Arielle Cruz
The spins, or severe dizziness, is a common adverse reaction to intoxication, often caused by drinking too much alcohol. It can also be caused by mixing alcohol with other drugs, such as cannabis. The condition causes a state of vertigo and nausea, resulting in an uncontrollable sense of spinning, even when one is not in motion. This is due to disturbances in the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and orientation. While the only way to truly get rid of the spins is to wait for your body to filter out the alcohol, there are several remedies that can help alleviate the spinning sensation.
What to do when you have the spins from alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Excessive alcohol consumption |
| Symptoms | Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, double vision, lightheadedness, vertigo, loss of balance |
| Immediate remedies | Lying down with one foot on the ground, providing visual stimulation, drinking water, walking on tiptoes, focusing on stable objects, deep breathing, drinking pear juice |
| Long-term remedies | Getting adequate sleep, taking OTC painkillers, drinking in moderation, eating before drinking, limiting dark drinks |
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What You'll Learn
Lie down with one foot on the floor
If you are experiencing the spins from alcohol, one way to alleviate the sensation is to lie down with one foot on the floor. This popular self-treatment method can help reduce the dizziness that is exacerbated when lying down with your eyes closed.
To do this, lie down on your bed, at the very edge, on your back. Move one leg so that your foot is resting fully on the floor. This may help you feel more grounded, and the spinning sensation should stop after a while.
While this method can help you feel less dizzy, it does not address the root cause of the spins, which is the presence of alcohol in your system. The spinning sensation will only go away completely once your body has metabolized the alcohol. In the meantime, you can try to distract yourself by watching a movie or playing a video game. These activities provide visual stimulation, which can help to counteract the spinning sensation by giving your brain something else to focus on.
In addition to lying down with one foot on the floor, you can also try other methods to reduce the spinning sensation. Focusing on your other senses, such as touch, smell, and hearing, can help to distract you from the spinning. For example, you can smell a strong scent like peppermint or lavender to activate your olfactory nerve. Slowing and deepening your breath can also help to relax you and bring more oxygen into your body, which may reduce the spins.
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Avoid self-induced vomiting
The spins, or "having the spins", is an adverse reaction to intoxication that causes a state of vertigo and nausea, making one feel as if they are "spinning out of control". This is caused by alcohol's disturbance of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and orientation.
While self-induced vomiting may seem like a quick fix to get rid of the toxins in your stomach, it can have serious consequences on your health. Firstly, it does not eliminate alcohol from your system. Instead, it can cause tears in your oesophagus and inflammation of the oesophageal lining, including chronic changes. Additionally, you risk partially digested food getting stuck in your respiratory tract and exacerbating symptoms like heartburn.
To avoid self-induced vomiting when you have the spins, here are some alternative strategies:
- Lie down on your bed, at the edge. Move one leg so that your foot is resting fully on the floor. This may help you feel more grounded and reduce the spinning sensation.
- Provide your brain with visual stimulation. Watch a movie or play a video game to distract yourself from the spinning sensation.
- Take a few deep breaths to bring more oxygen into your body and help reduce the spins. Focus on counting your breaths to further distract yourself from the spinning sensation.
- Rehydrate with water or cranberry juice, which contains electrolytes. Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes your body to lose fluids faster than usual, leading to dehydration. Rehydrating can help reduce dizziness.
- Eat a light meal with fatty foods like eggs and yogurt, as they take longer to digest and provide a more gradual release of energy. Bananas are also a good option, as they contain potassium and natural sugars that help your body rehydrate and boost energy levels.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep may help your body recover faster, and you may wake up feeling more refreshed.
Remember, the best way to avoid the spins is to monitor your alcohol intake, eat before drinking, and stay hydrated.
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Stimulate your vision
The spins, or severe dizziness, can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. This can happen when the alcohol in your blood reaches a certain point, changing the density of the fluid in the canals of your inner ear. This causes your brain to perceive that you're spinning, even if you're not moving.
To counteract this, you can try to stimulate your vision. This can help to distract you from the spinning sensation and reduce feelings of disorientation. Here are some ways to do this:
- Watch a movie or TV show: This can help to stimulate your brain and distract you from the spinning sensation.
