by CD Gozzi

Created on: July 18, 2008

As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Moreover, when you have a hangover, you often wish you had taken more care to avoid this horrible feeling. There is nothing worse after a night of too much libation as the experience of the room spinning, your mouth feeling like the Sahara desert, and your stomach intolerant to any type of nourishment.

Symptoms of a hangover include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, dizziness, stomach discomfort, tremors, and weariness. The hangover is essentially a withdrawal from the previous night's alcohol intake. If you ingest more alcohol than your body can process, you will in fact suffer these symptoms.

Alcohol is basically ethanol. Ethanol contributes to dehydration, which in turn causes the headache, cotton-mouth, and fatigue. This can be decreased by drinking a good deal of water during your night of imbibing. The liver metabolizes the ethanol with the help of enzymes it produces. Since the liver is busy with this process, it decreases the ability to provide the essential glucose to muscle and brain tissue. The result is weakness, fatigue and a diminished attention span. Another factor for the individual doing the drinking is he or she lose inhibitions and deductive reasoning, therefore continue with the drinking quest.

Another contributor to hangovers is congeners which are the by-products of the fermentation process. Largely responsible for the taste, aroma, and color of the alcoholic beverage they are primarily found in the darker liquors whisky, scotch, bourbon, and red wine. The clearer beverages, gin, and vodka usually do not have these since the distillation and purification process removes them. So sticking with clear, high-end liquors is another potential preventative of hangovers. And of course limiting their intake would be useful as well.

Another tip to minimize a hangover is to eat. Choose foods that have lean proteins and healthy carbohydrates to slow the rate of absorption of the alcohol. High fat foods such as burgers and pizza may not mix well with the alcohol and you may end up bowing to the porcelain "god."

When you drink, try to limit your intake to one per hour or less. You can alternate the alcoholic beverage with water or sodas to minimize your intake. If you feel you must have something that resembles a cocktail, you can have an alcohol free beverage dressed up to appear more potent.

Once you have ended the evening of imbibing, make sure you pour just one more. This time make it a large glass of water. Vitamin B will also help to dilute the effects of the alcohol. Although you may know a headache is coming, do not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication at this time. Your liver is currently working on the ethanol you have ingested and the additional of an additional toxin' may seriously affect your liver.

Better yet, the next time you decide to party. Pace yourself. Drink plenty of water, eat a healthy meal, and do not be the life of the party.

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