The Easiest Way To Cure Hangover Nausea
Are you feeling nauseous after drinking a bit too much? Unfortunately, nausea and vomiting are some of the most common hangover symptoms. You may also experience stomach pain, fatigue, headaches, irritability, and mood swings, notes the Mayo Clinic. On the positive side, these issues should subside within 24 hours or so.
Alcohol irritates your stomach and slows digestion, which may cause nausea or vomiting. What's more, certain factors, such as drinking on an empty stomach or mixing alcohol and tobacco, can make a hangover more likely, warns the Mayo Clinic.
Some studies also suggest that tequila, whiskey, cognac, and other dark-colored beverages might cause more severe hangovers than clear drinks, says WebMD. Dark-colored drinks are higher in congeners, a class of compounds formed during the fermentation or distillation process.
However, it's hard to pinpoint the exact cause of hangovers. Some experts believe this problem may be due to acetaldehyde, explains the National Capital Poison Center. Other experts say that genetics and individual factors, such as alcohol tolerance, could play a role.
"The bottom line is nobody knows for sure what causes it, so we don't have a good cure," medical toxicologist Ed Boyer told TIME. Plus, no single remedy will work for everyone or have immediate effects. But even so, there are a couple of things you can try to soothe your stomach and cure hangover nausea.
Take these steps to relieve hangover nausea
Houston Methodist says that most hangover cures are based on anecdotal evidence — and some could actually make you feel worse. For example, having a drink the morning after can prolong your symptoms or even lead to alcohol dependence over time.
What you should do instead is reach for a glass of water as soon as you wake up. "If you got to the point of vomiting, drinking Gatorade and Pedialyte are good choices to help replenish the lost electrolytes," dietitian Amanda Beaver told Houston Methodist.
Beaver also advises against eating high-fat meals and foods with strong odors, as they can irritate the stomach or worsen nausea. Your best bet is to snack on crackers, bagels, toast, and other fast-digesting carbs.
If you prefer a cooked meal, serve it at room temperature or choose foods that can be eaten cold. Eggs, smoothies, and fresh fruits can help, too, and make a healthy choice for breakfast.
Alternatively, you may take ginger supplements or dimenhydrinate (via Canadian Living). The latter is an over-the-counter drug used to relieve nausea from motion sickness (per the U.S. National Library of Medicine), but it may work for hangovers as well. You may find it under the brand names Dramamine or Gravol.
Keep in mind that, due to potential interactions with alcohol, it should be taken during a hangover, not as a preventative measure (per Reader's Digest). Be sure to consult your doctor about potential risks if you have any health conditions or take other medications or supplements.