Talk:Hangover

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 Hangover was a good article nominee, but did not meet the good article criteria at the time. There are suggestions below for improving the article. Once these are addressed, the article can be renominated. Editors may also seek a reassessment of the decision if they believe there was a mistake.

Reviewed version: February 18, 2007
WikiProject Medicine This article is within the scope of WikiProject Medicine. Please visit the project page for details or ask questions at the doctor's mess.
B This page has been rated as B-Class on the quality assessment scale
Mid This article has been rated as Mid-importance on the importance assessment scale


Contents

[edit] Please keep the introductary paragraph short

List what a hangover is, what the symptoms are, and the proposed causes. Please put the rest into their corresponding paragraphs (causes, etc...) to keep the article as neat and trim as possible. AStudent 23:03, 11 June 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Please do not add www.HangoverReview.com to external links

www.HangoverReview.com is just a front for www.HangoverStopper.com, i.e. it is purely commercial. Their respective IP addresses are 70.86.54.114 and 70.86.54.115, and their respective account IDs with Google statistics (viewable in their home pages' HTML suorce) are "UA-54710-4" and "UA-54710-1". Combine this with the fact that the page actively plugs Hangover Stopper, and it is evident that this page is the web equivalent of an infomercial. --ReverendDave 20:08, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Zyrtec (cetirizine HCl)

A lot of people here in Norway tout taking 1 or 2 tablets of "Zyrtec" (which I've found has the active ingredient "cetirizine") before drinking. This is an allergy medicine. Would there be any good reason for this - and should it be included in the Remedies-section? Stolsvik 17:15, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Prevention" section?

There should maybe be a specificd section about "Preventing"? (As I understand "Remedy" as being somewhat "after the fact"?) Stolsvik 17:15, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Why were Charcoal and Calcium Carbonate not listed in the possible prevention section. There are over the counter remedies that contain these substances. Is there no scientific data recorded to back this theory up? Or did it just not get mentioned? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 65.247.121.5 (talk) 21:20, August 20, 2007 (UTC)

Why is the traditional method of drinking a liter (or two!) of water not mentioned? Just before going to bed (as prevention) and upon waking (remedy.) Because it is effective, but stymies the more commercial aspects? --Connel MacKenzie - wikt 19:52, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Flavour compounds?

The part of the article about flavour compounds playing a part in the hangover seems very much like the commonfolk generalization of "this type of booze gives you worse hangovers, and that type does not". Can anyone back it up with factual research?

I'm removing it as it doesn't cite sources, and smacks of supposition. Feel free to add it back if you can provide a source other than empirical knowledge.


Describe the new page here. I am quite concerned about my drinking...I am definately not a typical alcoholic cos when i have a hangover it puts me off drink for at least three days...but it always creeps back in and socially, i find it hard to resist going on the "piss" with my friends every weekend. its going on about 8 years of hard drinking every weekend and im only 23.I know I have the willpower to stop, and I am seriously considering it after this weekend seeing as I really went overboard and thought I was going to die I felt so awful the next day. Can you tell me if I have already gone too far? I am scared of the damage I am causing myself...my liver and kidneys etc. My email address is twentiesgal@hotmail.com I d really appreciate if someone could email me back about this... Best regards.


Wikipedia is not a proper forum to give you advice. However, I would strongly urge you to consult your doctor. She or he can provide you with all the information you need. Alcoholism is an addiction and can be very difficult to face alone but a medical professional can counsel you as to the best ways of getting rid of it. Good luck to you. - montréalais

The last paragraph in particular seems something other than NPOV -- slightly condemnatory of, or at least condescending towards, drinking. --Calieber 20:56, 17 Oct 2003 (UTC)

[edit] Genetic thing

I know that some people (Amerindians?) get drunk with less alcohol than others. Is there a correlation with having stronger hangovers or can both effects be independent?

[edit] Age also a factor?

Several anecdotal reports suggest that age is also a factor. Should this be included along with the genetic connection?

