It’s the morning after a long night of holiday parties and eggnog, and you feel like dying. That pounding headache, queasy stomach, and extreme fatigue can only mean one thing: you’ve got a hangover.
If you overindulged this holiday season, you may be nursing a pretty nasty hangover. But how much do you really know about hangovers? Are they dangerous? Can you die from one? Let’s take a closer look at hangovers to find out.
What Is a Hangover and How Do You Get One?
A hangover is the unpleasant physical and mental effects that can occur after drinking too much alcohol. These effects are most commonly experienced the morning after a night of drinking, hence the name “hangover.”
When you drink alcohol, it enters your bloodstream and begins to affect your areas of the brain and body within minutes. Depending on how much you drink, those effects can last for hours or even days after you’ve stopped drinking.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that’s also a diuretic, which means that it causes your body to produce more urine. This increased urination can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause symptoms like low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining and can cause nausea and vomiting. And finally, alcohol impairs your brain function, which can make you feel anxious or depressed. Excess alcohol can also negatively affect your blood sugar levels, liver, and kidney function.
The severity of your hangover will depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly you drank, how much alcohol you consumed, what type of alcohol you drank, and whether or not you ate while drinking.
What Are the Symptoms of a Hangover?
The symptoms of a hangover typically peak around 24 hours after drinking and then gradually improve over the next 24 hours. The most common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, thirst, anxiety, irritability, light sensitivity, and nausea.
There have also been studies about the effects of alcohol on the brain the next day after drinking. Alcohol can cause memory impairment and difficulty concentrating, even after the effects of the alcohol have worn off.
Can You Die from a Hangover?
Generally speaking, no – hangovers are not fatal. The good news is that it’s very rare to die directly from a hangover. While hangovers are certainly unpleasant, they are not usually deadly and you cannot die from a hangover alone.
However, drinking too much alcohol can definitely kill you. Too much alcohol consumption like binge drinking can result in alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when your blood alcohol content (BAC) is so high that it begins to shut down vital organs like your heart and lungs. If left untreated, it can lead to coma or death.
So although hangovers themselves are not fatal, too much alcohol consumption can be deadly. One real risk is when people mistake alcohol poisoning for a hangover and do not seek medical treatment.
Difference Between Hangover from Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning occurs when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.40%. This is about five times the legal limit for driving in most states. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include slurred speech, vomiting, confusion, seizures, slow breathing, heart rate irregularities, low body temperature, pale skin, and passing out.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms after drinking alcohol, it’s important to seek medical help immediately as alcohol poisoning can lead to coma or death.
How to Prevent a Hangover
The best way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation or not at all. Alcohol is a depressant and should not be mixed with other drugs or medications. But if you do find yourself with a nasty hangover after a night of heavy drinking, there are some things you can do to help ease your symptoms.
Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water or fruit juice) to stay hydrated; eat small meals throughout the day; avoid strong lighting; take pain relievers like ibuprofen for headaches; get some fresh air, and sleep or rest as much as possible.
Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder in Anaheim, California
The holiday season can be great fun but it’s important to remember that excessive drinking can lead to harmful consequences. While it’s very rare that a hangover can kill you, too much alcohol can be deadly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, please reach out for help.
