A POUNDING headache, upset stomach or incessant thirst – we all experience hangovers differently.
But one thing we can all agree on is that they are pretty unpleasant.
Your hangover might seem harmless – but it could be a sign of something much more seriousCredit: Getty
Thankfully, they are usually short-lived – easing up within a few hours and gone completely the following day.
However, sometimes our typical might actually be masking .
Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical , tells Sun Health: “A hangover is essentially your body’s reaction to being overloaded with alcohol.
“It’s caused by a combination of dehydration, inflammation, low blood sugar, and the toxic effects of alcohol’s breakdown products, such as acetaldehyde.
“Alcohol causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, sweating and shaking. It also irritates the stomach and disrupts your sleep, so it’s no wonder you feel awful the next morning.
“You might also feel anxious or low, struggle to concentrate, or find yourself unusually sensitive to light and noise.”
While likely harmless and self-inflicted, these can also be signs of , and even .
“A hangover typically begins once your blood alcohol level drops back to zero – usually several hours after your last drink,” Dr Mohammed Enayat, an GP from , says.
“It’s normal to feel tired, sluggish, irritable, and dehydrated, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, and mild dizziness.
“These effects are uncomfortable but should improve steadily as you rest, eat, and hydrate.
“Most hangovers last between eight and 24 hours.
“If your symptoms continue for longer than 36 hours or get worse rather than better, that may indicate that something more serious is going on, and you should seek medical advice.”
1. Alcohol poisoning
If you’re confused, breathing slowly, or vomiting and can’t stop, you may have , Dr Tang warns.
“This is a medical emergency and you should call 999 or go straight to A&E,” he adds.
Alcohol poisoning is usually caused by – consuming a lot of booze in one session.
It happens when you drink faster than your body can filter it out of your blood, which can be life-threatening.
There is no minimum amount of booze that can cause alcohol poisoning. But if you consume more than 12 (about five pints of ), you’re at considerable risk.
It can reduce your body temperature, cause vomiting (with a risk of choking) and , lead to a seizure or heart attack, and stop you breathing.
In 2023, 558 people died from accidental alcohol poisoning across the UK.
Alcohol poisoning killed 558 people in the UK in 2023Credit: Getty
2. Meningitis or sepsis
A temperature, vomiting, headaches, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and drowsiness – sounds like a hangover, right?
While all common after a night of drinking, these are also symptoms of – an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord which can be very serious if not treated quickly.
The same goes for , when your body fights too hard against an infection, which presents in a similar way, with pale or blotchy skin, breathlessness, confusion, feeling sleepy, not peeing often, feeling very hot or shivery and being sick.
Both are medical emergencies. If you suspect either condition, call 999 immediately.
“Any severe or unexpected symptoms should not be ignored,” Dr Tang says.
“If you’re sweating heavily, shivering, or your heart is racing, it could be sepsis or another serious infection rather than just a hangover.”
I tested 8 hangover 'cures' - the best was a foul-tasting drink
By , Health Journalist
IF there’s one thing we can pretty much all agree on, it’s that hangovers really are awful.
From nausea, to headaches, the dreaded hangxiety and general fatigue – battling a is something we could all do with avoiding.
But if you’re not prepared to give up the booze, and fail to work for you, you may be interested in the booming market of hangover pills and potions.
There are dozens of options on the market. And as someone who has about two drinks and gets hungover, I was keen to give these supplements a try.
Some of the products are made specifically for hangovers, while others simply help to give a new lease of life when you’re feeling groggy and tired.
I followed the guidelines of the supplement- either taking it before drinking, during or the next day. So how did I get on?
1. Myrkl (£30 for 30 capsules, myrkl.co.uk)
This. Works. I’ve used this twice now and it’s absolutely helped me avoid some hangover symptoms.
I still knew I had been drinking (sadly, nothing is THAT good) but I just wasn’t as lethargic as usual, and this was following a day of drinking wine, which is notorious for causing a sore head.
2. Nutravita Electrolyte Complex 2 (£15.99 for 40 tablets, nutravita.co.uk)
I took two of these before drinking on a Saturday afternoon and then two the next morning, on the Sunday.
I tend to take electrolytes after long runs when I’ve been sweating loads, but seeing as alcohol also depletes these essential minerals, it made sense to replenish my body.
Although I didn’t notice an immediate impact, I didn’t feel as fatigued as usual on the Sunday. I was still a little bit headachy, but my energy wasn’t as low as usual.
Is it because of these tablets? I don’t know, but either way it’s a great idea to support your body by giving it the minerals it needs.
3. De-Liver-Ance (from £23.99 for three vials, loveyourliver.com)
One word: WOW. I drank three vials over a wedding weekend where my main form of fuel was rosé wine, Aperol, champagne and tequila. Yup, quite the concoction!