Can anyone point to medical factors which support this theory?

[edit] Sugar affects hangovers?

Is there a source or explanation of how sugar affects hangovers?

I have no real sources, but out of personal experience and storys, I can tell you that sweeter beverages get you more drunk. Perhaps the article on alcohol as some info. I assume if that something gets you drunker, it will also increase the hangover. This is all speculation, though.--Kasperl 13:55, 23 Sep 2004 (UTC)
I moderated the section about sugar causing hangovers for lack of evidence. --Joe Jarvis 02:43, Sep 26, 2004 (UTC)
That section includes a statement that sugar both does and then further down does not affect the hangover, one of them should probably be deleted. Dwade21 18:06, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Recipes?

Should the recipes in this article be moved to the Wikibooks Cookbook? -leigh (φθόγγος) 06:23, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] what about steam rooms and saunas?

From personal experience I can tell you that one hour in a sauana or 30 minutes in a steam room is a better hangover cure then all of the ones listed. Maybe someone with some grammatical aptitude could add it into the article.

-Actually, a major cause of hangover is dehydration. Therefore, spending time in a steam room or sauna exacerbates a hangover. Hydration is what a person needs to counter a hangover.David Justin 02:47, 13 December 2005 (UTC)


-Yes, but Steam Rooms and Saunas help sweat out the toxins, so if one drinks plenty of water before and after their visit to the SR or S, dehydration will not be a problem.

- You cannot "sweat out" toxins in a steam room. This is purely a myth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.73.75.201 (talk) 19:45, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

-Disagree. Although sweating, by nature, is the bodies way of cooling off, toxins present in the body are naturally elminated through the glands which produce sweat. Hydration before and after the use of a steam room or sauna would be recommended for anyone utilising them. It is not a myth that toxins are eliminated through the bodies pores. I would recommend this process only to healthy individuals that have had prior experience using them. Additionally, it would not be a bad idea to be accompanied by another person when using a steam room or sauna. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.203.222.119 (talk) 18:23, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

The are major differences between steam rooms and saunas. Steam rooms produce much less sweat. Steam rooms are also the preferred hangover cure in Russia and the former Soviet Union. Saunas produce a lot of sweat, and may not help with rehydrating, but both are effective. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.143.169.189 (talk) 03:40, 10 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Sleep Apnea

Alcohol has been shown to cause sleep apnea in persons who do not normally have it. Sleep apnea in turn, is known to cause severe headaches (I can attest to that from first-hand experience). I added that information, but somebody who thought he knew better deleted my contribution -- HowardLeeHarkness

Well, it may have to do with source support. There must be studies linking alcohol to sleep apnea. JFW | T@lk 23:04, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Citations

A lot things in this article need citations. I removed the following:

...Although it's a well known fact that smokers get less drunk than non smokers whilst drinking - this was in New Scientist magazine.
Taurine has been touted as a cure all for liver problems associated with drinking. Taurine is the main ingredient in Red Bull and similar energy drinks. Some governments have banned this drink completely although it now seems that liver problems caused by a fatty liver which occurs when drinking can be slowed and even reversed by taking Taurine.

The first sentence is unencyclopedic and if such an article exists, we need a citation. The paragraph that follows also needs a citation (and a rewrite).

Jrkarp 22:35, 4 January 2006 (UTC)

day/night cold and flu tablets do wonders as long as you can keep them down. drop a couple of day-time if your off to work, or night-time if your after some sleep.

This line is more opinion and advice than a fact. Phrasing and spelling poor too. I suspect that these would only act as painkillers, masking the hangover rather than curing it.

[edit] Origin of the term, hangover

Hi,

I've never written in Wikipedia before but I thought that this might be useful information.

The origin of the term hangover actually comes from London. I'm not sure of the year but there used to be a weekly gathering of everyone in the town for the hangings that took place that week. On the roads that people traveled to the hanging, many shops used to give out beer and liquor. So, many were intoxicated when they got to the place of hanging.

