Hangovers can be a real pain in the head

You went to a party last night and drank too much. You had a beer, tried the eggnog, tasted the hot buttered rum, sampled the great merlot, then sipped a brandy or two and the next thing you knew you had a buzz buzzing in your head and hopefully gave up the car keys.

This morning your mouth is dry, your head is pounding and your tummy is doing the Twist and Shout pretty much like you were last night, but, brother, did you bring in the New Year or what?

Everyone metabolizes alcohol differently. Drunk for a woman might be three to five drinks and for a man over five or six will do it. A drink is defined as 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits.

We know what makes us drunk, but what causes this dreadful hangover?

Let me explain. Alcohol stimulates your body to produce more urine. Increased urination contributes to dehydration. Now that you’re thirsty you drink more. Another cocktail, anyone?

Alcohol triggers an inflammatory response from your immune system resulting in memory loss, irritability, decreased appetite and inability to concentrate. It also irritates the lining of the stomach causing abdominal pain and the need to worship the porcelain goddess all night. Then, it can cause your blood vessels to expand which gives you the headache.

Drinking will make you sleepy, but it also impairs your ability to sleep soundly so even after the common eight hours you’ll feel sluggish and weary. But really, it was worth it, wasn’t it?

Some people say that drinking light colored drinks helps prevent hangovers. I know, now we tell you, and to some extent it’s true.

Alcoholic beverages contain congeners that give the booze flavor. The more the congeners the darker the stuff, like dark beer, bourbon, scotch, red wine, etc. However, if you think drinking gin or vodka will prevent a hangover, think again.

OK, enough of the science. What should you do now the damage is done? Gulp, gulp that water down. The more the better. Start now and don’t stop all day. If your tummy can handle it drink fruit juice as well because it will help replenish vitamins you’ve lost.

Forget about the “hair of the dog.” That Bloody Mary will only postpone the inevitable. Or cause cirrhosis of the liver, a subject for another day.

Hard as it may be, stay away from caffeinated beverages. Although a weak cup of coffee would probably be okay, remember that caffeine will continue to dehydrate you and work as a diuretic.

Eat something. Not that greasy fry up you’re hankering, but bland food that will settle your stomach. Clear soups will help replace salt and potassium. Anything that contains fructose, such as honey or jam will help your body burn off the alcohol.

There’s no proof that drinking pickle juice, eating sauerkraut or canned fish will help, but if your stomach can handle it the canned fish, at least, is full of minerals.

Take an aspirin. It will help the headache. But don’t take more than a couple of them as aspirin can irritate your stomach. If you’re a woman who drinks more than one drink a day or man who drinks more than two don’t take acetaminophen (Tylenol) as it can damage your liver.

If possible, go back to bed. Getting plenty of sleep will alleviate the symptoms. Then when you get up do about 30 minutes of strenuous exercise to work up a good sweat.

By Thursday you should be feeling your old self again. If you’re not, contact your medical provider. The revelry is now behind you, but a very happy and healthy new year is in your future, or at least I certainly hope it is.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board Advisory Committee. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com or 264-4029. Source: mayoclinic.com.