The most common cause of hangover headaches is mild acute alcohol poisoning. When you drink excessively, you may experience headaches, heaviness in the head, and nausea the next morning. This is because the alcohol has not been fully metabolized and still remains in your body.
Get enough sleep
Experts agree that getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to deal with hangovers. "Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle," says Dr. Simon. "Even if you sleep for a long time, it may not be high-quality sleep. If possible, try to sleep in a bit longer the next morning, as this can effectively alleviate the symptoms of hangover headaches."
Drink plenty of water
Alcohol can cause dehydration, which is no secret to those who wake up feeling thirsty the next morning. You can drink juice, sports drinks, etc., but water is the best option.
Use ice packs
Dr. Alan Lebovitz, director of the New England Headache Center in Stamford, Connecticut, and a nutritionist, suggests, "Applying an ice pack to the forehead and temples, or to the back of the neck, can help relieve the symptoms of hangover headaches."
Have a warm honey water
Honey contains fructose, which is not found in most fruits. It can promote the synthesis and absorption of alcohol. It is beneficial for quickly sobering up and eliminating the headache after drinking. For those who have a history of hangover headaches, it is recommended to take 50 grams of honey water before and after drinking.
Have a warm soy milk for breakfast
If you feel discomfort in your stomach, you can take some stomach medicine and drink water after the stomach acid has subsided. For breakfast the next day, you can choose warm drinks like soy milk, milk, etc. This can effectively sober up and relieve hangover headaches.
Apply mentholated spirits
Sprinkle a few drops of mentholated spirits on a hot towel and gently rub the chest, elbows, temples, and other areas of the intoxicated person. This can significantly reduce intoxication and alleviate head pain.
Massage therapy
The patient should sit upright and use the fingertips of both hands to massage and knead the entire head, especially the hair part, as if rubbing the hairline. When severe pain or deep pain in the head occurs, stimulate it properly, and the pain will be relieved.
Take a bath or soak in hot water
Taking a bath or soaking in hot water can promote blood circulation and help detoxify the body by sweating out alcohol. Therefore, friends who wake up with hangover headaches in the morning can use this method to effectively alleviate the headache.
Note: People with high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases should be cautious about taking a bath after drinking to avoid the risk of stroke. It is advisable to rest for a while first.
Common misconceptions about preventing hangovers
Taking painkillers before bed can prevent hangovers?
Over-the-counter painkillers take about 4 hours to reach their maximum effect. However, by the time you wake up, their effectiveness has mostly worn off. The best approach is to take painkillers after waking up, but avoid taking medications like Tylenol, as they can harm your liver.
Can coffee treat hangovers?
Drinking a large amount of coffee can worsen dehydration and exacerbate hangover symptoms. After getting drunk, it is best to avoid any caffeinated beverages. Instead, drink water or sports drinks to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes.
Drinking alcohol the next morning after getting drunk can treat hangovers?
If you continue to drink alcohol the next morning after getting drunk, it will not treat the hangover. It will only delay the onset of hangover symptoms and make them worse when they do occur. Hangover symptoms are most severe when the alcohol in your blood drops to zero.