When people drank a lot, the next morning they would feel ill and they called it a hang over.

The phrase on the wagon came from the wagon driver which wouldn't drink on the way to the hanging. He was said to be, on the wagon.

[edit] Pickle Juice?

This should probably be under fictional cures, right? The salt will dehydrate you even more.

(I thought salt was GOOD for hydration. no?)

No, salt is definatly BAD for hydration- thats why salted snacks are free in some bars- it makes you want to drink.--Firbolag 23:33, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

Salt should be good because it helps your body retain water, thus preventing dehydration. Thats why many sports drinks have high salt contents.

Sodium is an essential nutrient but excess salt in your diet can contribute to dehydration. It's not a way to cure a hangover or rehydrate yourself. There are various salts in some sports drinks because they are used to replace salts lost during excercise, sweating and urination. They don't actually help hydrate you. Water is what hydrates you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.73.75.201 (talk) 19:49, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

Wrong and right. Salt, NaCl, is for the body to easily transfer water into its cells. Without salt, no water into the cells, and with no water, yes, then no water into the cells (simply explained). So it would be pretty useless to just eat food with salt in it, or just drink water: combine the two. Read about this in the articles about osmosis and diffusion. Grinder0-0 20:00, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] genetics

"Genetics also plays a part, as some people seldom, if ever, suffer hangover symptoms no matter how much they drink". correct me if im wrong but isn't "genetics" like saying "design is responsible"? it can be anything in the "design" of a human (edit: I don't mean "intelligent design" of course)

This is horsesh*t. Obviously some people can process alcohol better than others but it is impossible for someone to go out and drink 15 beers (for example) and feel perfectly normal the next day. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.191.160.175 (talk) 01:44, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

It's not impossible at all, you have stated no evidence to back it up. I have seen more consumed with no adverse effects. Genetics must play a part in these people, but until the gene is isolated, this is pure conjecture. However, I have personally witnessed more than 15 (drinks) consumed in one night with no adverse effects the following day. To say that's impossible is not your judgment call to make. - Josh Nelson, Vancouver Island, Canada —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.67.192.72 (talk) 21:15, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cure

In the industry the best known hangover cure is time JayKeaton 00:16, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

That's an utterly pointless and obvious point. Snowbound 06:07, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tolerable Excuse

The intro said, "It is generally considered a tolerated excuse for missing work or school as there is no known immediate cure." That's completely ridiculous. If I had ever used a hangover as an excuse for missing school, I probably would have been suspended. I imagine employers don't look too highly on it either. It may be necessary to miss work when you have a hangover, but it's not necessary to get a hangover so it's hardly a tolerable excuse. I've excised this. Superm401 - Talk 05:44, 31 July 2006 (UTC) Well I hate to say it, but he is correct. Time is the best cure, I do not see why it should be excluded from this article.

Jaykeaton said - In the industry the best known hangover cure is time. I'm sorry but why did you even bother posting that comment. It's both pointless and twatish. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 156.133.50.12 (talk) 10:53, 19 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What the hell?

"Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly."

Any scientific source for this?

  • I found this here: "The body quickly compensates for water loss by borrowing water from other organs, such as the brain. This causes the brain to shrink away from the skull. Although the brain has no pain sensation, it has a covering called the dura that is connected to the skull by pain-sensitive filaments. If the brain shrinks during dehydration, the dura can become disformed, causing headaches...Stanford Daily, Aches, pains and dehydration: the science of a hangover, 25 November 1998". Haven't checked out the cited source, but thought I would put it here for you to check into.--198.37.16.228 06:41, 19 September 2006 (UTC)
  • Regardless, does it really have anything to do with hangovers? "Oh, by the way, dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull" with no note as to what that means, etc
  • Well, if you read the quotation, you'll notice the last part explaining exactly what it means. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.67.192.72 (talk) 21:21, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Contradiction

I want to point out that in the section for "Supposed Remedies" it states that one should be wary of some day/night cold and flu tablets that contain paracetamol as it should not be mixed with alcohol, but 4 bullets below it mentions something about preemptive strikes by using Tylenol or ibuprofin. Tylenol is paracetamol. These statements are to be contradictory.

