Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: medicineworld.org A night of drinking is likely to turn into a morning of pain.

Media Credit: arc.sdsu.edu

How much is too much when it comes to drinking? Everyone always hears the saying "drink responsibly", but when that comment goes ignored, the next morning can be brutal. For most people, a hangover can range from a small stomachache and a little hunger, to lying in bed all day with the garbage can next to you because any sudden movement will cause you to puke. Not to mention the enormous pounding that is going on in your head. Does anyone really know the cure?

This is not a cure available but there are many ideas and theories to help fix the problem. Here are some ideas and theories to help get those people out of bed and back to normal.

Reaching for the aspirin bottle seems like the typical reaction to a hung over person. While drinking water is best because you are hydrating yourself, the Advil or other aspirin related remedies may not be. These items thin your blood, like the alcohol consumed the night before, and cause the body to stay dehydrated. Aspirin will help with the headache, but not the rest of the body aching that is occurring.

According to about.com, the number one thing a person struggling with a hangover can do is sleep. Sleep and rest will replenish the body and restore the energy that was lost. You also will want to drink as much liquids as possible. Usually water is best, but fruit juice and orange juice can help as well. Many people believe that coffee or other caffeinated items help, but actually the caffeine in the coffee keeps your body dehydrated, which is the opposite of what your body wants. Hydration is the most important thing you can do. Drink lots of fluids, like Gatorade or other sports drinks that will help as well.

Another suggestion is exercise. This is usually the last thing on the mind post intoxication, but it has been proven to help. Keeping your body moving and sweating is getting rid of the all of the alcohol that was put into the body before. Exercise helps you wake up and keep your body going. The more you sweat, the better, because you want to get rid of the alcohol. Running, jogging, cycling, or even speed walking will do, as long as you get out and get going.

There are preventative things that can be done before the drinking starts. An article from soyouwanna.com gives tips and things that should be done in order to prepare for the night ahead. It states that you should never drink with an empty stomach. Food is important because it sops up some of the alcohol, preventing most of it from getting into your bloodstream. Greasier food is better for soaking the alcohol. It may have a short term positive effect. It is also important to drink water and/or Gatorade before going to sleep. Every glass of water or Gatorade is equal to two glasses the next morning. You will thank yourself when you awake.

Another tip is choosing what you drink wisely. The cheaper the liquor the more painful it will be in the morning. College students usually go for the cheapest beer or alcohol, but it is far worse for them the next day. You should consider spending the extra couple of bucks for the booze order to save yourself for the morning terror. There are many things that can be done before hand to prevent a hangover. SoYouWanna.com provides a recipe that, if made the night before or even that day, has been found to help. It states:

1. Take two aspirins

2. Take 200mg of Cysteine (an amino acid that can be found at specialty food stores)

3. Take 600mg of vitamin C

4. Take one tablet of vitamin B

After taking these vitamins, The site recommends a blended drink that consists of one banana, one can of V8, six strawberries, two tablespoons of honey, one cup of orange juice, one to two cups of milk, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of nutmeg.

There is no true cure for a hangover. There are many different options and theories that you can use or not use, however the only real answer is not to drink! If you are going to drink, please take into consideration all of the different remedies that are available, and

Remember not to binge. Most importantly if you are going to drink, make sure to do it responsibly. Remember not to drink and drive, and if you need a ride, simply call a cab. Here is the number to a cab company here in Pleasantville. KNAPP McCARTHY (914) 631-taxi (All major credit cards accepted).

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