Hangover
Hangover (or alcohol hangover) refers to the negative physical and mental symptoms experienced after a single episode of alcohol consumption. Common hangover symptoms include cognitive impairments and mood alterations, and there appears to be no reliable hangover cure other than time.
Hangover falls under theOthercategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
A hangover, or veisalgia, is characterized by negative mental and physical symptoms that arise as blood alcohol levels approach zero after alcohol consumption. the symptoms vary among individuals and can impair daily functioning.
Hangovers can cause more than 47 different symptoms; the common ones include fatigue, thirst, headache, and concentration issues. Physical signs may involve rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and sleep disturbances, among others.
Hangover diagnosis currently relies on subjective symptom reporting using tools like the Hangover Symptom Scale, Acute Hangover Scale and Alcohol Hangover Severity Scale. Some research suggests that a single-item score may more effectively diagnose hangover and gauge its severity.
The best way to prevent a hangover is to moderate alcohol intake, and time is the main remedy. Potential treatments include tolfenamic acid, hydration, snacks, pain relievers, and a combination of naproxen and fexofenadine, though evidence for their effectiveness varies.
Evidence of very low quality suggests that some supplements — including clove extract, pyritinol, Hovenia dulcis fruit extract, L-cysteine, red ginseng, and Korean pear juice — may reduce hangover symptoms.
Eating high-energy meals before or during drinking alcohol can reduce blood alcohol concentration and potentially lessen hangover severity, and the intake of vitamin B3 and zinc has been linked to lower hangover severity.
Recent treatments for hangover have focused on reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by alcohol, but evidence on their effectiveness is limited. Some research suggests that simple carbohydrates or vitamin B6 may help with cognitive symptoms and overall hangover severity.
Hangovers are primarily caused by the direct effects of alcohol on the production of reactive oxygen species, which lead to oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body. Other contributing factors include dehydration, changes in neurotransmitters, sleep disturbances, and hormonal and electrolyte alterations.
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