Tylenol is acetamenifen, not "paracetamol". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.73.75.201 (talk) 19:52, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

Acetaminophen and Paracetamol are the same thing, the first is the American name, the second the European name. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.2.125.216 (talk) 09:57, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] "Using the bathroom"

Using the bathroom will help eliminate nausea? What exactly does that mean? Throwing up? Urinating? C'mon...

[edit] Pot Noodles???

I don't know who thinks pot noodles help a hangover, but I've never heard of that in any form.Rookie Rover 16:16, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

from personal expiriance, this does seem to help. My guess its just heavy foor help, the liquid could help rehydrate and a possible mental factor may be involved.

[edit] Re: Origin of the term, hangover (sources?)

that's a great account, but does anyone have any sources for this info?

[edit] Nicotine contradiction

In the beginning of the article it mentions "Nicotine consumption can often worsen hangovers, as smokers tend to smoke much more than usual while under the influence of alcohol." but later in the article it says that nicotine clears up the effects of hangovers. These two completley disgaree with one another...is there proof/support for either one being correct? Any proof that smokers smoke more while intoxicated, or is that just something we all think? Rrten00 15:13, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Red Wine Headache

This seems like a special case of a hangover. Certainly, if I had a red wine headache and wanted to find out more on Wikipedia, I would head to this article first. Thus, proposed merger. --Ginkgo100 talk 21:58, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

Red Wine Headache is not a hangover. It can hit a person within 15 minutes of having a single glass. That same person might drink 3 glasses of white wine or other alcoholic drinks with no effect. Red Wine Headache is sometimes mistaken for a migraine because of the severe headache and because the person knows they did not drink to excess. It is not a reaction to alcohol but rather to tannins, histamines, or prostaglandins found in red wines.


A compound in red wine, not present in other alcohols, specifically causes migraines. [Littlewood, et al (1988) Lancet, 1:558-9. Trethewie and Khaled (1972) Br Med J 3:290-1.] 141.157.12.34 06:54, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Would staying up prevent a hang over?

Theoretically would you still get a hangover if you stayed awake? i have never tired it but i think it might be something to study.--65.30.202.245 03:12, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Trust me, it doesn't. MrAngy 11:52, 24 December 2006 (UTC)
True, it doesn't really work, but I would say that if you stay awake for a considerable number of hours after drinking then get up late, your hangover won't be as bad.--h i s s p a c e r e s e a r c h 09:26, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
Hey I think you might be on to something. If you "aim" your sleep when the hangover is going to hit you the worst by waiting until the hangover symptoms are about to start shouldn't you be able to cut a few hours off the hangover? You still have the hangover for the same length of time, but it still seems like a partial remedy to me.76.31.64.54 (talk) 05:16, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Caffeine

"(It should be noted that caffeine is a diuretic, which would further dehydrate the body. This is generally not a recommended remedy. Thus, tea, especially green tea, is indicated.)" While it is generally understood that caffeine is a diuretic, studies show that a cup of normal coffee or tea is a net gain in fluid. http://www.ific.org/foodinsight/2002/ja/caffdehydnbfi402.cfm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm

[edit] Copyright

If you have contributed significantly to this article before late 2004, I would appreciate it if you sent a DMCA takedown notice. A site called "Fitness pills" is violating Wikipedia's license (GFDL). More information is available at called Wikipedia:Mirrors and forks#Fitness pills. Please ask me if you have questions. Superm401 - Talk 03:12, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Remedies

These were removed from the article. While I agree that this had developed severe listcruft, surely some citations exist for some of these. Moved to talk page so people have an idea what to search for.

