Arielle Cruz
Feeling unwell after consuming alcohol could be a sign of a hangover, alcohol intolerance, or even alcohol poisoning. It is important to distinguish between these conditions as they vary in severity and require different treatments. For example, alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention, whereas a hangover will resolve on its own with time. To feel better after drinking alcohol, it is recommended to stay hydrated, eat bland food, and get plenty of rest. Additionally, over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate symptoms, but caution should be exercised when combining them with alcohol. While there is no scientific cure for a hangover, some people find that sports drinks or intravenous (IV) treatments help with electrolyte imbalances caused by alcohol consumption.
Feeling better after being sick from alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eat before drinking | Eat well (pasta, rice, bread) before drinking alcohol |
| Drink quality alcohol | Drink better quality alcohol to avoid additives in cheap liquor |
| Drink water | Have some water between alcoholic drinks |
| Avoid strong winds | Avoid being outside with strong winds while drinking |
| Avoid mixing drinks | Stick to one kind of drink |
| Drink less | Drink less alcohol, e.g. one alcohol, one soft drink |
| Drink slowly | Don't rush drinking |
| Eat after drinking | Eat something greasy like a burger or kebab after drinking |
| Rest | Get plenty of rest |
| Take medication | Take over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen |
| Rehydrate | Drink water or sports drinks to rehydrate |
| Electrolytes | Drink Gatorade or eat food with electrolytes like spinach |
| Sugar | Drink something sugary like Lucozade |
| Shower | Take a shower to feel better |
| Coffee | Drink a cup of coffee in the fresh air |
| Avoid hair of the dog | Avoid drinking alcohol the morning after |
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What You'll Learn
Eat and drink before and after alcohol consumption
Eating and drinking before and after alcohol consumption can significantly impact how you feel during and after drinking. Here are some tips to help you feel better:
Before Alcohol Consumption:
- Eat a nutritious meal: Consuming food before drinking helps slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. This means you're less likely to get intoxicated quickly, giving your body more time to process the alcohol. Opt for foods that contain a mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. For example, pasta, rice, and bread can help you feel fuller and prevent overindulgence.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a diuretic, which increases urination and can lead to dehydration. Staying hydrated helps minimize the effects of alcohol and prevents dehydration-related issues such as fatigue, dizziness, and confusion.
- Choose antioxidant-rich foods: Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, beets, and asparagus, may protect your cells against alcohol-induced damage. Berries, in particular, can increase levels of antioxidants in the liver, which is crucial since alcohol is broken down in the liver.
- Maintain electrolyte balance: Alcohol consumption can deplete electrolytes, so eating foods rich in potassium, such as melons and avocados, can help maintain electrolyte balance and minimize the negative effects of alcohol.
After Alcohol Consumption:
- Eat a nutritious meal: Alcohol can deplete certain nutrients, including vitamins B and C, as well as minerals like magnesium and zinc. Eating a nutritious meal after drinking can help replenish these lost nutrients and support your body's recovery process.
- Stabilize blood sugar: If you haven't eaten much before drinking, it's important to eat afterward to stabilize your blood sugar levels. This can prevent a sudden drop in blood sugar, reducing symptoms like dizziness and fatigue.
- Drink clear liquids: If you're feeling nauseous or are vomiting, drinking small sips of clear liquids, such as water or Gatorade, can help prevent dehydration and provide necessary electrolytes.
- Get rest: Allow your body to rest and recover. Sleep can help you feel better, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen can alleviate any headaches or pain.
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Avoid cheap liquor and mixing drinks
While mixing drinks or consuming cheap liquor may not be inherently dangerous, there are several reasons why you should avoid doing so if you want to feel better after being sick from alcohol.
Firstly, consuming cheap liquor can lead to a more severe hangover the next day. Cheap liquor often contains additives that can make you feel worse. It tends to have harsh alcoholic notes and an unpleasantly astringent bite that can ruin your drink and your overall drinking experience. Even when mixed with other beverages, the poor quality of cheap liquor can still be noticeable and negatively impact the taste of your drink.
Additionally, mixing different types of alcohol can increase the risk of nausea and a hangover the next day. While there is no scientific evidence that mixing drinks directly compounds their effects, it can impair your judgment and lead to an underestimation of your alcohol consumption. As a result, you may end up drinking more than intended, which can contribute to a heavier hangover.
To mitigate these issues, it is advisable to stick to one type of drink and choose mid-range or moderately priced liquors for mixing. These options strike a balance between quality and affordability, reducing the likelihood of experiencing negative side effects without breaking the bank.
Remember, the key to feeling better after being sick from alcohol is to listen to your body, stay hydrated, rest, and take over-the-counter medication if needed to alleviate symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
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Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial when drinking alcohol, both to prevent alcohol poisoning and to alleviate hangover symptoms. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine, causing the body to lose water and electrolytes more rapidly. This can lead to dehydration, which is characterised by symptoms such as thirst, dizziness, fatigue, and headache.
