When Does Dehydration Occur in a Hangover?

A hangover is the age-old condition that comes about after a bout of drinking. Characterized by a pounding head, dry mouth and nausea, a hangover is easily identified. There are many rumored remedies for a hangover, but in reality, all or most of these symptoms are caused by dehydration, so knowing when dehydration happens and how to prevent it will help alleviate your hangover symptoms.

In general, alcoholic beverages act as a diuretic, causing a person to urinate more often and flush the body of much-needed fluids. Alcohol also removes fluids from the tissues it comes in contact with, and moves the fluids along through the kidneys, causing even more drying of your system.

Alcohol dehydration begins as soon as you introduce alcohol into the body. It will get worse as you drink more, especially if you don't replenish your fluids. After a night of drinking nothing but alcohol or mixed drinks ,your body will be dehydrated, and if by chance you have vomited, it will be even worse.

A dull headache, faintness, dizziness, weakness and lack of muscle control are all signs of dehydration--as well as signs of intoxication and a hangover. Many of these occur while you are drinking, but you may not notice because you are intoxicated. Most people do not notice until after the drinking has stopped and they have slept for awhile.

Drink water. Have a glass of water before you begin drinking, and alternate every alcoholic beverage that you drink with an 8 oz. glass of water. After you stop drinking alcohol, drink a couple of big glasses of water to replenish your body before going to sleep. Many people also advise taking a multivitamin as well before you go to sleep, because the alcohol has flushed away many of the vitamins and minerals in your system, along with the fluids.

If you didn't take preventative steps and have woken up with hangover symptoms, you need to replenish your body's fluids quickly. Definitely don't take the "hair of the dog" route and drink more alcohol. Instead, have a large glass of water, followed by a glass of fruit juice. Take a long shower and drink more water and fruit juice, take a multivitamin and, if needed, an ibuprofen for your throbbing head. It will take time for your body to flush the toxins from the alcohol out of your body, and you may feel a little sluggish throughout the day, but if you continue drinking water and juices, you will bounce back fairly quickly.