[edit] Potentially beneficial remedies

  • Aspirin: - acetylsalicylic acid, taken before turning in to bed (before, not after sleeping), might be effective.
  • Consuming 3 grams of Butyl hydroxy toluen (BHT) prior to drinking is said to counter hangovers, by detoxifying acetaldehyde (presumably replacing gluthatione.) BHT in this case is supposed to also block alcohol metabolism, so the person will stay drunk longer.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
  • Another possible remedy is the consumption of motion-sickness medicine or over the counter allergy medicine.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Specifially, consuming cetirizine prior to consuming alcohol is reported to counter the hangover.


-aspirin can irritate the stomach and paracetamol/ibuprofen can interfere with liver function. id go for aspirin for obvious reasons but within the recommended dosage of paracetamol/ibuprofen should cause no ill effects. Also certainly don't take before sleep

    • Someone suggested in the article itself that taking aspirin or paracetamol before going to sleep may be effective in "eliminating" a hangover. Yeah, it might just "eliminate" your life as well. Since this is a dangerous thing to suggest, I removed it without asking anyone first. It may very well have been put there as outright vandalism rather than just ignorance. Nejtan (talk) 00:32, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Supposed remedies

{{inappropriate tone}} {{originalresearch}} Note: Most of these have not been scientifically tested or reviewed in the above articles.

  • Water: this has been recommended scientifically. Hangovers are mainly dehydration; therefore drinking water before, during and after a drinking session will greatly decrease any hangover symptoms. A glass of water between each alcoholic drink is the best way to reduce hangover, as you won't easily become dehydrated; this also causes you to drink fewer alcoholic beverages. Drink as much water before sleeping as possible (within reason). It may not totally prevent a hangover but it will reduce headache. Continuing to drink water may help to alleviate symptoms more quickly.
  • Nux vomica (homeopathic remedy)
  • Milk Thistle
  • Angostura bitters and soda water
  • Defecation
  • Vomiting
  • Professional massage, reflexology (foot), and other detoxifying practices.
  • A glass of buttermilk. Though many people dislike buttermilk, it will calm down your stomach and add liquid to the body.
  • Having sex (or masturbation) may increase the release of endorphins, which in turn may help reduce the effect of a hangover.
  • Drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Caffeine increases the effectiveness of analgesics, and therefore may reduce headache severity when used with aspirin or similar medicines. Coffee has also been shown in some studies to have a protective effect on the liver, effective in preventing alcoholic liver disease. (Caffeine is a diuretic, which would further dehydrate the body. This is generally not a recommended remedy. Thus, tea, especially green tea, is indicated.)
  • Nicotine, once again much like caffeine, increases the effectiveness of analgesics and its stimulant effects diminishes many hangover symptoms.
  • Cabbage leaves or tomato juice
  • Bloody Mary
  • Michelada (popular in Mexico; one part tomato juice, one part beer, a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and/or Maggi sauce or Soy sauce)
  • Mixing in a tall glass two raw eggs with pepper, Tabasco sauce, and gin. Although the cysteine in the egg yolk may have a mild benefit, the pepper, Tabasco, and gin will have a negative impact. Colloquially known as a "Prairie Oyster".
  • Drinking more alcohol is scientifically proven (see hair of the dog), a well-liked remedy. This will, however, only delay the hangover
  • Eating seafood is a popular "remedy" in Chile.
  • Coca Cola or Pepsi-Cola, otherwise known as "Black Aspirin" (popular in Australia), also "The Red Ambulance" (South African); the caffeine, bubbles and sugar can be easier to hold down than pure water. Moreover, the low pH helps the enzymes in the stomach and the sucrose partially compensates the inhibition of the gluconeogenesis.
  • Taking a shower and oscillating between extreme cold and hot temperatures. This practice has no effect on the hangover and can be unhealthy. Seen in the movie The Princess Bride.
  • Eating canned asparagus before going to bed, purportedly a good cure thanks to the diuretic effects of asparagus. Again, diuretics compound the problem.
  • Ginseng tea is given to relieve the effects of alcohol. If useful, it may be for its antioxidant and-or vasodilatation / microcirculation properties.
  • Drinking a couple of table spoons of olive oil is said to be of great help

