Hangover, a term used as a synonym for hangover, acute alcoholism or intoxication, is the uncomfortable companion of many loyal or occasional drinkers. It is essentially a set of disorders, in many ways unpleasant, associated with the consumption of an excessive dose of alcohol.
The severity of the hangover is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol ingested and varies based on numerous factors, such as sex (the most exposed is female), genetic predisposition, drinking habits and the simultaneous intake of food, drugs or drugs .
Whatever the cause, the DIY tips and remedies are varied and numerous, but only a few are really effective; on the other hand, many others do not have the desired effect and may even aggravate the problem.
The first and most banal recommendation is to drink a lot of water, in order to rehydrate the body and restore the fluids lost due to alcohol; at the same time, a good hydration favors the removal of a small amount of ethanol through urine and sweat (which together with the breath represent the auxiliary ways to liver detoxification).
Soft drinks are very useful also for preventive purposes; if a double quantity of water is ordered together with a drink, on the one hand less alcohol will be swallowed and on the other the after-effects of a possible hangover will be faded; similarly, to improve the situation upon waking up, it is important to sip a couple of glasses of water just before going to sleep.
As soon as you get up, a simple breakfast is recommended, mainly based on fruit. The hangover, in fact, has weakened the entire body and especially the liver and stomach. Metabolic problems are not lacking: blood glucose levels are low, free radicals are depopulated, blood is more acid and some B vitamins have been spent in detoxifying ethanol. No hard-to-digest food, therefore, but a healthy and healthy breakfast of fruit, with a few slices of bread, jam and honey.
If possible, no painkillers, because many of them have gastric (NSAID) and liver (nimesulide, paracetamol) side effects.
Although it might seem obvious, better to point out that consumption of a small amount of alcohol upon awakening, as if it were a homeopathic remedy, certainly does not alleviate the symptoms of the hangover, on the contrary ...
Do not forget that acute alcohol causes vasodilation, increasing the dispersion of body heat, therefore hypothermia. Therefore, even when you experience hot flashes and sweat from the forehead, it is good to cover yourself and avoid going out to sing bare-chested in the snow!
No cola and coffee drinks to alleviate hangover symptoms: they stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, irritating the already tested mucous membrane of the stomach, and favor diuresis, aggravating body dehydration (which increases when you vomit).
Precious help can also be sought in artichoke and milk thistle extracts, thanks to their silymarin content. The latter, together with the vitamins B and the amino acid cysteine (precursor of glutathione), is a common ingredient of the so-called "sober up pills", literally "pills to get rid of the hangover", much publicized on the internet.
A moisturizer, along with a few slices of cucumber on the eyes, can give the face a fresher and more rested appearance.
If the hangover is not particularly serious, a light physical activity can help: be careful, however, the reflexes will certainly be less ready, the risk of greater dehydration and impaired physical efficiency; never fasting sport, since alcohol causes hypoglycemia and inhibits gluconeogenesis. Better not to ask too much of the body and limit yourself to a relaxing walk.
The body takes about 7 hours to dispose of 1/2 liter of wine or 5 small glasses of super alcoholic beverages. The elimination of ethanol is mainly entrusted to the liver (92% - 98%), to the lungs (1.6% -6%) and to a lesser extent to sweat, tears, breast milk and faeces (0.5 -4%).
In conclusion, there are no miraculous remedies for a hangover and this for a simple reason: the hangover will go away only when the liver has metabolized all the alcohol present in the blood. Since the speed of liver detoxification is almost constant (around 3-6, maximum 8 grams / hour), the best weapon remains prevention: drink little, responsibly and never on an empty stomach.
