WHAT IS A HANGOVER AND HOW TO AVOID IT?

 

LEARN TO HANDLE ALCOHOL PROFESSIONALLY

WHAT IS A HANGOVER AND HOW TO AVOID IT?

A hangover is the result of intoxication of the body caused by ingesting high doses of alcohol.

In general, it can be said that a hangover is caused by dehydration, hormonal alteration, deregulation of cytokine metabolization pathways, and a direct toxic effect.

Symptom cocktail:

Alcohol produces a lower concentration of sugar in the blood, a slight hypoglycemia, hence fatigue and tiredness.

The craving produced the next day is due to the fact that alcohol has irritated the gastrointestinal system and stimulates the production of pancreatic secretions and acids in the stomach.

Alcohol is a diuretic and causes the pituitary gland to secrete less antidiuretic hormones (vasopressin), consequently the kidneys do not absorb as much fluid, therefore urine production increases. Due to this dehydration and loss of electrolytes, symptoms of dryness, fatigue, abundant thirst appear and can also contribute to headaches; mainly a consequence of the body looking for water from other parts and causing the membranes that cover the brain (the meninges) to lose fluid. When the amount of water is reduced, the blood vessels dilate (vasodilation) to try to restore our body's balance and bring more fluid to the brain. This dilation produces a terrible headache.

LEARN TO HANDLE ALCOHOL PROFESSIONALLY

The liver and the stomach have certain enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing ethanol into a non-toxic product, thus metabolizing it without problems.

This first enzyme is ADH and is responsible for removing hydrogen from the ethanol molecule to convert it into acetaldehyde. This last compound is still toxic, therefore ALDH must remove another Hydrogen so that it is finally transformed into acetate.

If it is drunk too quickly we do not allow this process to take place at the proper pace. And your blood concentration of acetaldehyde will be very high and you will suffer nausea, sweating, accelerated pulse and general discomfort.

In additin to ethanol, alcoholic beverages contain substances (congeners) that are generated in the manufacturing process that accentuate hangovers. Low-quality drinks usually contain more of these congeners.

Its presence is what gives the drink its organoleptic characteristics. Among them we find: acetic acid, ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, methanol, isoamyl alcohols...

In high concentrations they can be toxic, as is the case with methanol. It is believed that it is these byproducts that promote greater hangover intensity.

Methanol is the worst of these congeners. It is a molecule similar to ethanol, but smaller, that uses the same enzymes to degrade.

Its intermediate products such as formaldehyde and formic acid are much more toxic.

Hangover symptoms begin when the concentration of ethanol in the blood is zero or almost zero. This is because the metabolizing enzymes (ADH and ALDH) first metabolize ethanol and finally methanol, producing formaldehyde and formic acid.

A new theory suggests that this poisoning would suddenly activate an alarm signal in the immune system, inducing discomfort. The cytokines used by the immune system cause discomfort, weakness, pain and calmness, all to force us to rest and thus contribute to our recovery. This would produce an overload of this mechanism generated by excessive alcohol consumption, contributing to the heaviness of the next day.

LEARN TO HANDLE ALCOHOL PROFESSIONALLY

MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT HANGOVERS:

Does drinking alcohol help relieve a hangover?

There is some truth to this myth, since the cause of a hangover can be a drop in blood alcohol levels. But this is not recommended because it can become a vicious circle that does not allow recovery. Likewise, alcohol damages the mucous membranes that are already damaged. Alcohol ingestion produces the blockage of ADH and ALDH again.

Does drinking a lot of liquid eliminate a hangover?

Alcohol promotes dehydration, it also lowers blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). But drinking plenty of water will not eliminate the hangover, but will help us stay hydrated.

Alcohol is eliminated at 7 grams per hour, therefore, even if we consume more liquid, we will not eliminate alcohol more quickly.

Do dark drinks give us more hangovers?

Yes, this is due to the substances that alcohols contain in their production process. Clearer alcoholic beverages are under a more rigorous production process. Lower quality products will also give us a bigger hangover.

Does coffee take away our hangovers?

No, coffee is a stimulant. It will not take away our hangover, it will only stimulate us and keep us more alert, contrasting some of the effects of the hangover.

But it must be remembered that coffee acts as a diuretic and this will increase dehydration, it would also irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

Does vitamin B6 prevent hangovers?

This can prevent a hangover, but for that to happen it would have to be applied intramuscularly.

What should we eat?

Soft foods will help not irritate the gastric mucosa. Eat foods rich in vitamins, salts and carbohydrates. Just woken up, it is best to tone the body with a good vegetable broth. Vegetables act as detoxifying agents. How? They increase the diuresis capacity by activating the function of the kidneys, increasing urine production and eliminating toxic substances accumulated after excesses. They also include a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that have a tonic or restorative function. There are other vegetables that stimulate the secretion of bile and regenerate the liver, an organ that is also damaged by alcohol consumption. Any vegetable is good, but we highlight asparagus, celery, borage, green beans, onion or cauliflower, for their diuretic capacity; and artichoke, chicory, endive, escarole, radish, celery or eggplant, for their liver regenerative capacity.

You can find vitamin B in cereals, legumes and fish. Vitamin C in lemons, oranges, spinach, tomatoes or melons.

Does showering relieve a hangover?

Yes, a hot shower finished with cold water will stimulate blood circulation and help eliminate toxins.

But the best way to avoid a hangover is not to consume alcoholic beverages or do so in small quantities. Alternating the consumption of alcohol with a non-alcoholic drink will help us dilute the alcohol in the blood. But if we decide to drink alcohol, let's know how to choose the highest quality products.

Its presence is what gives the drink its organoleptic characteristics. Among them we find: acetic acid, ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, methanol, isoamyl alcohols...

In high concentrations they can be toxic, as is the case with methanol. It is believed that it is these byproducts that promote greater hangover intensity.