How Long Does a Hangover Last? Symptoms & Treatments

Here are 6 hangover cures and ways to prevent a hangover. Who doesn’t love to hit a quintessential greasy spoon for burgers and fries or a big breakfast after drinking? The thing is, greasy food can mess with your already irritated stomach, bring on or worsen nausea, and make you feel even more sluggish. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help with a hangover headache and muscle aches. But keep in mind that aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach, and acetaminophen can damage your already taxed liver if you drank a lot.

And depending on various factors, some symptoms can be worse than others in terms of severity and duration. “Eating a good hearty and filling breakfast can help maintain your blood sugar levels, provide important vitamins and minerals, and reduce the symptoms of a hangover,” says Agyeman. Ease the pain by staying hydrated—alternating every glass of booze with a glass of water, he says—and make sure to keep drinking water even when you really don’t feel like it the next day.

Prevention

But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning. Alcoholic beverages contain ingredients called congeners, which give many types of alcoholic beverages their flavor and can contribute to hangovers. Congeners are found in larger amounts in dark liquors, such as brandy and bourbon, than in clear liquors, such as vodka and gin. You may have dry mouth, headache, dizziness, or nausea and be tired, shaky, thirsty, or sensitive to light and sound.

Always consult your physician before beginning any treatment or therapy program. Any designations or references to therapies are for marketing purposes how long does a hangover last only and do not represent actual products. As we’ve said before, the only way to truly prevent a hangover is to go back in time and drink less.

7 steps to cure your hangover

You could have easily picked up an infection that may make you think you’ve got a 2 day hangover, when in actual fact it could be gastroenteritis . Vince Ayaga Content Contributor Vincent Ayaga is a medical researcher and experienced content writer with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology. His areas of special interest include disease investigation, prevention, and control strategies. His mission is to educate society on the effects of alcohol abuse and dependence and available evidence-based solutions in addiction therapy. He believes that addiction education based on current research has a greater impact among the affected and knowledge seekers.

• The information in this article is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
• You’ll boost low blood sugar levels and reduce nausea.
• However unpleasant, most hangovers go away on their own, though they can last up to 24 hours.
• These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
• Your body’s already under a little bit of strain during your period, and since alcohol can dehydrate you, it can deplete your energy even more on your period, says Dr. Cox.
• It’s easy to blame your 2 day hangover on the alcohol you drank over the weekend.