Ethanol is a potent drug and a depressant. This is a well-known fact. Nevertheless, the culture of alcohol consumption has firmly taken root in the life of every resident of economically developed countries. Drink men, women and even teenagers. When abusing ethanol-containing drinks in the morning, a severe headache often occurs. This is an inevitable companion of the hangover syndrome. Alcohol lovers have a question: what to do when a headache after drinking? You will learn the answer from this article.
Why does a headache occur after alcohol abuse?
In people sensitive to ethanol, a strong migraine causes the adoption of even one hundred grams of a strong drink (vodka, whiskey or cognac). In physically strong men, with alcohol abuse, a headache develops in about 80% of cases. This is facilitated by the following processes in the body.
- Severe dehydration and water-salt imbalance. Alcohol intake strikes the urinary system. Suffer kidneys, ureters, bladder. Lack of fluid negatively affects the vessels of the brain, they are stressed and this is manifested by a headache.
- The liver works for wear, throws all its forces to suppress intoxication due to the use of alcoholic beverages. There is a breakdown in glucose metabolism (which is the main food for the brain). As a result, our brain again suffers: it experiences a serious glucose deficiency, and this is the cause of severe pain. In some cases, organic lesions of the brain may develop against this background.
- Spasm of the vessels. Violations of the cardiovascular system during the abuse of ethanol-containing drinks provoke edema and inflammation, severe headache.
- Sleep problems are common to avid drinkers. Often they are chased by insomnia for several days. It is in this state that alcohol delirium occurs, popularly known as the "squirrel." In this condition, a headache is what least worries the patient.
Damage to the vascular system and brain
As it became clear from the causes of headache during intoxication with alcohol decay products, it occurs mainly due to damage to some parts of the brain.
During a feast or party, the decomposition products of ethanol first accumulate, then they are absorbed into the blood. As a result, each organ, each system of the body of an alcoholic receives its share of "poison". Due to enzymes, ethanol is split into acetaldehyde, then into acetate, then into acetyl coenzyme and finally into carbon dioxide and water. This is a very complex chemical process. And not only the liver and pancreas play a role in it, but also the human brain.
The following processes occur:
- damage to brain cells that regulate muscle function;
- failure of vegetative response;
- complete disruption of the functioning of the endocrine system (restored over time);
- development of a hypertensive crisis and serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
When exposed to alcohol poison, oxygen access to cells is disrupted, oxygen starvation (hypoxia) occurs. The unlucky alcoholic perceives this process as fun, intoxication, euphoria, and in the morning - a severe headache and all the "charm" of a hangover, and then withdrawal symptoms.
The principle of drug choice for a hangover headache
The answer to the question "why does the head ache after alcohol and what to do to make it go away?" does not have a clear answer. With a hangover syndrome, the body is so weakened that taking potent anesthetics can cause serious side effects.
The liver and pancreas are weakened by the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid, and a new blow to it with toxic Paracetamol or Analgin leads to fatty degeneration. As a result, over time, fatty hepatosis appears, toxic hepatitis, progressive cirrhosis may develop. What should I do if my head hurts after alcohol and you can’t take medicine? You can try one of the popular methods, which will be described below.
Potential anesthetics should not be preferred if the patient has congenital or acquired chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, thyroid gland, heart failure.
Analgesics for headache
The most popular drugs of this class:
- "Aspirin";
- "Analgin";
- "Baralgin";
- Solpadein.
The latter also has codeine in its composition, and today it is included in the list of potent drugs. However, this does not stop the unlucky booze: what should I do if I have a headache after alcohol, and besides Solpadein, there is nothing in stock? Of course, people accept him too. Such a frivolous attitude to taking medications is unacceptable.
As a one-off remedy for a hangover migraine, you can take one Aspirin or Analgin tablet - these are the mildest and relatively safe drugs from the class of analgesics.
Antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Effectively and quickly relieve headaches. But taking them on an ongoing basis is fraught with health problems: in particular, toxic hepatitis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs occupy a special place in the series of painkillers. And although almost all of them have analgesic effects, here is a list of the most popular and relatively safe side effects in terms of appearance:
- Ibuprofen
- Diclofenac
- Naproxen
- Ketorolac.
"Paracetamol" and products based on it
What should I do when my head hurts after alcohol, and only Paracetamol is available? In acute pain, half a tablet of 250 mg is allowed (a whole tablet of 500 mg). Often you can not use this tool, since it is quite toxic to all internal organs.