To stay hydrated, it is recommended to drink a glass of water or a non-alcoholic beverage after each alcoholic drink. This helps to space out the alcoholic drinks and ensure you are getting enough fluids. It is also beneficial to drink water before going to bed and upon waking up, as alcohol can disrupt your sleep and further dehydrate you. If you are struggling to keep water down, sucking on ice cubes or freezing sports drinks or electrolytes into ice cubes and slowly sucking on them can be a good alternative.
In addition to drinking water, eating foods with high water content can also help you stay hydrated. Examples of hydrating foods include watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, celery, yogurt, and soups. These foods not only provide water but also essential electrolytes and nutrients that can help your body recover from the effects of alcohol.
It is important to note that while staying hydrated is crucial, it is just one aspect of responsible drinking. Drinking in moderation, pacing yourself, and being mindful of your body's limits are also important to prevent alcohol-related health issues.
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Get plenty of rest
Feeling unwell after drinking alcohol is a common occurrence, and getting plenty of rest is one of the best ways to help your body recover. Alcohol is a depressant, slowing down the body's systems and relaxing a person. However, this can lead to a hangover, which includes symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and nausea. Resting allows your body to recover from the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism and gives your liver time to process the alcohol.
It is important to listen to your body and take it easy after drinking in excess. This means getting plenty of sleep and resting throughout the day. If you are experiencing a hangover, sleeping it off can be one of the best remedies. While sleeping, your body has time to heal irritated tissue and restore immune function.
In addition to resting, staying hydrated is crucial. Alcohol can dehydrate the body, so drinking water or clear liquids will help prevent dehydration and flush out toxins. It is recommended to drink water after every alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated and reduce the risk of a hangover.
If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, it is important to let it happen naturally. Your body is trying to rid itself of toxins, and vomiting can be protective against the toxic effects of alcohol. By getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated, you can help your body recover from the effects of alcohol and reduce the severity of a hangover.
It is worth noting that severe illness or prolonged vomiting after drinking alcohol could be a sign of alcohol poisoning, which requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include a loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers
While over-the-counter pain relievers can help with nausea, vomiting, and other hangover symptoms, it is important to exercise caution when taking them in conjunction with alcohol. Mixing over-the-counter painkillers with alcohol can lead to serious side effects such as ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver damage, and kidney damage. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and alcohol, for instance, can both cause liver damage, and their combined use increases this risk. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and aspirin are also associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, and combining them with alcohol further increases this risk.
If you decide to take an over-the-counter pain reliever after drinking alcohol, it is recommended to stick to NSAIDs such as aspirin (Bayer) and ibuprofen (Advil). These medications can help alleviate headaches and other pain-related symptoms associated with a hangover. However, it is important to take them with small bites of food to prevent stomach upset and irritation of the stomach lining, which can lead to a gastric or intestinal perforation. It is also crucial to follow the recommended dosage and not exceed it.
Occasional use of painkillers with a small amount of alcohol might be safe. However, regular consumption of both together is dangerous. If you are considering taking painkillers after drinking alcohol, it is advisable to opt for hydration and electrolyte solutions instead, as alcohol can lead to dehydration. Drinking water and consuming electrolytes can help treat a hangover without the potential risks associated with mixing alcohol and painkillers.
Additionally, it is important to be mindful of your drinking habits and practice moderation. According to Dr. Lembke, "if you have had enough that you have a hangover, you have had too much." The general guideline for safe alcohol consumption is no more than seven drinks per week and no more than three drinks on any one occasion.
Remember, while over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief from hangover symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause, which is excessive alcohol consumption. It is always advisable to drink in moderation, stay hydrated, and practice healthy habits to avoid the negative consequences of alcohol consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
First, it's important to determine whether you are experiencing a hangover or alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that occurs when you drink too much too fast. If you or someone else is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call your local emergency services immediately. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include depressed breathing, a loss of consciousness, and vomiting while drinking or shortly after.
If you are experiencing a hangover, there are several things you can do to feel better:
- Stay hydrated by drinking water or an electrolyte-rich sports drink
- Get plenty of rest
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen
- Eat small amounts of bland food like crackers and toast
- Avoid caffeine, as it can further dehydrate you
There are several things you can do to prevent getting sick from drinking alcohol in the future:
- Eat a meal before drinking, and avoid drinking on an empty stomach
- Drink water in between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated
- Avoid drinking games and binge drinking, which can lead to alcohol poisoning
- Avoid mixing alcohol with medications, especially opioids, sedative hypnotics, and antihistamines
- If you think you may have an alcohol intolerance, consult a doctor to determine if you are drinking safely
Signs of alcohol intolerance include facial flushing, skin issues, and digestive issues. Alcohol intolerance occurs when someone's body lacks the enzymes to properly digest alcohol, and it is usually genetic. If you have a serious reaction to alcohol, consult a doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.
