How to Cure a Hangover- Revised By Lexie Aebi

How to Cure a Hangover

Curing a hangover is an art many college students must master. At first it’s a little tricky, but eventually you will become a pro. There are a few simple guidelines that will enable this process to become quick and relatively painless.
The best way to cure a hangover is to avoid one altogether. This is possible by following every alcoholic beverage with a nonalcoholic beverage. Eating a substantial meal will also help because you won’t be drinking on an empty stomach. This will prolong the time before you become intoxicated.
However, these precautions are not always easy with the college lifestyle. At most party’s beer is the only drink available. If you want something nonalcoholic, you will have to bring it yourself.
At the bars, drinks are expensive. Most college kids don’t want to waste their money on a drink without alcohol, and many bartenders don’t waste time serving nonalcoholic drinks because they are inexpensive and often they do not receive tips on nonalcoholic beverages. According to Lara Burley, senior at Stephen F. Austin State University, “It is hard to get a bartender’s attention unless you are drinking plenty of expensive drinks. Good tips don’t hurt either.”
Another good idea to avoid hangovers is to steer clear of especially sugary drinks. The sugar will enhance the hangover in the morning. Also, try to stick to one type of alcohol. If you switch from beer, to margaritas, to wine, to whiskey and back again, you will have major regrets in the morning. Becky Hove, a student at North Central Texas College, said, “I mostly stick to beer because liquor makes me puke. And I love playing beer pong.”
The most common symptoms of a hangover are feelings of nausea, body aches and extreme drowsiness. According to www.DrinkFocus.com, “A hangover is nature's way of warning us that we're harming our body.”
After a long night of drinking, the first thing to do is drink plenty of water. A hangover is a form of dehydration, so the best thing to do is to try to get your body hydrated. Another good choice is a beverage containing electrolytes which help your body hydrate more quickly.
Drinking water will also help if you are suffering a severe headache. The reason headaches occur is because the brain is lacking water. The body responds and sends a signal to you in the form of a headache to let you know it needs hydration.
The next most important thing to curing a hangover is to eat something. Danielle O’Connell, a senior at Texas State University, said, “The best thing to cure a hangover is a big, greasy burger and a Dr. Pepper. It works every time.” Certain foods will help you feel better, but some might make the hangover worse.
If you find you are feeling nauseated or you are experiencing a loss of appetite, don’t worry. This is not uncommon. The best choice would be to eat something that won’t upset your stomach any more. According to www.ehow.com, “Eat mild foods, since your stomach right now is quite sensitive. Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast or soda crackers are all good options.” This will allow for the body to regain energy and get you back on track.
If you are experiencing severe nausea, vomiting might be the best option. This will allow for a faster release of the alcohol in your system and will speed up the recovery process. If you do vomit, it is especially important to drink plenty of liquids to replace those you are releasing.
Another very common sign of a hangover is drowsiness. Drowsiness occurs because along with a high consumption of alcohol comes the inability to enter the REM cycle during sleep. Even if you do sleep for the eight hours required, you may wake with an extreme sense of sleep deprivation. This drowsiness will disappear with time, but it is necessary to allow yourself to enter the REM cycle before you will completely recover.
It is also important to note the things one should avoid while recovering from a hangover. You should not consume anything that that will cause further dehydration. This includes anything with caffeine (coffee included) and salt. You should avoid saunas and exposure to extreme heat.
Finally, while recovering from a hangover, avoid taking any medication. Even the common over-the-counter headache remedy is not safe. According to www.cocktails.about.com, “Aspirin is a blood thinner, just like alcohol, and can intensify its effects and Tylenol (or acetaminophen) can cause more damage to your liver. Ibuprofen can also cause stomach bleeding.”
Drinking with friends can be an exciting experience, however it is important to take the proper precautions and know how to take care of yourself. As an adult, this is your responsibility. Remember to drink cautiously. These guidelines will help to provide a better way to enjoy alcoholic drinks. Cheers!