4 Ways to Cure a Hangover

1. Give It Time, Preferably in Bed

Medical science has yet to come up with a reliable cure for a hangover other than simply waiting it out. Few studies have been done on the subject, in part because of a lack of understanding of how drinking too much alcohol actually causes a hangover. The only consistent cure at this point is time. Most hangovers last no more than 24 hours, and many are even shorter. Going back to bed and letting a hangover run its course while you sleep may be the best cure.

2. Hydrate Before, During and After

Staying hydrated can minimize the severity of a hangover, because drinking alcohol causes dehydration. Before you drink alcohol, drink as much water as you can. This will dilute the alcohol you consume at the beginning of the night. Continue hydrating throughout the night by alternating alcoholic drinks with water. Before you go to bed after a night of heavy drinking, drink as much water as you can. When you wake up in the morning, drink even more water. Alternatively, you can drink a sports drink, which may replenish electrolytes. Staying hydrated will not eliminate the symptoms of a hangover entirely, but it is the best bet for reducing the severity and duration of its symptoms.

3. Think Prevention

Planning can prevent a hangover or at least make it more tolerable. Eat a hearty, carbohydrate-rich meal before consuming alcohol. Foods like breads and pasta can absorb some of the alcohol you drink. Drinking milk before imbibing can coat your stomach and reduce alcohol absorption.

What you drink also may impact the severity of your hangover. Dark alcoholic beverages like whiskey often cause more intense hangovers than an equal quantity of light-colored alcoholic beverages, such as vodka. Similarly, carbonated drinks can produce heavy hangovers because of the way the alcohol enters the bloodstream. The drinks that are least likely to cause hangovers are non-carbonated mixed drinks with light-colored spirits, such as vodka with fruit juice.

4. Treat Hangover Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hangovers include headache, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and irritability. While you may have to suffer through some of these symptoms, you can treat aches, nausea and fatigue. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken just before going to bed or after waking can relieve a headache. Only the recommended dosages should be taken, and aspirin can cause stomach irritation, even when taken properly. Skip acetaminophen altogether if you are a heavy drinker because it can cause liver damage. Avoid taking pain relievers on an empty stomach.

Nausea and fatigue can be reduced by eating bland foods like crackers, and bouillon soup is also recommended. While you may not have an appetite during a hangover, getting some food in your stomach will help give you the energy to fight fatigue and metabolize the alcohol out of your system.