The Hangover Cure

New Year 's celebrationIt’s that time of year again, when friends and loved ones pop out the bubbly and ring in the new year with a toast…or five. The next morning, many are sleeping in from that dreaded illness  — the hangover.

The science of preventing or curing the alcohol hangover is more of an educated guess, because the process of  the hangover is not singular but a multiple set of processes happening to your body at once, according to CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus. The best way known to man to prevent the hangover is not to drink or to consume moderate amounts of alcohol. But there are some things to know about alcohol in the body to make the first day of 2014 a little better.

When alcohol is consumed, it is broken down through the liver into acetaldehyde. When too much acetaldehyde builds up in the system, one may start to not feel so good, i.e, nausea and headache occur. Drinkers  may also attain a “flushed” appearance. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning frequent urination could cause dehydration which can lead to dizziness, dry mouth and thirst (hence a desire to drink more alcohol?); it’s also a depressant on the nervous system. After awhile one may feel tired or lethargic.

Some drinks are worse than others; dark liquors like Scotch or Bourbon contain congeners. “Congeners are something that’s in liquors — especially the colored ones,” said Dr. Agus on “CBS This Morning”. “So, you have more of a chance of a hangover with the colored liquors. For example, bourbon and scotch are worse than vodka. Red wine, a little bit worse than white.” Congeners are more chemicals in alcoholic beverages that are broken down in the body into more chemicals like acetaldehyde or formaldehyde which can disturb blood sugar levels, dehydration, and other symptoms worsening the hangover effect.

Some tips to a better morning:

Stay hydrated

For every alcoholic drink, swap in a glass of water or coconut water. Drink water before going to the clubs too.

Aspirin

According to ABC News, aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties may help combat some of the aches and pains that come with the morning after. Thus, make sure the drug is ibuprofen or aspirin. Tylenol, whose drug name is acetaminophen, is too harsh on the liver and should not be mixed with alcohol.

Break bread before you drink

Some Mediterranean cultures will have a teaspoon of olive oil before a night of heavy drinking, according to research scientist Colin Wilson at Water Wellpoint. He told The Independent in 2010, that fat slows alcohol absorption. This does not mean to eat only fried food, but a simple meal beforehand would help.

Designate a driver

The only thing worse than waking up with blinding headache, is waking up in the morgue.

S.C. Rhyne is a blogger and novelist in New York City. Follow the author on twitter @ReporterandGirl or on Facebook and visit her website at www.SCRhyne.com

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