Common folk medicine has a wide variety of supposed hangover cures. A good hangover cure should replace essential nutrients lost by the body while counteracting the influence of residual poisons; very few cures do both at once. Among the more common proposed cures are:

  • Eating menudo, a very common remedy in Mexico; said to greatly alleviate almost any symptom.
  • Drinking a sports drink such as PowerAde or Gatorade, to re-hydrate and replenish lost nutrients in the body. Gatorade offers a high level of re-hydration and - if consumed before and after high amounts of drinking - can limit the effects of a hangover. Consumption of Vitamin Water, which contains high amounts of B vitamins and electrolytes often proves effective also. Pedialyte contains more electrolytes than almost any over-the-counter drug. This will help you re-hydrate your body as quickly as possible.
  • Eating as much food as you can hold down. Your pyloric valve will shrink in response to the large amount of food you consume thereby reducing any further absorption of alcohol. A large meal is likely to contain nutrients to replenish your body and may also cause drowsiness which will help you sleep while your body repairs.
  • Eating mineral-rich foods, like pickles or canned fish
  • Drinking pickle juice, the solution in which cucumbers were pickled, in the morning (a staple hangover remedy in Russia and Poland). It is sometimes suggested to add honey to the solution.
  • Eating anything substantial, especially before going to bed, to "soak up" the alcohol in the stomach (e.g. a pizza, Doner Kebab or sandwich)
  • Orange juice, which is rich in vitamin C. However, the acidic qualities of orange juice can also make hangovers worse.
  • Taking a vitamin B1 (thiamin) supplement before going to bed
  • (instant) chicken or vegetable soup provides salt, proteins and electrolytes which help attenuate hangover symptoms
  • Drinking homemade Sauerkraut juice, the solution in which the cabbage was fermented in, in the morning (a staple hangover remedy in Serbia, called rasol)
  • Irn Bru is commonly regarded as a remedy in Scotland. It is believed that the high amount of sugar is the reason for this.
  • Cysteine, which is available as the over-the-counter supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is known to assist in processing acetaldehyde, best taken while already drinking and/or before going to bed. (Egg yolk is also rich in cysteine, and it is notable that many hangover folk remedies or morning-after breakfasts incorporate eggs.)
  • Consumption of a Full English Breakfast, an Ulster Fry (popular in Northern Ireland), an Irish Breakfast or a Breakfast Roll, a meal that is an all day breakfast.
  • Day/night cold and flu tablets - Be wary of ones that contain acetaminophen (called paracetamol in the UK) as it should not be mixed with alcohol. Both alcohol and acetaminophen can affect the liver, but combined are worse.
  • Taking a dose of ibuprofen before sleeping can supposedly reduce hangover effects dramatically; however, the truth is that long term (longer than two weeks) use of ibuprofen increases the risk of stomach ulcers. Mixing ibuprofen and alcohol can cause stomach irritation and bleeding, and is highly recommended against. The adverse effects of alcohol are amplified when ibuprofen, which also can cause trouble with the liver, is taken with it. In fact, most medicines should not be taken with alcohol, so it is best to consult a medical professional before using this supposed "remedy".
  • Sleep. Some people argue that sleep only prolongs the negative effects of alcohol due to slower metabolism while asleep. However, others refute this by pointing out that one doesn't notice the negative effects of the hangover while asleep.
  • Exercise. Exercise can be painful with a hangover, but is usually very effective. It increases blood flow to the entire body, especially the head, and induces sweating, although there is no evidence that sweating helps the body purge alcohol. Certain yoga practices (above all, those that do not cause dizziness) may help. The feeling of lethargy dissipates and there is a strong mental and emotional effect where mood will improve.
  • Greasy food is an effective remedy. Full English provides much needed energy in the form of fat. Highly recommended
  • Going for a swim in cold water feels painful, but often helps to manage the headache.
  • Consuming cannabis often stimulates appetite and relieves the headache
  • Many people feel as if they are overheating when they are experiencing a hangover, therefore cold air can be a very effective cure. For example, a walk on a chilly day will usually work to alleviate the symptoms.


