hangover. I read that Congeners, a byproduct of individual alcohol preps which are primarily found in brandy, wine, tequila, and other dark liquors increase the frequency and severity of a hangover. But clear liquors such as rum, vodka, and gin tend to cause hangover less frequently. Obviously, we know alcohol is not the best for us in general, but maybe it could slightly less worse if we avoid drinks that contain congeners. Don’t get me wrong, a drink every now and then may be nice but I think following the aftercare suggestions will help a lot for those times that you have a bit too much fun.
ReplyDeleteWiese, J. G., Shlipak, M. G., & Browner, W. S. (2000). The alcohol hangover. Annals of internal medicine, 132(11), 897–902. https://doi-org.dml.regis.edu/10.7326/0003-4819-132-11-200006060-00008
So true. Alcohol does not get processed faster by doing some of the things we commonly think to help. Like walking, sleeping, or taking a shower may help us wake up but it does not help us sober up because the alcohol still has to be metabolized at the pace the body can metabolize it. So, make sure that you do not drink too much and harm your body with drinking too much too often. In my experience, I have to stop drinking after two drinks or my body hates me. And like you said electrolytes with water is key.
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