Causes and risk factors:
The exact cause of hangovers is not known. The various physiological changes that occur in the body after consumption of alcohol like dehydration, raised levels of acetaldehyde, metabolic acidosis, increased cardiac output, disturbed sleep, inadequate eating, decrease cardiac output etc contribute in development of the symptoms
Clinical presentations:
The patient experiences a variety of symptoms. These symptoms may lasts for about 24 hours. The common presentation is headache, nausea, vomiting, halitosis, difficulty in concentration, sleepiness. Dry mouth, fatigue, sweating, and loss of appetite, empty feeling in the stomach can also be experienced. Consumption of alcohol in excess quantity can pose health hazards. Hangovers can pose a risk for driving. It can increase the chances of accidents. The quality of work is hampered. Excessive alcohol consumption and the effects caused by it can also pose an embrassement for the family and friends.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Diagnosis is confirmed on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient or the relatives and the history of alcohol consumption
Treatment:
No conservative treatment is beneficial to reduce hangovers. Hangovers do not require any medical intervention. Adequate sleep, drinking water or lemon juice and having bland food or food containing fructose are found to be effective .Restriction of alcohol must be implemented as it can soon turn into addiction.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating hangovers. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Caffeine drinks have also proven to be effective. However the best way to prevent theses after effects is to limit the consumption of alcohol.
