Know… about hangovers
A hangover is one effect of drinking too much alcohol that may be familiar to many of us! Symptoms include a thumping headache, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and/or vomiting. But do you know why you end up feeling like this?
When the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces a chemical called acetaldehyde. This chemical is toxic to the body and can result in symptoms including sweating, nausea and vomiting. Its toxic effects may contribute to a hangover.
Alcoholic drinks also contain other active compounds called congeners, which are produced during the fermentation process and can worsen the symptoms of a hangover. Darker coloured drinks, such as whiskey, brandy and red wine have more congeners than lighter drinks such as vodka, gin and white wine.
Many people find it difficult to obtain a good night's sleep after a good night's drinking and may be fatigued/tired the next day. This is because alcohol disrupts the normal sleep pattern and even if you sleep for longer, the sleep may not be particularly “restful”. When you've been drinking, the brain is not able to enter the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep where it gets the rest it needs to feel rested and refreshed.
Obviously the best way to prevent a hangover is to drink less alcohol!
For some tips on how to manage your drinking click here.