Hangover

For other uses, see Hangover (disambiguation).
"Morning After" redirects here. For the album, see Morning After (album). For "morning after pills", see Emergency contraception.

Hangover
Other namesveisalgia from Norwegian: kveis, "discomfort following overindulgence", and Greek: ἄλγος álgos, "pain"[1]
The Day After by Edvard Munch, 1894–95
Pronunciation
SpecialtyNeurology, Psychiatry, toxicology

A hangover is the experience of various unpleasant physiological and psychological effects usually following the consumption of alcohol, such as wine, beer, and liquor. Hangovers can last for several hours or for more than 24 hours. Typical symptoms of a hangover may include headache, drowsiness, concentration problems, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), absence of hunger, light sensitivity, depression, sweating, hyper-excitability, irritability, and anxiety.[2]

While the causes of a hangover are still poorly understood,[3] several factors are known to be involved including acetaldehyde accumulation, changes in the immune system and glucose metabolism, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, disturbed prostaglandin synthesis, increased cardiac output, vasodilation, sleep deprivation, and malnutrition. Beverage-specific effects of additives or by-products such as congeners in alcoholic beverages also play an important role.[2] The symptoms usually occur after the intoxicating effect of the alcohol begins to wear off, generally the morning after a night of heavy drinking.[4]

Though many possible remedies and folk cures have been suggested, there is no compelling evidence to suggest that any are effective for preventing or treating hangovers.[5][6] Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation are the most effective ways to avoid a hangover.[5] The socioeconomic consequences of hangovers include workplace absenteeism, impaired job performance, reduced productivity and poor academic achievement. A hangover may also impair performance during potentially dangerous daily activities such as driving a car or operating heavy machinery.[7]

  1. ^ Hem E (10 September 2000). "Hangover eller veisalgi?" [Hangover or veisalgia?]. Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association (in Norwegian Bokmål). Norwegian Medical Association.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Stephens-2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Prat-2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Penning-2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Pittler MH, Verster JC, Ernst E (December 2005). "Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials". BMJ. 331 (7531): 1515–1518. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1515. PMC 1322250. PMID 16373736.
  6. ^ "A get-sober pill?". Science News (Paper magazine). 202 (9): 4. 19 November 2022.
  7. ^ Verster JC, Stephens R, Penning R, Rohsenow D, McGeary J, Levy D, et al. (Alcohol Hangover Research Group) (June 2010). "The alcohol hangover research group consensus statement on best practice in alcohol hangover research". Current Drug Abuse Reviews. 3 (2): 116–126. doi:10.2174/1874473711003020116. PMC 3827719. PMID 20712593.