I think that these should be reinstated, as it is clearly stated in some cases that these are not scientificaly. Some changes should be made to the wording- ather than listing as 'highly effective' ect. it should be said that the cure 'suposedly...'--Firbolag 23:42, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

"Taking paracetamol before going to bed". The experiment that they ran on the show showed that this working. Dr Weisse believes that it probably helps to stop the inflammation before the symptoms start to occur.- http://www.helium.com/tm/830798/hangovers-caused-dehydration-seems —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.203.99.61 (talk) 13:26, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Failed "good article" nomination

This article failed good article nomination. This is how the article, as of February 18, 2007, compares against the six good article criteria:

1. Well written?: The causes section needs a lot of work. One problem is paragraphs like this, "There are various nervous effects: the removal of the depressive effects of alcohol in the brain probably account for the light and noise sensitivity." Overall I think that the section needs more structure so that is less of a laundry list of contrubiting factors. In addition, there may be some cases where the technical detail could be tamed a little or at least presented in a way that is more intelliglible to a reader not familiar with concepts such as gluconeogenesis or NADH.
2. Factually accurate?: There are not nearly enough verifiable references in the causes section.
3. Broad in coverage?: The current article does not cover all important aspects of the topic. I would expect to see a section on folk remedies. There might also be a need for sections on social effects of hangovers and hangovers in popular culture.
4. Neutral point of view?: Pass
5. Article stability? Pass
6. Images?: This could go either way. I personally think a good photo or two of hungover people would enhance the article, but I think this could pass GA without them.

When these issues are addressed, the article can be resubmitted for consideration. Thanks for your work so far. --ike9898 16:40, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

Re Assessment:
1. I don't mind the technical detail, even though I have no background in medicine, chemistry, or Biology. The "laundry list" is concise and fairly well written. Links to the technical terms would resolve the problem of esoteric terms, but elsewhere the language is simple.
3. The kind of sections you are proposing are what generally make medical articles annoying. Hangovers in popular culture, for instance, is totally unecessary; in fact, it would be a trivia section.
4. Photos of hungover people do not help the reader in any way. Leave the article free of photos. RedRabbit1983 19:33, 26 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Methanol cannot be a cause

The small amounts of methanol that some (not all) alcoholic beverages have cannot cause hangovers, as the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase has a stronger affinity for ethanol than methanol; this means that methanol, which by himself is quite harmless until it is metabolized (by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase) to the highly toxic formaldehyde and later (by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase) to the even more toxic formic acid, is excreted without being transformed in the toxic metabolytes. As a matter of fact, the treatment for methanol intoxication is IV 5% ethanol until all the methanol is excreted by the kidneys.

[edit] Methanol is a factor

Notwithstanding the above, authoritative-sounding statement, the U.S. Government says that methanol is well established as a factor in hangovers. The notable absence in this article of methanol’s role in hangovers is improper. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (link to Web site), which is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, methanol is indeed a factor in hangovers. The metabolic details of methanol’s role is explained in an NIAAA paper by Robert Swift, M.D., Ph.D.; and Dena Davidson, Ph.D.: Alcohol Hangover, Mechanisms and Mediators (114 kB PDF, here), which tells—among many other things—of a study done with red wine (containing 100 mg of methanol per liter) and how spirits with more methanol tend to have a greater propensity for causing hangovers. Greg L (my talk) 20:28, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Detox

I think a link to "Alcohol detoxification" should be included. After a long binge the "usual" hangover cures just don't work. Diazepam (or other benzodiazepines) may be required, as well as anticonvulsants. Intramuscular vitamin B injections might also be in order, especially if the patient cannot eat.

