Hangovers Dr Rob Hicks Dehydration is responsible for most of the worst effects of a hangover.

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What are hangovers? Causes/Risk Factors

Prevention Treatment/Recovery

Hangovers are no fun. But despite knowing this, every day someone wakes up to a spinning room, thumping headache and a quick dash to the bathroom.

The simple reason for a hangover is, of course, drinking too much alcohol.

Dehydration is responsible for most of the nastier effects of a hangover. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it speeds the loss of water from the body - causing parched-mouth thirst, headaches and that feeling of continual dizziness. Nausea, vomiting and indigestion are caused by alcohol irritating the stomach lining, and can add to the dehydration.

A tiring night out - followed by a lack of refreshing dream sleep - means you'll feel tired the following morning. This is made worse as your body organs try to sort out the disruption you've caused, which also uses up energy.

How to avoid a hangover

Before you go out
Eat a good fatty meal
Drink a glass of milk

While partying
Alternate water or non-fizzy soft drinks with alcoholic ones
Avoid fizzy drinks
Don't drink to excess

Before going to bed
Drink lots of water or a sports drink
Take vitamin C
Eat toast
Walk in the fresh air

Not drinking is the best form of prevention... but let's be realistic.

Look after your body and it will look after you - so avoid dehydration, protect the stomach lining and take it easy as far as the amount of alcohol you drink is concerned.

Before you go out, eat a good meal. On this occasion only, a fatty one is beneficial as fat is digested slowly and will protect the stomach from the irritating effects of alcohol. A glass of milk also protects the stomach and slows the absorption of alcohol.

While you're out, alternating water or non-fizzy soft drinks with alcoholic ones limits the amount of alcohol you consume. Avoid fizzy drinks as they increase the amount of alcohol getting into the bloodstream.

There's a theory that substances called congeners found in wine and spirit colourings and additives magnify the effects of a hangover. These chemicals can easily pass into the brain and disrupt the activity of the cells (within 90 seconds of taking a drink, alcohol and congeners are starting to enter the brain). Congeners also aggravate the irritation that alcohol causes to the stomach lining. This may be why white wines and clear spirits such as vodka are said to cause fewer hangovers.

Walking home in the fresh air after a night out can help to reduce the effects of a hangover. If you can't manage this, take a taxi or get a lift from someone who's sober - never drive.

Before you go to bed, drink at least a pint of water and some orange juice - vitamin C speeds up the metabolism of alcohol by the liver. Eat some toast, too - a lack of sugar is responsible for that wobbly, trembling feeling and it will help to settle your stomach. A sports drink is a convenient alternative.

The 'hair of the dog' isn't a good idea - why prolong the agony?

Everyone has their own hangover cures; some work, others don't. The 'hair of the dog' isn't a good idea - why prolong the agony?

It's best to plan ahead and have a few things close to hand. If you're feeling queasy, antacid liquid or tablets will settle your stomach, as will a cup of ginger tea. Ibuprofen or paracetamol will relieve your headache. Anti-sickness tablets may come in handy.

Once again, water, vitamin C (fruit juice or tablets) and toast are the best things to consume. Eggs are also good as they're packed with cysteine, which is said to mop up the destructive chemicals that build up in the liver when it's metabolising alcohol. This probably explains why a hearty English breakfast does the job - if you can face it.

The effects of a hangover last about 24 hours, so be patient. You'll soon feel better and ready, inevitably, to do it all again.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in February 2009.