By DR. VICTOR S. SIERPINA
It’s that time of year when festivities abound and this may include drinking alcohol, at times to excess. Even moderate drinkers might have a tendency to overdo it this time of the year. Those that drink only on the holidays may have forgotten their limits, or even pass out before reaching them. Those that don’t drink at all are in good shape here and need read no further.
Remember to drink lots of water along with your alcoholic beverages as this can reduce dehydration. It also will send you to the restroom frequently and out of the bartender’s sway.
If you wake up with a throbbing headache, a bad attitude, sick stomach and a dry tongue tasting like it just licked the bottom of the Kitty Litter box, a number of remedies for the hangover from across the world may be of interest.
The Brits favor a breakfast heavy on bacon for one too many at the pub. The old “hair of the dog” cure, which involves drinking more alcohol, is common though it may make symptoms and dehydration worse or cause further risk of dependence. The Bloody Mary, made of spicy tomato juice and vodka, is a perennial favorite though the Virgin Mary is better for you. In Poland, some sauerkraut or sour pickles are the preferred remedy. The Japanese like the salty Umeboshi plum for relief. Germans will gnaw on a pickled herring wrapped in cucumber with onions and a beer. Mexicans feast on menudo or “vuelva a la vida,” translated as return to life. This is tomato juice with cocktail sauce and pico de gallo. Russians love to sauna and self-flagellate with birch branches to drive out the vodka demons. Peruvians favor “leche de tigre” or tiger’s milk made from the leftover marinade and ingredients of a tasty ceviche. Pickled sheep’s eyeballs in tomato juice will help clear your head and likely your stomach in Mongolia. The whisky-loving Scots have created “The Highland fling” composed of buttermilk, corn flour, salt and pepper.
Drinking lots of water after overindulging is essential to recovery. Waking up with a raging thirst is a cue that your body needs fluids. Orange juice, other fruit juices or sports drinks can help replace low sugar and potassium levels and fluids lost from overindulging. Bananas soothe the stomach and help replace potassium and magnesium lost after alcohol intake.
Other practical treatments include antacids, ginger and turmeric for stomach issues. Milk thistle is a botanical proven to reduce the negative influence of alcohol on the liver. Avoid Advil or similar drugs as they can irritate the stomach lining further. Tylenol in dose under 3 grams a day can ease your pains safely with out affecting your liver.
Sleep is maybe the surest way to cure your hangover. It also prevents you from sharing your misery with those around you. So what if you miss another meaningless bowl game?
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So if you choose to drink, do so sensibly, responsibly, being mindful about its effects on your health. Appoint a designated driver or get a cab if you are out and have had too much.
Dr. Victor S. Sierpina is the WD and Laura Nell Nicholson Family Professor of Integrative Medicine and Professor of Family Medicine at UTMB.