About Last Night…Hangover Causes and Cures

If alcohol is a part of your lifestyle, you may be familiar with the feeling of a hangover the next day—a sign of one drink too many the night before.

Excessive consumption of alcohol is without a doubt one of the main causes of a hangover, yet there can be other contributing factors which determine the severity of hangover symptoms. Hangovers begin after blood alcohol levels start to fall. Experts believe the worst hangover symptoms occur when levels reach zero and are the body’s way of reminding us about the hazards of drinking too much alcohol.

Hangover Symptoms:

The symptoms of a hangover affect the mind and the body. Physiological hangover symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, and shaking. Hangovers can also cause systolic blood pressure to increase along with heart rates and sweat glands overproducing. Some people become sensitive to light or sound and others suffer a spinning sensation known as vertigo.

Other hangover symptoms:

• Excessive thirst
• Mood swings
• Loss of concentration
• Decrease in cognitive function

Hangover Causes:

There are various causes of hangovers. Alcohol is metabolized into a compound known as acetaldehyde that can cause damage at the cellular and genomic levels. However, concentrations rarely get that high, so that’s not the complete explanation of what causes a hangover.

Since alcohol interferes with brain activity during sleep, a hangover may also be a form of sleep deprivation. Alcohol can also trigger migraines, so some people may think they have a hangover they may be suffering from an alcohol-induced migraine.

The root cause of a hangover appears to be “drinking to intoxication.” The amount of alcohol a person drinks is less important. Several studies suggest that light and moderate drinkers are more vulnerable to getting a hangover than heavy drinkers. At the same time, research shows that people with a family history of alcoholism have worse hangovers.

Hangover Cures:

As for hangover cures, everyone has their own personal preference or remedy they swear by. Some people reach for electrolyte-rich sports drinks in an effort to restore electrolyte imbalance caused by increased urination and fluid loss.

Other people swear by the age-old “hair of the dog,” which many medical experts advise against and say will only delay the symptoms of a hangover. Researchers say some people may end up with drinking problems because they drink in an effort to relieve hangover symptoms.

Drinking coffee or taking a shower also does not cure a hangover. Caffeine may not have any special anti-hangover powers, but as a stimulant, it could help with the grogginess. Coffee is a diuretic; therefore, it may exacerbate dehydration.

When it comes to alleviating a headache, it is important to recognize that the combination of alcohol and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be toxic to the liver.

How Nova Vita Wellness Centers Can Help

Nova Vita Wellness Centers offers a variety of intravenous (IV) vitamin therapies designed to rejuvenate and refresh the body from the inside out—including special formulations designed to cleanse the liver, rehydrate the body, or aid with symptoms of hangovers including headaches, nausea, dehydration, dizziness.

IV Vitamin Infusions:

HangOver Drip: As the name suggests, this infusion is specifically designed for people that may have had too much to drink the night before. This special formulation contains B-Complex vitamins for energy levels, cell metabolism, and brain function; Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) to aid with tissue repair, wound healing and boosting the immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory for headaches, pain and nausea.

Cleanse Drip: Excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on the liver, as it is the main organ involved in detoxification, acting as the body’s filter for blood coming from the digestive tract to the rest of the body. The Cleanse IV Therapy is specially designed to improve the liver’s ability to remove toxins by providing essential amino acids, vitamins and nutrients.

Hydrate Drip: If you are feeling slightly “not right” after a night of drinking yet don’t feel a full-blown hangover, this infusion is perfect as you may simply be dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, dry skin, dizziness, confusion, headaches, and an overall feeling of being unwell. The Hydrate drip gives instant relief of symptoms and immediately revives the body with an infusion of water, electrolytes, and essential nutrients. It works to restore your fluid balance, replenish important vitamins, and reduce the body’s acidity by aiding in the natural removal of common toxins.

To get back on track today with one of the infusions above or any of the dozen more we offer, schedule an appointment online today.

Ultimately, the only guaranteed remedy for a hangover is to avoid getting one by drinking in moderation or choosing not to drink. Moderate drinking is most accurately defined as 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women.