There are many painkillers and antipyretic drugs based on the active substance paracetamol. They are also acceptable to take if a person thinks about what to do if a headache after alcohol. This is “Fervex”, “Teraflu”, “Coldrex”. In addition to relieving migraines, these medications can relieve the first signs of troubles and give energy for the whole day due to the content of ascorbic acid. Some of them also include a caffeine stimulant.
Succinic acid and Limontar
A mild and safe remedy of the domestic company Biotiki called Limontar is one of the best drugs for relieving manifestations of a hangover syndrome. The cost of packaging is about one hundred rubles per hundred tablets. The composition includes succinic and citric acids. "Limontar" is not an analgesic or antispasmodic, but it is able to have a beneficial effect on metabolism, thereby mitigating a hangover and withdrawal syndrome.
Doctors have long recommended after a stormy party to use funds that include succinic acid. It supports the liver and pancreas, reduces the general intoxication of the body.
"Glycine" from a hangover headache
Another drug from the company "Biotiki". It is a dietary supplement and is not perceived by many patients as a serious medicine. And in vain: "Glycine" is an amino acid that beneficially affects all parts of the brain.
With a hangover, this is the same pill that will relieve panic and guilt, relieve headaches and help establish sleep. After taking Glycine, the hangover goes away quickly. It is strictly forbidden to perform any active exercises, do cleaning or go for a run with a hangover - such actions often become the cause of heart failure.
What to do at home if headache after drinking
Household alcoholics drink once every one to two weeks until the state of a hangover syndrome. But at the same time they do not consider themselves dependent people - after all, they "work and do not wallow in a ditch." Such people often even try to take care of their health and think: what should I do if my head hurts after drinking at home?
In fact, with a hangover, it is really better to dispense with folk recipes for migraines and not burden with the use of pharmacological agents an already tormented body with ethanol.
Here are a number of effective tips for relieving a severe headache on your own:
- massage the temples, alternating strong pressure with a mild effect;
- if the patient has osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is also necessary to massage the neck and shoulders;
- drink strong black tea, adding plenty of sugar to it (to replenish the level of glucose in the blood);
- for the same purpose, eat something sweet with a minimum fat content (so as not to once again load the liver and pancreas);
- drink a rich chicken broth - it will improve overall well-being and help reduce pain symptoms;
- take a contrast shower, bath.
The psychological aspect of the problem
In order not to suffer and not to think "when my head hurts after alcohol, what should I do and how to be treated?" You can conduct a short psychological analysis of the causes of such behavior. What makes a person drink so much that he suffers a hangover in the morning? Usually people on the eve of alcohol are not inclined to ask similar philosophical questions.
The nature of a hangover migraine can be so severe that it seems to the patient that his head is about to burst. This is really a very serious condition, and at least a day, or even two, must be rested. But the most important thing is to find the cause of alcohol abuse and try to prevent a recurrence of the situation.
Medical tips and tricks
Here are some simple medical advice for you if you have a bad headache after drinking alcohol. What to do in such a situation, so as not to aggravate the condition?
- If the patient has already taken one tablet and the pain does not go away, it is strictly forbidden to take the next one or mix it with other drugs.
- After alcohol, it is extremely undesirable to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, strong analgesics and other substances that can increase the toxic load on the body.
- After serious poisoning with ethanol in some cases (especially with heavy drinking), professional help is needed: call an ambulance. With a critical hangover, this can save the patient's life.
- What to do: the head hurts very much and does not go away either after taking the pill, or after eating and drinking hot water - you need to call an ambulance or contact a hospital. Perhaps this is a consequence of organic changes in the brain.
- Enterosorbents ("Enterosgel", "Activated Carbon") will effectively help reduce general intoxication with hangover and withdrawal symptoms. They will not help to overcome a headache, but will contribute to its gradual decrease.
The easiest way to avoid a headache with a hangover
A commonplace, but at the same time the most effective way to avoid a headache the next morning after a party is not to abuse alcohol. Every adult knows his measure, after the adoption of which he becomes ill. If after one or two serious hangovers the patient continues to abuse, it is a loss of a sense of control over the drunk. Such a person is a potential visitor to the drug treatment room. He often has a headache after alcohol, what he does not know at the same time.
Over time, dosages will become higher, hand tremor, fever, chronic pancreatitis, persistent heartburn and upset stools will join headaches and nausea. After a few more years, the situation will become even worse: alcoholism is a progressive disease.
The question "what if my head hurts after alcohol?" unfamiliar to people who have no problems with the amount of drunk, who have not lost control over their behavior and who are not potential alcoholics.