Prevention and Treatment for Hangover Headaches | National Headache Foundation (2024)

FAQs

Prevention and Treatment for Hangover Headaches | National Headache Foundation? ›

When it comes to alcohol, always drink in moderation, and with plenty of water in between drinks, to avoid hangover headaches in the morning. If hangovers do occur, treat with hydration and foods high in fructose (tomato juice, honey). If you are trying to stay awake to study, drink coffee only in moderation.

There is no proven cure for a hangover headache, but there are some methods for improving the symptoms of a hangover. These include hydrating, eating carbohydrates, and taking certain painkillers. A person should avoid acetaminophen as it can worsen the effects of alcohol on the liver.

Obviously, the only sure way to avoid a hangover is to not drink alcohol. But if you are going to indulge, Tabakoff says the tried-and-true advice — eat something before you drink, and while you drink, makes good sense. "Food is very good for the purpose of slowing the absorption of alcohol," he says.

Drink water.

And alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee a lot and lose a lot of liquid. Dehydration causes symptoms like a dry mouth and headache. Drinking water also slows the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol and keeps your overall blood alcohol level lower.

Here's some advice on what to do after an evening of “overdoing it”: Avoid more alcohol (“hair of the dog”) — this will only increase your misery. Avoid further dehydration by drinking liquids (other than alcohol!) — water, chicken soup, Gatorade, whatever works for you.

Eating a hearty, protein-rich meal before a night of drinking can greatly reduce the chance of a hangover. "A fatty meal slows the absorption of alcohol into your system," Burke told INSIDER. "If you drink two or three shots on an empty stomach, the alcohol is going to be in your system in 10 minutes.

Several strategies may help reduce the severity of hangovers. These include avoiding drinks high in congeners, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate sleep, and having a nutritious breakfast. But the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain completely.

Antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E): Try taking these vitamins with some food before drinking to add some support for the work your body will have to do.

Why is co*ke so good for a hangover? ›

"The combination of sugar, caffeine, fluid, fizz and cold gives people the impression that their hangover is better," she explains. "It is a fluid so will solve your thirst to a certain extent, but it does not contain much in the way of electrolytes; minerals that aid rehydration.

Drinking fluids.

If your hangover includes diarrhea, sweating, or vomiting, you may be even more dehydrated. Although nausea can make it difficult to get anything down, even just a few sips of water might help your hangover.

Carb-heavy foods like bread, crackers, sandwiches, and pasta are typically easy to digest, which is what your body needs at this point. The myth that eating tacos, pizza, and burgers will help "soak up" the alcohol is just wrong. "Greasy food doesn't soak up anything, it's not soluble in water," White said.

Load up on (healthy) fats

Foods with a higher fat content remain in the stomach for longer – so the longer the belly is 'lined', the slower the alcohol will be absorbed into your blood (and hopefully the less likely you are to feel like death the next morning). Salmon, avocado and nuts are all great options.

The only reliable hangover cure is limiting alcohol intake in the first place. Nonetheless, taking vitamin B12 supplements before and after drinking alcohol may help replenish the amount of this essential nutrient in your body and allow it to recover faster from hangover symptoms.

The amino acid N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can be found in certain protein-rich foods or in capsule form at many health food stores and pharmacies. NAC is thought to boost the production of the antioxidant glutathione and support more efficient alcohol metabolism while reducing oxidative damage to the body.

For most people, a post-drinking headache will go away on its own after one day. On the other hand, some people turn to their doctor when frequent, heavy drinking results in alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or when regular hangovers negatively impact their quality of life, including relationships and job performance.

Low blood sugar can make a hangover headache worse . Keeping your blood sugar levels up can also limit how much acid builds up in your blood. This may prevent headaches as well as other symptoms, like nausea and exhaustion. Drinking causes a loss of vitamins that can lead to hangover symptoms, such as headache.

Drink lots of fluids, including water, electrolyte beverages (Gatorade® or Pedialyte®), broth and other non-alcoholic beverages to reduce dehydration. To be sure you're getting enough hydration, drink fluids until your urine is clear. Get sleep to counteract fatigue. Take antacids to help settle your stomach.