Handicapped by a Hangover at Your Age?

Getting my drink on. Back in my younger days, or three years ago, it used to be about living through the night. But now, as age and the well-intended pressures of this health conscious world, begin to bear down, drinking, which once was only accompanied by a good time, now is frequently interrupted by a looming, ominous, black cloud suspended over my libation.

On nights, which turn into occasional excess, I am typically forced to pay a higher price, both socially and physically. However, now a hangover is not the only concern I have to face. Excessive drinking can lead to unhealthy weight gain, flabby parts that lessen my chances of sex with a real live girl and, most dodgy, future liver problems. There are ways that one can manage a drinking lifestyle with that of a healthy man; you just need to know what your limits are.

Alcohol is a sneaky little fellow, inasmuch as it tends to have one overwhelming effect on a person, which gets all the press. In spite of this, alcohol actually packs with it several other odd little tricks that folks tend to overlook, due to the often-incendiary nature of overt drunkenness. For one thing, it's not entirely alcohol's fault. In fact, it isn't alcohol at all, but rather what your body turns it into, once it has made its grand entrance, which is, acetaldehyde. This is the main chemical that infests your brain, makes you invincible, causes your singing voice to sound awesome, and allows you to think going home with the fat friend is a great idea. But it also sponges minerals; effectively hampering the already questionable control you have over your own body. Furthermore, this is also the guy who puts your head in the proverbial vice, sucks all the spit out of your mouth like a psychotic dentist and drops your blood sugar, making you surly and in need of a 'happy meal.'

Sadly, the older you get, the amount of pain you endure, the next day, increases because your body's use of enzymes to process the alcohol diminishes. So, you're going to have to rely on your smarts to thwart the onset of a hangover, prior to and, in some cases, after you consume alcohol, especially in excess.

Planning ahead, instead of going full-bore during your night on the town, will heap generous rewards upon you, in the morning. Decide what and how much you're going to drink, before you get out, and then stick to that plan. Beer, it's probably the social drinker's beverage of choice. It's sparkly, tastes great and comes in a multitude of varieties, which can make it hard to adhere to just one, especially if, like me, you love beer. Once in a while, when you have the opportunity to pause and enjoy the flavors this wonderful ambrosia brings to your palette, you should splurge and treat yourself to the good stuff. Typically, I choose to do this when I'm at a fine restaurant, with an equally fine woman or my friends and decide to match my beer choice with my meal.

When I'm out and about, I typically look for something with a lower alcohol content or a lower carb, light beer. Sure, there's Budweiser Select and Michelob Ultra, but while they may help with the carb count, they don't exactly enlighten when it comes to flavor. Instead, try Heineken Light, which surprisingly retains much of its un-lightened counterpart's signature taste. Also, there's Beck's Premium; from Germany comes one of the lowest calorie beers on the market that while tasting a little watered down, still outshines many of the domestic varieties. Be smart and skip New Belgium's Skinny Dip. Like much of what New Belgium is producing these days, it tastes like a hippy bathed in it, before it was bottled. Sure, it boasts a low calorie count, but that won't matter, you'll chug anything the bar is offering just to get the rancid taste from your mouth. Stick to the imports, those fellows know what they're doing.

If you're not going to go the light route, then I suggest you eat, heartily, but healthfully, before you go out. This way, you'll be too full to not only drink too many heavy beers or what have you, but also, the mush in your gut will provide a buffer between your blood and the alcohol you're pouring down your gullet. If you don't have the chance to get a meal in, before you head out, then eat between drinks. Fatty foods, high in protein like meat, cheese, and nuts (hey, don't bars put out bowls of these?) will equalize the carbohydrates you're taking in and they will absorb more of the alcohol.

Regardless the precautions you take, prior to a night out, trouble, in the form of excess, probably will occur. The next day, nursing a hangover can be an arduous process; one filled with headaches, nausea and the need for a little hair of the dog. But, actually, the next day, your best bet is really to choose a balanced, lighter diet and to try your best to take it easy. Plan your late night around a weekend where you don't have a lot to do the next day. If you're going to be raising a barn, at the crack of dawn, Saturday, then it might be in your best interest to hit the sheets early. However, if your just doing a bit of light yard work, or popping in at The Home Depot, then you'll be alright. Your worst alternative, other than more alcohol is to follow what classically has been thought of as the hangover cure. A steaming pot of coffee and some fried pig flesh, while considered a great way to soak up that left over pint, still screaming through your bloodstream, it's actually going to just make you feel worse. Try getting a lot of water; your headache is most likely caused by a mild case of dehydration. Eat some fruits and whole-wheat toast for breakfast. Later in the day start hitting some Gatorade and get some of those minerals back into your body. Also, limit your stress, sleep in and, in the afternoon chill on the porch and get some fresh air.

Alcohol is best drunk in moderation, a lesson that sounds great on paper, but not as great as another round. Taking in too much is common, but shouldn't be a commitment. Some wine with dinner or a good book before bedtime, not a bad idea; two six-packs before the game, every Sunday, that's a problem. Pace yourself and most importantly, enjoy yourself while drinking. Delaying your pleasure, for a few days, until the time is right, will bring back that enjoyment, the intangible feeling of elation when you can finally kick back and take pleasure in a few.