Don’t worry about drinking in the Year of the Snake! A complete guide to self-help after drinking

Xiao Yixuan and Yang Shengli from the First Clinical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology

The Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake is approaching, and the festive atmosphere is overflowing. Wine is a frequent guest on the dinner table, whether it is a gathering of friends, business dealings, or family reunions. But after the excitement, the discomfort after drinking is often annoying. Symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach burning, and general fatigue instantly break the joyful atmosphere and make people feel uncomfortable. These symptoms not only affect the present, but may also pose a potential threat to health. The following is a detailed introduction to a series of self-help methods for discomfort after drinking, to help you easily deal with the troubles of hangovers.

Where does the discomfort after drinking come from?

After alcohol enters the human body, it is absorbed into the blood through the gastrointestinal tract, and 90% is transported to the liver for metabolism. Under the action of alcohol dehydrogenase, alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, which is further converted into acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and finally decomposed into carbon dioxide and water and excreted from the body. However, when drinking excessively exceeds the metabolic capacity of the liver, alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde will accumulate in the body. Acetaldehyde is more toxic than alcohol and will stimulate blood vessel dilation, leading to symptoms such as facial flushing, dizziness, and headache. At the same time, acetaldehyde interferes with the normal function of the nervous system, causing headaches, drowsiness, and slow reactions. In severe cases, it can even lead to alcohol poisoning and coma.

As a fat-soluble substance, alcohol directly damages the gastric mucosa, promotes gastric acid secretion, and causes stomach burning, nausea, vomiting and other discomforts. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can easily lead to dehydration. In addition, alcohol accelerates insulin secretion, reduces blood sugar concentration, causes hypoglycemia, and leads to dizziness. Understanding the causes of these discomforts can help us take more targeted self-help measures.

The Secret of Food for Hangover Relief

1. Grapes: Natural hangover-relief fruit

Fruits rich in fructose are good for sobering up, and grapes are one of them. The tartaric acid in grapes can react with ethanol to produce esters, which can reduce the alcohol concentration in the body and effectively relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting after drinking. Eating some grapes before drinking can also effectively prevent drunkenness.

2. Banana: Protector of gastric mucosa

Bananas can neutralize excess stomach acid, protect the gastric mucosa, and relieve stomach burning and pain. Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium ions, which can replenish electrolytes lost in urine after drinking.

3. Olives: A traditional hangover remedy

Since ancient times, olives have been regarded as a good medicine for sobering up, clearing stomach heat, and promoting appetite, and can effectively relieve discomfort after drinking.

The above fruits can be eaten directly, squeezed into juice or stewed with rock sugar.

Drinks have a trick to relieve

Drink more water: the easiest way to sober up

Drinking plenty of water is the simplest and most effective way to relieve discomfort after drinking. Alcohol is a diuretic, and drinking plenty of water can not only replenish the water lost due to vomiting and urination, but also speed up the metabolism of alcohol and relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.

Yogurt: The "little guard" of gastric mucosa

Drinking a glass of yogurt before or after drinking alcohol will cause the protein in the yogurt to form a protective film on the surface of the gastric mucosa, reducing the direct stimulation of alcohol on the gastric mucosa, while slowing down the absorption of alcohol and making the metabolism of alcohol in the body more stable. For people with sensitive stomachs, drinking yogurt after drinking alcohol is a good choice to relieve stomach discomfort.

Honey water: sobers up and calms the nerves

High-concentration honey water is rich in fructose and glucose, which can speed up the decomposition and metabolism of alcohol. Its hypertonic effect can also accelerate the excretion of alcohol from the body. Honey water can also protect the gastric mucosa, moisten the intestines and promote the metabolism and excretion of alcohol. After drinking, brewing a cup of honey water with warm water can not only help sleep and effectively relieve headache symptoms, but also replenish energy for the body and make people recover faster.

However, it is not advisable to drink strong tea or coffee after drinking alcohol, so as not to increase the burden on the heart and kidneys.

Be cautious with drug assistance

When the symptoms of discomfort after drinking are more serious, some drugs can play a certain role, but they must be used cautiously under the guidance of a doctor. For example, omeprazole can inhibit gastric acid secretion, reduce the irritation of gastric acid on the gastric mucosa, and relieve stomach discomfort; aluminum carbonate magnesium can form a protective film on the surface of the gastric mucosa to isolate the direct irritation and damage of alcohol, gastric acid, etc. to the gastric mucosa.

It should be emphasized that there are certain risks in self-medication. Alcohol itself will put a burden on the liver and other organs. Certain drugs interact with alcohol, which may increase the metabolic burden on the liver and even cause adverse reactions. For example, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) after drinking will greatly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, the cephalosporins, metronidazoles, quinolone antibiotics, etc. that we are familiar with cannot be taken with alcohol. So. If you want to relieve discomfort with medication after drinking, be sure to consult a doctor or pharmacist offline or online, and choose the appropriate medication and the correct method of taking it according to your physical condition and alcohol consumption.

Life skills help

In daily life, some simple tips can also play a role in relieving the discomfort after drinking.

1. Induce vomiting: If you feel uncomfortable soon after drinking, you can try to induce vomiting to expel the alcohol in the stomach in time and reduce absorption. Use your fingers or chopsticks to gently stimulate the back wall of the throat to induce vomiting, but pay attention to the strength and method to avoid damaging the esophagus and throat.

2. Get enough sleep: Sleep is an important process for the body to repair itself. Get enough sleep after drinking to allow the body to fully rest, speed up alcohol metabolism, and relieve discomfort. Try to create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment, ensure fresh indoor air, and improve sleep quality.

3. Massage: Massaging specific acupoints can effectively relieve discomfort after drinking. Gently press the temple with the index and middle fingers for 1-2 minutes each time to relieve headaches; massage the Fengchi point (located at the back of the neck, in the depression on the outer edge of the two large tendons, flush with the earlobe) for 3-5 minutes each time to relieve headaches; gently press the Neiguan point (located two inches above the wrist crease, between the two tendons) with the thumb to relieve nausea and vomiting symptoms.

Vitamin supplementation: Drinking alcohol consumes vitamins in the body. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin C and B vitamins after drinking can promote body metabolism, help the body recover, and relieve headache symptoms. You can supplement by eating fresh fruits and vegetables (such as carrots, tomatoes, etc.) or taking vitamin supplements. At the same time, appropriate supplementation of vitamin A can help protect the liver. You can eat pork liver, duck egg yolks, broccoli, carrots, etc., or take vitamin A tablets in moderation.

5. Eat light food*: On the second day after being drunk, you can eat some light and easily digestible food, such as noodles, white rice porridge, etc., to reduce the strong stimulation of alcohol on the stomach and do not leave the stomach empty.

It is important to seek medical attention promptly

If you experience persistent and worsening dizziness, headache, heavy vomiting, difficult-to-relieve fatigue, or even abdominal pain, these symptoms may indicate serious complications from alcohol poisoning, such as cerebral hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, or gastric ulcer bleeding. Delaying treatment may be life-threatening. Please seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent more serious physical damage.

Although there are many ways to deal with alcohol discomfort, thousands of words can be summed up in one sentence: drinking in moderation is the key, after all, health is the cornerstone of life. I hope this self-help guide can come in handy when you are troubled by alcohol discomfort, help you quickly get rid of the discomfort and enjoy the beauty of life.