- Focus on a fixed object: Try to focus on a stable object in your environment, such as a light fixture or a book. This can help to ground you and stop the spinning sensation.
- Play a video game: The visual stimulation from playing a video game can help to distract you from the spins.
- Do something creative: Try drawing, painting, or colouring. This can help to take your mind off the spinning and stimulate your vision.
- Look at photos: Try looking at photos on your phone or in a photo album. This can help to ground you and provide a visual distraction.
In addition to stimulating your vision, you can also try to focus on your other senses, such as touch, smell, and hearing. For example, you could smell a strong scent like peppermint or lavender to activate your olfactory nerve and distract you from the spinning sensation.
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Drink pear juice or water
The spins are an adverse reaction to intoxication, causing vertigo and nausea, and making one feel like they are spinning out of control. It is caused by alcohol's disturbance of the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance in the body. Alcohol sends abnormal impulses to the brain, causing the eyes to spin round to compensate.
Drinking pear juice or water can help prevent and alleviate the spins caused by alcohol consumption. Here are some ways in which they help:
Drinking Pear Juice
Drinking Korean pear or Asian pear juice is an effective way to prevent and alleviate hangover symptoms. Research suggests that consuming 7½ ounces of Korean pear juice before drinking alcohol helps lower blood alcohol levels and reduces the intensity of hangovers. The pear juice is believed to work with the body's chemistry to break down alcohol faster and curb the inflammation caused by excessive drinking. While this remedy is traditionally associated with Korean drinking practices, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world as well.
Drinking Water
Water is an essential component in preventing and alleviating the spins caused by alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and leads to dehydration. Drinking water helps combat dehydration and reduces the amount of alcohol entering the system, thereby lessening the intensity of the spins and potential hangover symptoms. It is recommended to alternate between drinking water and alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated and slow down alcohol consumption.
In summary, drinking pear juice or water can be beneficial in preventing and alleviating the spins caused by alcohol. Pear juice, especially Korean pear juice, has been found to lower blood alcohol levels and reduce hangover severity when consumed before drinking alcohol. Water helps combat dehydration caused by alcohol and slows down alcohol consumption, reducing the likelihood and intensity of the spins.
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Take a painkiller
The spins, a common adverse reaction to intoxication, can be a dizzying and nauseating experience. While it is not life-threatening, it can be an uncomfortable and disorienting sensation.
If you are experiencing the spins, taking an over-the-counter painkiller can help alleviate any headaches or discomfort. It is recommended to opt for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another suitable option. It is best to avoid aspirin, as it may upset your stomach, which could already be sensitive from drinking.
It is important to note that painkillers should not be combined with alcohol, as this can lead to adverse side effects and even be life-threatening. The combination can overwhelm your liver, impacting its ability to metabolize both substances effectively. This can result in a dangerous buildup of medication in your bloodstream, increasing the potency of the painkiller and the likelihood of side effects. Additionally, alcohol can enhance the sedative effects of painkillers, impair your judgment, and increase the risk of accidents. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from consuming alcohol while taking pain medication and always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
While painkillers can help manage any headaches or discomfort associated with the spins, it is important to remember that the only way to truly stop the spins is to allow your body to filter out the alcohol. This can be facilitated by drinking plenty of water, getting adequate sleep, and giving your body time to recover.
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Frequently asked questions
The spins, or severe dizziness, can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. This can happen when your blood alcohol level is fairly low. It is caused by disturbances in the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and orientation.
While the only way to really get rid of the spins is for your body to filter out all the alcohol in your system, there are things you can do to help the spinning feel less severe. Drink lots of water to help the alcohol leave your system. Focus on a fixed object, like a light fixture or a book, to ground yourself and stop the spinning. You can also try walking on tiptoes to minimize the spinning.
The best way to prevent the spins is to continuously monitor your alcohol intake and eat before drinking. Pace yourself and make sure you don't drink on an empty stomach. Eating foods high in fat and protein, such as meat, crackers and cheese, will slow down your body's absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
The spins can feel like you are moving when you are actually standing still. You may feel dizzy and lightheaded, and this can lead to nausea and vomiting. You may also experience double vision.
