Too much Alcohol – and a Hangover
Tip One – Drink Liquid
Not alcohol, but water, coffee, tea, sports drinks. The alcohol you drank causes you to dehydrate. You have to rehydrate and for that you need to be drinking- but not more alcohol. Coffee and tea have caffeine that will help the headache. Contrary to popular myth coffee and tea are NOT diuretics – you will get plenty of fluid from them.
You will need to keep drinking water throughout the day – because the liquid you drink will filter through your body in less than an hour. Think a cup of water every thirty minutes or so. You need to catch up and then you need to replenish.
Hair of the Dog: drinking more alcohol will not help you – it may delay the hangover effect, but it will make it worse.
Tip Two – Fat
Your liver will be engorged with fat, it is a byproduct of the alcohol. But you should consider eating some fatty foods- it does not add fat to the liver, but provides a good source of energy for you.
Tip Three – Sex
Try it – Doctor’s Orders.
Tip Four – Pain Medicine
If you are rehydrated, take something for the pain. Some say not to take Tylenol, based on the liver already working hard – but a single 325 mg tablet can help – more will not. Consider Ibuprofen, Advil – but more is not better.
Tip Five – Fructose
Fructose is usually not a friend to a person, but fructose is one of the feeders of the enzyme that converts alcohol to acetaldehyde and from that (which is bad) to a acetate and converted to good use by the body. Sports drinks have high levels of fructose, or putting honey in your coffee or your tea will help.
When You Or Your Friend Is In Trouble – Dial 911 – Or Seek Help
You may need help if you have too much nausea or vomiting to drink. Your friends may need help also – so don’t be afraid to take them to an Urgent Care or Emergency Room if they have:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
- Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
- Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Passing out (unconsciousness) and can’t be awakened
You don’t have to have all these signs and symptoms before seeking help. If you have a friend who is unconscious or can’t be awakened dial 911 because they may be at risk of alcohol poisoning which kills.
How Long Will It Last?
Once your alcohol level goes to zero, your body is still processing the byproducts for a good 24 hours.
