Ways to Reduce Effects of a Hangover

Do you have a party coming up and know you may have the chance to drink? Do you sometimes overindulge and wake up with a hangover? It’s not uncommon, but there are some ways you may be able to reduce the effects of a hangover. Here are some ways for preventing hangovers and reducing their effects. Keep in mind that you should talk to your healthcare provider about any health-related symptoms, and if you think you may have trouble regulating your alcohol consumption.

Drink in Moderation

The first guideline is to drink in moderation, if you choose to drink at all. That’s a general rule for overall health, and it can also help reduce the severity or likelihood of hangovers. Men should stick to no more than two drinks daily, and women should limit consumption to one. A drink is a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce bottle or can of beer, or 1 ½-ounce shot of liquor. Be careful about mixed drinks or large drinks, which may have more alcohol than you expect. 

Select Your Alcohol Carefully

Surprisingly, not all alcoholic beverages are equal when it comes to hangovers. Certain types have congeners, which are chemicals that can increase hangovers. It’s best to limit these types of alcohol, which can include cognac, tequila, and whisky. Vodka and rum are lower in congeners.

Sleep More

Getting more sleep is almost always a good idea, especially when you’re not feeling well, and it’s definitely a good idea when you have a hangover or have been drinking. There’s an extra challenge, though, because drinking alcohol can interfere with sleep quality. Even though you feel tired when you drink, you may have more trouble staying asleep overnight. If possible, go to bed early when you drink, and plan to sleep in to try to catch up on your sleep and recover quickly from your hangover. 

Hydrate While Drinking and Afterwards

Alcoholic beverages may be liquids, but they’re also diuretics. That means they increase urination and lead to your body losing more fluids than usual. Pure water while you’re drinking alcohol and afterwards can help, and so can electrolyte fluids to help replace sodium and potassium. This helps maintain the balance of water in your body so you feel better. 

Consider Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar can make you feel pretty bad, and it’s likely you’ll wake up with low blood sugar if you have a bad hangover. You can raise your blood sugar by drinking some juice or having a high-carb breakfast. Bagels, pancakes, toast, jam, fruit, oatmeal, and cereal are all high in carbs. On the other hand, a high-fat breakfast, such as with doughnuts or bacon, may make you feel worse. 

Fight Headaches with Coffee

Coffee can help reduce some common symptoms of migraines. First, it can make you feel more energetic and less tired if you choose a caffeinated version. Plus, it can constrict blood vessels, which are often dilated, and the cause of headaches, when you have a hangover. A cup should be enough to get the benefits. The Hangover Plus Vitamin Patch by PatchAid has green tea, which is a source of caffeine.*

Ask About NSAIDs

Over-the-counter non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can help reduce headaches and muscle aches. Your doctor may agree that they’re a good idea, but ask about the risks, too. Ibuprofen and similar drugs can be hard on your liver and stomach. 

Use a Hangover Vitamin Patch

When you drink, the alcohol can deplete some nutrients, especially B vitamins. The PatchAid Hangover Plus Vitamin Patch has B vitamins, as well as antioxidant vitamins C and E.* It comes with vitamin D, as well, which helps support a strong immune system.* It also includes green tea extract, acai berry extract, and ashwagandha extract.* At a time when you may not be feeling well enough to take tablets or capsules, you may appreciate a topical patch that offers transdermal absorption. 

Preventing and recovering quickly from hangovers can help you feel better and make you more productive. By keeping alcohol consumption to moderate amounts and following some other rules of thumb, you may be able to avoid the worst of the symptoms of hangovers. The PatchAid Hangover Patch Vitamin Patch is designed to support your efforts.* Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before using any dietary supplements and about any troublesome health symptoms or signs of alcohol abuse. 

*The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. PatchAid patches are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone with a medical condition should seek the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Individual results may vary.