I happen to live in a country (Finland) where heavy binge drinking is quite common, and personally know people who have gone through detox. It is quite affordable, and the patients' diet and circadian rhythms are monitored until they are deemed fit to leave. The process may take up to a week in the worst cases.

My two cents... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.195.74.30 (talk) 23:00, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Alcohol withdrawal

I've heard it suggested that hangovers are partly caused by very rapid additivity -- that a single night of heavy drinking can cause a sort of mini-addiction, and a hangover the next morning is a result of mini-withdrawal. Unfortunately I've forgotten the source of this info, and whether it was at all scholarly or reliable. I'll check my textbooks at some point, but has anyone else ever heard of this? --Xiaphias (talk) 07:37, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Active Charcoal

I have hard from some people I know that taking Active charcoal prior to sleeping eliminates or at least milds the symtoms of a hangover. Can anyone verify this?

89.212.104.197 (talk) 01:42, 16 December 2007 (UTC)


[edit] John O Callaghan?

The case of John O Callaghan ("actually physically turned green and is reported to have suffered for 3 days. During those days he famously declared "I'm never drinking again" and he never did") is not referenced. Could be an urban legend? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.92.42.118 (talk) 21:30, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Moved from the top. Please add new comments at the bottom of talk pages. As for the comment in question, I agree; it's not cited, it sounds fake, and it's probably just an urban legend. Removing it until someone can cite a reliable source.--71.220.27.10 (talk) 05:43, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Personal experience

I stopped drinking water after the meals since last 13 months. I drink about 3 glasses of water with a gap of 15 minutes each one hour before the meals. In all I drink about 10 glasses of water in a day. I do not drink water after 8.00 pm.

I started all this with an idea to stop leakage of stomach acids with water.

This seems to have helped with fatty liver condition.

But of late I am feeling that mental activities are getting efected. All the time I am light headed.

Am I heading for some trouble.

Rajinder Singh Bhalla 16:55, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

This talk page is meant for discussing changes to the article Hangover, please stay to this thank you! Grinder0-0 (talk) 17:38, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

I think hang over can be experienced by taken lot of high energy food. The reason for hand over could be sudden increase in energy levels in the brain. The moment the energy levels cross a threshold limit, the further flow of energy in the brain is switched off. To switch on the energy flow to the brain pain is required to be triggered. This is done in hand over. The reason for that is that brain keeps working even when new energy flow to the brain is switched off. This tires out the brain and you have hangover.Rajinder Singh Bhalla 17:40, 24 February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rajan111179 (talk • contribs)

[edit] The Causes section needs work

My impression is that this section is lacking. References need to be added to the entire section (just about) and the last part about b12 seems to me like it's wrong. I can't find any support for the notion that cobalamine would be depleted in the metabolism of ethanol (although cronic consumption may interfere with the uptake of cobalamine from the gastrointestinal tract). --GustenNyberg (talk) 21:13, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Hangover Prevention section should go

The BMJ article listed in the paragraph "Possible Remedies" is a system review of 8 random-controlled-trials. One of the trials it reviews is the article listed in the next section: Tex-OE from Prickly Pear lowers hangover symptoms. By having the systematic review listed as factual AND one of the trials that the review assessed as not conclusive as being factual, this page is presenting false or at least contradictory data. Can we please remove the section or at least list a warning? --Shokod (talk) 01:11, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Makes sense to me. Bam! --ThisIsMyWikipediaName (talk) 15:00, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] AMA vs ACP

The study mentioned was allegedly peer-reviewed by the AMA and published in "their" (I changed to "the") Annals of Internal Medicine, which is published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). I imagine that should read ACP, not AMA? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Nstru (talk • contribs) 04:23, 12 May 2008 (UTC)