Why do hangovers get worse?

Question

Ok, it is Saturday morning and I have a hangover.

When I was a teenager I could drink like a fish and the following day, nothing at all.

I am now 36 and if I drink 18+ units I am wasted for the whole day, like really bad.

I recently had a liver function test as well as others, a personal MOT, and I had totally great results.

If my liver is no worse off, how come the hangovers have an added vengence nowadays?

I drink 5 pints of water per day and 1g vitamin C.

I eat healthily and avoid red meat and processed foods.

I have plenty of exercise and I am the right BMI and weight for my height.

My drinking is usually 35-45 units per week, so I am not exactly an alcoholic or in denial.

Answer 1

As you age, your body becomes less resilient to any type of stress.
things that get harder when you get older include, but are not limited to:
1. starting an exercise program,
2. recovering from surgery
3. recovering from a hangover.

Think about your body like a car. An old car might need a constant supply of oil, just like you might need a constant supply of vitamins now. Alcohol can deprive your body of nutrients. Since your body needs those nutrients more than it did say 18 years ago, then your body will react badly to the alcohol.

Answer 2

A drink or two after work is not going to do too much damage to your system unless you are indulging far more than this on a regular basis. Typically alcohol and cigarette smoke, whether actively or passively inhaled, will rob the body of the stress-busting B and C vitamins. This can leave you feeling fatigued and under par. A good all-round multivitamin will help, along with extra B and C vitamins when out on the town.

Additionally if you are drinking double espressos instead of water throughout the day, chances are you are quite dehydrated which will also make the hangovers feel worse. Make sure to drink at least four pints of water a day and even more if you are out drinking. If you are even mildly dehydrated your energy levels can drop by 20%.

The aptly named homeopathic remedy Nux vomica is known as a miracle cure for hangovers. Take one pill every half hour until you feel better. If you can remember to take it before passing out, all the better. Take a vitamin too and keep some water by the bed for the obligatory 4am dry mouth. If you can, skip the fatty fry up the next day which only further burdens the liver. Lots of water, fresh fruit and whole grains will serve you far better than all that grease, no matter how tempting.

If you are worried about the state of your liver, bear in mind that this incredible organ can regenerate itself, assuming it isn't under continuous stress. Take the supplement milk thistle as directed on the label to help the liver heal and remove toxins from your body.

Finally, if you are drinking excessively to avoid dealing with an emotional complaint such as anxiety, loss or depression, please seek a proper consultation to get to the root of the problem. Alcohol itself is a depressant and can make already difficult situations unbearable. The alcohol simply masks the problem but never addresses it, leaving you feeling terrible in body and mind.
http://www.naturalhealthservice.org/hangovers.html

Just remember to pop a couple of vitamin C tabs during or after drinking and the hangover's will subside.

Answer 3

I THINK THE LIVER TEST IS WRONG! Far out, u r gettin on it!
take liverplex or a herbal liver detox and see what happens
are you drinking beer? see www.yeastinfectionrelief.com
take olive leaf extract to kill the yeast fungus
are your lips thin? you may need to eat brown rice or take vitamin B daily
apples n strawberries help the body recuperate after alcohol

Answer 4

You are getting older and your organs are not as fast as they function before. It is just like a machine, it is subject to wear and tear. So have to slow down. Take into consideration this fact and if possible stop this alcohol habit ( pardon me for the unsolicited advice).. but if you want to live longer, refrain from alcohol, because whether you like it or not, it always, always lead to alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Answer 5

I'm guessing it's because as we get older our bodies don't recuperate as well or as quickly. Best advice to avoid hangovers is to drink lots of water before you go to bed and when you wake up after a night of drinking.