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Hangover
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SYMPTOMS

An Alcohol hangover is associated with a variety of Symptoms that may include dehydration, tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, irritability, sensitivity to light and noise and trouble sleeping.


CAUSES

Hangovers are multi-causal. Ethanol has a Dehydrating effect (such substances are known as Diuretic s), which causes headaches, dry mouth, and Lethargy . Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly. This triggers pain sensors on the outside surface of your brain which causes the headache. This can be mitigated by drinking plenty of Water during and after consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is also a metabolic poison, and its impact on the stomach lining probably accounts for nausea.

Another factor contributing to a hangover is what results from the breakdown of ethanol via two chemical reactions, aided by enzymes produced by the cells of the Liver . Ethanol is converted to Acetaldehyde by the Enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase , and then from acetaldehyde to Acetate by the enzyme Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase . Acetaldehyde and acetate are both mildly toxic, contributing to the hangover.

The two aforementioned reactions also require the conversion of NAD+ to NADH . With an excess of NADH, the Lactate Dehydrogenase reaction is driven to produce lactate from Pyruvate (the end product of glycolysis). This diverts pyruvate from other pathways. One of these pathways affected is Gluconeogenesis , thereby impairing the ability of the liver to supply glucose to tissues, especially the brain. Because glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose contributes to hangover symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbances, and decreased attention and concentration.

Finally there are various nervous effects. The removal of the depressive effects of alcohol in the brain probably account for the light and noise sensitivity.

In addition, it is thought that the presence of other alcohols (such as Methanol and Fusel Oil s), by-products of the Alcoholic Fermentation also called Congener s, exaggerates many of the symptoms; this probably accounts for the mitigation of the effects when distilled alcohol, particularly vodka, is consumed.

The amount of Congeners in the drink may also have an effect. Red wines have more congeners than white wines, and some people note less of a hangover with white wine.

Some people believe that Sugar (often found in sweet Cocktail s) worsens hangovers.

Nicotine poisoning can often worsen hangovers, as smokers tend to smoke much more than usual while under the influence of alcohol.

Genetics also plays a part, as some people seldom, if ever, suffer hangover symptoms no matter how much they drink.

The Psychosomatic nature of hangovers shouldn't be ignored either. If people expect a hangover, they tend to feel one.


FICTIONAL CURES

  • drinking coffee. This has no effect on your Blood_alcohol_content and is a Diuretic which will compound the headache caused by dehydration.

  • cabbage leaves or tomato juice

  • mixing in a tall glass, two raw eggs with pepper, Tabasco Sauce , and Gin . Although the Cysteine in the egg yolk may have a mild benefit, the pepper, tabasco, and gin will have a negative impact.

  • drinking more alcohol (see Hair Of The Dog ) a well liked, though misguided, remedy. If this remedy is appealing to you, you may want to consider that you have a problem

  • Coca Cola , otherwise known as "Black Aspirin" (popular in Australia), also "The Red Ambulance" (Ireland); the caffeine, bubbles and sugar can be easier to hold down than pure water. This is completely made up; all caffeinated drinks are diuretics and will compound the hangover.

  • taking a shower and oscillating between extreme cold and hot temperatures. Dangerous practice. This is about as effective as sticking your finger in an electric socket.

  • eating canned asparagus before going to bed, pupportedly a good cure thanks to the diuretic effects of asparagus. again, diuretics compound your problem.

  • Ginseng tea is given to a drunkard to relieve the effects of alcohol. this may be the practice, but there is no reason to believe ginseng will help.



CURES

Common folk medicine has a wide variety of hangover cures. A good hangover cure should replace essential nutrients lost by the body while counteracting the influence of residual poisons; very few cures do both at once.

Among the more common proposed cures are:
  • drinking a Sports Drink (not an Energy Drink ) such as Powerade or Gatorade , usually watered-down to rehydrate and replenish lost nutrients in the body. Powder supplements such as Ultima Replenisher contain a higher amount and better balance of electrolytes without high levels of sugar.

  • Pedialyte contains more electrolytes than most any Over-the-counter Substance . This will help you re-hydrate your body as quickly as possible.

  • drinking a large amount of water ''before'' going to bed, and during the night, for rehydration (a little water is much better than none)

  • eating as much food as you can hold down. your Pyloric Valve will shrink in response to the large amount of food you consume thereby reducing any further absorption of alcohol. a large meal is likely to contain nutrients to replenish your body and may also cause drowsiness which will help you sleep while your body repairs.

  • eating mineral-rich foods, like Pickle s or Canned Fish

  • drinking pickle juice, the solution in which cucumbers were pickled, in the morning (a staple hangover remedy in Poland)

  • eating anything substantial, especially before going to bed, to "soak up" the alcohol in the stomach (e.g. a pizza or sandwich)

  • orange juice, which is rich in Vitamin C

  • taking a vitamin B1 ( Thiamin ) supplement before going to bed

  • (instant) chicken or vegetable soup provides Salt , Protein s and Electrolyte s which help attenuate hangover symptoms

  • Irn Bru is commonly regarded as a remedy in the UK.

  • Cysteine , which is available as the over-the-counter supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is known to assist in processing acetaldehyde, best taken while already drinking and/or before going to bed. (Egg yolk is also rich in cysteine, and it is notable that many hangover folk remedies or morning-after breakfasts incorporate eggs.)

  • consumption of an Ulster Fry (popular in Northern Ireland), an Irish Breakfast or a Breakfast Roll , a meal that is an all day breakfast.

  • day/night cold and flu tablets

  • though illegal in many places, smoking marijuana is often used. This is related to the wake-n-bake.

  • taking a dose of ibuprofen before sleeping can reduce hangover effects dramatically, however this may increase the risk of stomach ulcers

    • In 2003 , a fad hangover cure was a Russian pill, sold in Russia as Antipokhmelin (Anti-Hangover), and marketed as RU-21 in the USA. It is also known as the KGB pill due to its supposed use by the KGB to allow spies to keep a clear head while drinking.


More recently, a 2004 clinical study suggested that taking Prickly Pear (''Opuntia ficus indica'') fruit extract several hours before drinking can significantly reduce certain hangover symptoms, including nausea. The authors theorize that the extract may work by suppressing the body's natural immune reaction to congeners.

In a review of the medical literature on hangover cures by researchers led by Max Pittler of the Peninsular Medical School at Exeter University , they reported in the 24 December 2005 issue of the '' British Medical Journal '' the following conclusion: "No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover. The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is to practice abstinence or moderation." {Link without Title}


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