Hangovers can show a variety of symptoms so it may be often difficult to tell what may come of overconsumption of alcohol.

Knowing what symptoms may occur can help you plan ahead and be ready for anything. If you know why these symptoms occur, you may be able to make some changes to your intake of alcohol to try to reduce these issues.

Understanding why you get hungover and what causes it makes it easier to not get hungover or to reduce symptoms.

Why Do Some People Get More Hungover Than Others

There are many different things that need to be taken into account while drinking. Alcohol affects each person differently, which is a result of many different factors.

• Body Mass. Individuals with higher body mass can take in larger amounts of alcohol than a smaller individual. If this isn’t taken into account when drinking, you may be drinking the same amount as someone that has a larger body mass than yourself and get a larger hangover.

• Metabolism. Individuals with a higher metabolism may find that their bodies are able to process alcohol at a faster rate, reducing hangover symptoms.

• Age. Older individuals may find themselves getting more hungover than younger individuals.

• Food and Water. The amount of water someone takes in before, during and after drinking can mean different hangovers for individuals. Similarly, if one person eats more before drinking, they may be less likely to get hungover. Also, eating after drinking can reduce symptoms.

• Type of alcohol. Different types of alcohol may cause different hangovers or different symptoms.

• Frequency. If you drink more you may be less likely to get hungover. Your body may be more used to alcohol intake and as a result you may have less symptoms, or less severe symptoms.

Headache

Alcohol causes the body to become dehydrated. As a result, often times a headache can result from consumption of alcohol. Headaches also occur as a symptom as a result of excess stress on the liver. As a result of needing to work harder, the liver finds it difficult to produce enough glucose to give the proper nutrients to the brain causing a headache. To avoid this, make sure you are drinking water as you drink, keeping your body hydrated. You can also take aspirin before sleeping to try to plan ahead for the headache and reduce the pain.

Nausea

This is a very common symptom of a hangover. It is also often a difficult symptom to cure. This symptom may occur upon waking up from a night of drinking, or may occur throughout the day, making it difficult to eat or drink. As a result of overworking the body and a large consumption of alcohol, the body feels weak and nausea may occur. To try to cure this symptom, try taking a nap, taking a cold shower or drinking cold water. As with a headache, you may be very dehydrated so make sure that you are taking in fluids and replacing missed nutrients.

Vomiting

After a night of binge drinking, one may find themselves not only nauseous but also vomiting. In order to feel better, allowing yourself to puke may be the only option. Remember that not only were you already dehydrated but you are going to be further dehydrated. If you drank to much, this symptom may be very common. Make sure after being sick that you dry to replace any missed nutrients and fluids. Drink lots of water and once you feel a little better, try to eat something, probably something easier on the stomach.

Increased Heart Rate

This is a common, but often scary, symptom of hangovers. The best way to slow your heart rate down is to cleanse yourself from your night. Drink lots of water to replace what you lost dehydrating yourself with drinking. This symptom should decrease throughout the day. Make sure you rest and hydrate to help slow your body back down to normal.

Other Possible Symptoms

As well as these symptoms, there are many other issues that may occur. In the case of too much drinking, one may find that they have blurred vision. If you consistently find yourself with blurred vision after a night of drinking, you need to reduce the amount of alcohol you are taking in because you are over drinking. Another symptom that often occurs is drinker’s remorse. After a crazy night of drinking, one may regret some of the things they did the night before. Although it may be a result of a poor decision made the night before, it could also be a chemical unbalance. Alcohol is a depressant and too much alcohol intake may cause some changes within your body for the time being. Many find that exercising and working off the hangover can help you feel better. You may also feel multiple other symptoms:

• Body aches. One may feel sore or achy, once again as a result of dehydration.

• Loss of appetite. Too much drinking can affect your stomach and make it difficult to drink. Also, because you may feel nauseous, you may not feel like eating.

• Diarrhea. Drinking too much of certain types of alcohol, you may find yourself experiencing diarrhea. Try to hydrate and return nutrients to your body.

• Irritability. As a result of the other hangover symptoms, you may find yourself irritable. Try to return your body to normal and you may do better around people.

How to Avoid Hangover Symptoms

The best way to avoid a hangover is to think ahead. If you have what you need in order to reduce a hangover at hand the morning of a hangover, you can reduce the symptoms. Some products to purchase ahead of time include water, food and medication. Having this on hand can reduce the added stress of already having a hangover. Water is an essential way to reduce a hangover. Many of these symptoms are caused by dehydration. Thus, make sure to drink water while drinking alcohol as well as in the morning.