If you plan on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by overindulging on Guinness or green beer, don’t be surprised if you wake up with a headache tomorrow. We all know that excessive drinking can lead to a hangover, but exactly is a hangover? We tackle that question today on the blog.
The exact scientific cause of a hangover hasn’t been pinpointed, but researchers believe it’s caused by a combination of three processes inside your body.
Dehydration – One of the main factors in a hangover is the fact that you’re dehydrated. One of the functions of your pituitary gland is to produce vassopressin, a hormone that prevents your body from losing excess water through your urine. When alcohol hits your system, your brain essentially tells your body to decrease vassopression production. This leads to extra water loss in your urine (and is the big reason why you have to go to the bathroom more often after you’ve had a few drinks). The more you drink, the more water your body will expel, leading to dehydration, which is a main contributor to headaches, fatigue and nausea.
Toxins in Alcohol – Alcohol contains “congeners,” which are alcohol derivatives that are byproducts of the fermentation process. These congeners cause a number of problems inside your body, which can contribute to your hangover. Typically these congeners are found in greater concentration in dark liquors like whiskey of brandy, so drink your Jameson and Bushmill’s in moderation.
Another toxin found in alcohol is acetaldehyde. Thankfully, your body produces a chemical called gluathoine, which breaks down acetaldehyde. That said, when you drink in excess, your body can’t produce enough gluathoine to get rid of the acetaldehyde. That leaves you with excess acetaldehyde in your system, a toxin which also contributes to headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Sleep Problems – Alcohol causes your brain to suppress a chemical called glutamine, which helps regulate your sleep. Once you stop drinking, your body overproduces glutamine in an effort to rebound from your drinking session. This increased level of glutamine in your body interupts your regenerative sleep, which leaves you feeling fatigued the next day.
So if you want to celebrate tonight, stay away from excess alcohol, especially dark liquor, and be sure to hydrate between drinks. Have a fun and safe holiday!
Related Source: My House Call MD
