What Causes Hangover?

Here are a number of factors that play a part in whether or not you will get a hangover after a night of drinking. Many of the causes are obvious and most of us know what our own limitations are. It goes without saying that the one true way to avoid a hangover is to avoid or severely limit the amount alcohol you consume. However we don’t suggest you to stop drinking altogether. But you should be aware of why and how is this alcohol creating these bloody hangovers. May be one day you may gain control over your hangovers if you know how they originate.Well that is what we are fighting for isn’t it?

Why do you hurt me sweetie

• The ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages has a dehydrating effect which causes headaches, dry mouth and tiredness. This effect can be lessened by drinking plenty of water before and throughout your night of drinking.
• Your liver breaks ethanol down with the aid of enzymes produced by liver cells. These chemical reactions do many things including impairing the liver’s ability to supply glucose to tissues, in particular to the brain. Glucose is responsible for the brain’s energy and the lack thereof results in fatigue, weakness, moodiness and decreased attention.
• Congeners are the by-products of the process of alcohol fermentation and exaggerate the symptoms of a hangover. The more congeners consumed, the worse a hangover is likely to be. Dark spirits such as brandy, whiskey and red wine contain more congeners than lighter spirits like vodka and white wine. Likewise cheaper spirits have had fewer of these impurities removed and are more likely to cause a hangover.
• Some people believe the sugar in sweeter cocktails contribute to the severity of hangovers.
• Smokers and even some non-smokers tend to smoke more when they are drinking and this can lead to nicotine poisoning which will also worsen hangovers.
• Some people are genetically lucky when it comes to hangovers and rarely, if ever, suffer the effects.
• Weight is a factor. The less one weighs the more that person will feel the effects and after effects of alcohol.
• The older you are the more likely you are to have a severe hangover. This is usually not a factor because we tend to take it a little easier as we learn from the mistakes of the past. But you have been warned.
• There is something to be said about psychosomatic effects. If you think you will get a hangover, you probably will get one. Look on the bright side and save yourself.

Finally, the more you drink or the more you guzzle in a short time span, the worse your hangover will be.