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Several people rang in 2013 with a bang, and sometimes that comes with a hangover. Dr. Justin Puckett talks about ways to avoid those pesky hangovers the day after. 

Question: What causes a hang-over?
Answer: Simple, alcohol poisoning: The alcohol causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate which can cause headache. Also, alcohol can cause neurotransmitters in the brain to change levels quickly, which can contribute to the HA. Dehydration: Alcohol causes you to loose water by decreasing a natural hormone the body has to help keep you from loosing too much water. Vomiting, sweating, and diarrhea can make things worse too. Sleep deprivation: While many people claim that a drink might help them sleep, it isn’t the good REM sleep we need to get rested.

Question: What are the common hang over symptoms?
Answer: Headache, Poor sense of overall well-being, Sensitivity to light and sound, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Trembling, Nausea, Fatigue, Increased heart rate and blood pressure, Dehydration(dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry eyes), Trouble concentrating, Anxiety, Difficulty sleeping and Weakness.

Question: Is there anything people can do to prevent a hangover?
Answer:  Drink water or other non-alcoholic beverage between each drink, helps decrease not only
the amount you drink, but also helps to counter dehydration. Drink clear beer or simple liquors, many things that are deeply colored contain a variety of additional chemicals that can worsen or trigger effects of alcohol. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Also, a fatty meal slows alcohol absorption and is better to have before (the eat pasta myth is a myth, but better than nothing). Get plenty of sleep. Don’t over exert (dance). We aren’t sure why, but fruit juices and sugar drinks tend less the effects better than diet
colas. Treat alcohol servings as equivalents, 12 oz for beer, 5 for wine, and 1.5 (shot) for hard
liquors. Over the counter Pain Killers: Don’t help, avoid the night before, save them for the next
morning as their half life is short. Avoid Tylenol all together.

Question: What about treating a hangover once you get one?
Answers: Use NSAIDS for symptoms. Avoid the morning drink; all that does is postponed the inevitable. Avoid Coffee, drink more water or sport drinks with electrolytes.

Question: Are there any differences in women and men when drinking?
Answer: Yes, men can generally drink more with fewer problems than women, as women have less body
water to dilute the alcohol.

Question:  What are some signs or symptoms that might alert someone that the problem is more than
just a hangover?
Answer: Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms include:
● Confusion, stupor
● Vomiting
● Seizures
● Slow, irregular breathing
● Low body temperature, bluish skin
it’s easy to blow off these symptoms as the price of partying hard, but if you see someone vomit multiple times or pass out after drinking heavily, there’s a risk of severe dehydration or brain damage. Call 911.

Dr. Justin Puckett

1611 S. Baltimore St.

Kirksville, MO. 63501

660-665-7575