This mix of drinks would usually have left me clutching at my stomach for 24 hours. However, somehow I didn’t endure any form of hangover. I was tired, sure, but no headaches and no nausea.
The drink tastes foul, I’ll be honest, but it’s a few seconds of pain for basically zero hangover.
4. Tenzing Natural Energy Drink (£5.75 for 4, Tesco)
This definitely lifted my mood and gave me the energy I needed on a Thursday after Wednesday evening drinks.
Although it won’t eradicate a hangover, it helps to clear your head and allows you to feel slightly more human.
5. Vitamin Well Recover (£23.99 for 12 bottles, amazon.co.uk)
For a drink, these are a pretty impressive recovery tool. As the name of the drink suggests, they do indeed help the body to ‘recover’.
The amount of sugar in these is a bit off putting at 21g per 500ml bottle. But they definitely do provide a little boost amid the hangover grogginess.
I necked a bottle one morning after a night of tequila and felt pretty chirpy.
6. Dr Teal’s Relax & Relief with Eucalyptus & Spearmint Epsom Salts (£7.19, amazon.co.uk)
I’m unsure if it was the bath or the Epsom salts that helped cure my Sunday hangover.
But I felt groggy before this salt bath, and after, I felt alive. This is certainly a useful tool to have in the hangover recovery box.
7. Better You Lights-out Nightly Oral Spray (£19.95, betteryou.com)
I can have two glasses of wine and my sleep will be atrocious.
This spray genuinely improved my slumber, helping me to stay asleep, rather than waking up with a dry mouth and sore head in the middle of the night.
8. Nourished Party Proofed Life Stack (£28 for 28 servings, get-nourished.com)
Each gummy comes in a white (plastic-free) packet, so no matter where you are, this is easy to transport with zero mess.
I took this the morning after a boozy wedding; I felt no different. However, it was great to know I was giving my body a hit on nutrients that it needed after a day of booze. This tastes really good too.
You can read my full verdicts .
3. Stroke or blood clot
Even and blood clots share some symptoms with a .
“A sudden, severe headache, vision changes, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of the body could indicate a stroke or blood clot,” Dr Enayat, found of HUM2N , says.
A is when blood stops flowing to a part of your brain. More than 100,000 people have one every year in the UK.
While more common in older people, it can happen at any age and requires urgent medical treatment.
A is a clump of blood that has thickened. While not necessarily life-threatening on their own, they can block blood supply to your lungs.
4. Stomach ulcer
Most of us have woken up after a big night out with a horrible .
It’s especially common if you’ve been mixing drinks or had a greasy kebab or cheesy chips on the way home.
“But intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or blood in your vomit or stools could indicate a stomach ulcer,” Dr Enayat says.
These sores can often be successfully treated with , but some people go on to experience internal bleeding, iron deficiency anaemia, a hole in their stomach, and an increased risk of .
If you think you may have a stomach ulcer, which patients often describe as causing a burning sensation, speak to your .
5. Pancreatitis
The same symptoms could also indicate – when the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.
Most people start to feel better within a week and have no further problems, but some people go on to develop serious complications.
These include sacs of fluid, necrosis (tissue death), infection and organ failure.
6. Alcohol withdrawal
Finally, your ‘hangover’ might actually be alcohol withdrawal.
“If you’ve recently cut down after drinking heavily, shaking, agitation or hallucinations might mean you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal, which requires medical support,” Dr Tang says.
“Trust your instincts. If your hangover feels out of proportion, or you’re getting new or worrying symptoms, don’t ignore them. It’s always safer to get checked.”
Try swapping dark drinks for lighter ones to feel better the next dayCredit: Getty
How to feel better (and what not to do)
When it comes to recovery, Dr Tang says there’s no quick fix.
“Despite all the supposed miracle cures, the basics really are the best: rehydrate, rest, and eat something light like toast, bananas or soup to steady your blood sugar,” he says.
can help, but he advises using them carefully.
“A gentle painkiller such as paracetamol is fine, but go easy on ibuprofen as it can irritate your stomach,” Dr Tang adds.
“And definitely skip the ‘hair of the dog’. More alcohol just delays your recovery.
“Your liver needs time to process what’s already there. The only real cure is time, fluids and sleep.”
How to avoid a hangover in the first place
Prevention is always easier than cure.
“The most effective strategy is moderation,” Dr Enayat says.
“Limiting how much and how quickly you drink gives your body time to metabolise the alcohol.”
“Always eat before and during drinking to slow absorption and protect your stomach lining, and alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated.”
Your Christmas party survival kit
By , Assistant Head of Health
DO you hear those sleigh bells jingling? is coming – cue everyone and their dog coming out of the woodwork wanting to “get together” simply because the fairy lights are on.
Well, if we can’t let our down at this time of year, when can we?
