How to Treat a Hangover

Is the sun a little too bright and the neighbors a little too loud after last night's party? A hangover is a less than welcome return to reality after an evening of fun and celebration. Here are some tips for getting through the worst of a hangover.

How to treat a hangover
The best cure for a hangover is prevention. If you have not started drinking yet and are just planning ahead, read the article How to Prevent a Hangover. You might have a much better morning tomorrow if you do.

If you are already in pain, here are some ways to find relief:

Drink water or a sports drink - Dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover. Alcohol causes the body to lose fluids and disrupts the balance of electrolytes. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks to replenish what you have lost.

Avoid caffeine - While reaching for a cup of black coffee may sound like a good way to get through the morning, it may actually make things worse. Caffeine is a diuretic and will only increase dehydration.

Eat fruit - Fruit is high in vitamins and water, both of which are needed when recovering from a night of drinking. The vitamin C in citrus fruits will give an extra boost of energy. Bananas will help replenish your potassium, as will kiwi fruit. If your stomach does not feel up to eating, drink some fruit juice instead.

Take a multivitamin - Alcohol depletes several key nutrients in the body. Taking a multivitamin, or at least some vitamin C, will help increase energy and strengthen the immune system.

Ginger - Flat ginger ale or some warm (not hot) ginger tea can help ease nausea. Add a little honey to the tea to soothe a dry throat as you drink.

Eat light - Do not overload your system until you feel better. Try some plain toast in addition to the fruit mentioned above. Eggs are an excellent post-party breakfast, as they contain cysteine, a substance that breaks down hangover-causing toxins in the liver.

Over-the-counter pain pills - Reduce the pain and inflammation of a hangover by taking OTC pain medicines that do not contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Both alcohol and acetaminophen affect the liver. Using the two together can lead to liver damage. Stick with aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil).

Sleep - Go back to sleep for as long as possible. Alcohol disrupts natural sleep patterns, which means you may not have had the sort of sleep the body needs to recuperate fully from the previous night.