Hangover
Hangover
is not a health condition, but feelings of discomfort
that follow excess drinking of alcohol the night before.
The most common symptoms of hangover are headache, fatigue,
"brain fog", grogginess, and sometimes nausea. In some
cases, hangover can lead to vomiting as the body attempts
to expel the residual alcohol that remains in the person's
system.
What To Consider
Excess alcohol consumption is a health hazard. If you
find yourself experiencing hangover on a regular basis,
you could be suffering from alcohol addiction, in which
case you should seek immediate medical attention and
counseling.
Self-Care Tips
Diet
Eat
a piece of dry whole grain bread before drinking or
before going to bed. This will help absorb alcohol and
minimize after-effects. Upon awakening the next morning,
drink a glass of orange juice or tomato juice. To counteract
the dehydration that results from excess alcohol consumption,
drink several glasses of pure, filtered water before
going to bed and upon rising, preferably adding the
juice of a fresh-squeezed lemon if available.
Nutritional
Supplementation
The following supplements are advised: vitamin B complex,
vitamin C,
and lipotropic factors that contain cysteine
and folic acid to aid in liver detoxification.
Supplementing with the amino acid glutamine (2 grams
taken in divided doses throughout the day, away from
meals) can also help. More importantly, glutamine has
been shown to significantly reduce the craving for alcohol
in 90 percent of cases.
Aromatherapy
Rosemary, rose, and fennel are useful essential oils
for reducing the effects of hangover.
Flower
Essences
Take Rescue
Remedy for accompanying stress; Olive for exhaustion,
and Hornbeam for mental tiredness related to
excess alcohol consumption and to help relieve hangover.
Herbs
Digestive bitter herbs can help clear a hangover if
taken first thing in the morning or last thing the night
before. Take 1/4 teaspoon of a tincture combination
of digestive bitters or, as an alternative, combine
gentian, mugwort, and dandelion root tinctures and take
in the same amount.
Homeopathy
Nux vom., Arsen alb., Aconite, Sulfur, and Lachesis
are helpful homeopathic remedies.
Hydrotherapy
Take a hot shower followed by 2-5 minutes of a cold
shower. The bracing effects of such a shower will help
shake off feelings of grogginess and fatigue.
Caution
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures,
seek the help of a qualified health professional.
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