If we didn’t have , and families to manage, the festive season and its accompanying late nights, indulgences and stress wouldn’t take such a toll.
But we do, and it can wreak havoc on our wellbeing, waistline, and more.
Whatever your concern, here’s , so you feel joyful, not drained, this party season.
Sink the pre-drink
- Try: PrePear Korean Pear Hangover Juice, £16 for six
Prime the body for fizz with pear juice from Korea, where it’s a pre-party ritual.
One study showed drinkers downing pear juice before had up to 21 per cent fewer hangover symptoms.
It’s thought the dihydromyricetin (DMH) compound boosts the activity of two key enzymes responsible for breaking down alcohol. It’s a natural way to save the next day.
Get a glow-up
- Try: Nourished Skin+ Glow Nutrient Stacks Gummies, £19.99 for 30
The mince pies, cold and lack of may see your “glow” take a hit.
These gummies are made with seven layers, each offering a different vitamin. This means you don’t need to splash out on multiple supps, and they’re great for on the go.
You can create your stack online and personalise it to your needs, or buy pre-made skin and hair stacks.
Rehydrate, rehydrate!
- Try: Selfish Supps Hydrate Me Pink Lemonade, £29 for 300g
Why sip water, when you can sip electrolytes? While they are mainly used as a sports recovery drink, they’ve quickly become a go-to hangover cure.
Alcohol causes fluid loss, which also means a depletion of essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which is why you might crave rich, salty foods like a fry-up.
Instead, reach for a drink packed with electrolytes.
Find a happy high
- Try: Happy Tuesdays Post-Rave Wellness Pack, £38.99 for six
Save these raver-certified pouches to prevent a crash after a big weekend.
Each contains five capsules taken before you head out, covering 26 nutrients.
The design aims to keep the nervous system calm, replenish brain chemicals like serotonin, and support sleep.
Take a shot
- Try: Vadasz Kimchi Shot, £2
Oh, how the gut suffers in December. There are zero Christmas rituals that feed the “good” we need in order to be in optimal . is one of the richest sources of probiotics.
The fermented cabbage can be added to any dish – but it’s even easier to take as a shot, such as this new launch from Vadasz, which may ease a hangover by boosting B vitamins.
D-fend your body
- Try: BetterYou Vitamin D3000+K2 Oral Spray, £10.99
Christmas parties (and the hangovers that follow) are spent in dark rooms – but we need the sunshine (well, vitamin D) to stay well.
Our skin converts sunshine into vitamin D3, which helps the body to absorb calcium – vital for keeping bones and healthy.
Vitamin D can also contribute to the healthy functioning of the immune system.
The recommends everyone takes at least 10mg of vitamin D each day over – and BetterYou’s oral spray has 75mg, rapidly delivered to the bloodstream via the mouth. The addition of K2 ensures calcium gets to where it’s needed in the body.
Focus with fungi
- Try: Dirtea Mushroom Coffee Sachets, £12.99 for seven
You’re lacking focus at work and need a pick-me-up, but your body is begging you to ease up on the caffeine – sound familiar?
Dirtea’s Mushroom has up to 80 per cent less caffeine than your regular brew, instead powered by B vitamins and lion’s mane – a mushroom that could help with focus, as well as support cognitive function and peak mental performance.
Though the scientific evidence is still in its infancy, growing numbers of wellness fans swear by our fungal friends – we’ll let you be the judge.
Send yourself to sleep
- Try: Tisserand Sleep Better range, including Bath Oil, £14, Pillow Mist, £13, and Pulse Point Roller Ball, £9.50
With late nights powered by , you’re going to rack up some sleep debt.
Struggling to drift off with an out-of-whack body clock?
Make the bedroom as inviting as possible with blackout curtains, a cool temperature (avoid having the heating on high) and some calming aromas – such as lavender, sandalwood and jasmine. Aaand relax. . .
Dr Tang adds: “There are also more zero per cent and low-alcohol options than ever before, so you can still enjoy a night out without overdoing it.”
You could also try switching your drinks up, swapping dark ales and rum for G&Ts.
“Lighter-coloured drinks tend to produce fewer congeners – that’s the chemical by-products of fermentation that make hangovers worse,” Dr Tang says.
“So swapping dark spirits and red wine for gin or vodka can help a little. And if you can, make sure you get a decent night’s sleep afterwards.”
When to see a doctor
Finally, Dr Tang emphasises that some symptoms should never be ignored.
“If you’re vomiting repeatedly and can’t keep fluids down, feeling confused or drowsy, have chest pain or shortness of breath, or your symptoms last more than 48 hours, don’t brush it off as a bad hangover,” he says.
“Most hangovers are just unpleasant reminders to take it easier next time.
“But sometimes, they can mask something much more serious. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always better to be safe and get checked.”
