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All the signs that show your hangover could be something much more serious

All the signs that show your hangover could be something much more serious

There are several tell-tale signs that reveal your body may be going through something more severe

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

Having a hangover is almost like paying tax for going out and having a few too many - it isn't ideal, it's not worth it, but we have to pay the price for our actions sooner or later.

However, there is a reason why it is advised to enjoy your vices in moderation, as in the long-term, alcohol can negatively affect your health if you're not careful.

In fact, the substance is actually poisonous, and drinking too much of it can result in a swift trip to A&E, so it's important to be aware of the negative effects that can follow the day after drinking, and if you should be worried.

We've all been there, the dreaded day after partying that bit too hard. (Getty Stock Photo)
We've all been there, the dreaded day after partying that bit too hard. (Getty Stock Photo)

What a 'hangover' actually is

We all know that it's feeling a bit under the weather, mentally and physically, the day after putting a shift in on the pints, but numerous physiological and psychological symptoms could be at play when you're recovering.

The severity of the hangover heavily depends on how much you've drank, what exactly you've drank, and how dehydrated you are.

Bottom line here is it's not a fun thing to go through, and it's worth thinking more about the next day when you're on your next night out.

Signs to look out for

There are number of things that signal the dreaded hangover.

Feeling tired and weak are a giveaway, and feeling dehydrated with a headache is one of the main signs of a serious hangover.

Nausea, sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises and other times of pain could also be an ever-present, but just remember that the symptoms do pass in the end, and can be helped with a lot of water and healthy food.

These are symptoms of a hangover, but what if they're more serious?

There are ways to tell if what you have is more serious than a hangover. (Getty Stock Photo)
There are ways to tell if what you have is more serious than a hangover. (Getty Stock Photo)

Could it be something more severe?

But it could be more serious, depending on the symptoms experienced but there is the possibility that you could have alcohol poisoning.

Different to a hangover, this can start to occur while you're drinking, and heavy drinking can result in any one of these things happening, and if you spot these in someone, you should call an ambulance:

  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute) or irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
  • Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
  • Low body temperature
  • Difficulty remaining conscious
  • Becoming unconscious and unable to be woken.

It's important to keep the person warm, sit them up straight and provide them with plenty of water to avoid dehydration before emergency services get there.

Sometimes, a paracetamol and a glass of water the next morning won't cut it. (Getty Stock Photo)
Sometimes, a paracetamol and a glass of water the next morning won't cut it. (Getty Stock Photo)

How can you avoid all of this?

Whether it be avoiding a hangover or limiting your chances of getting alcohol poisoning, there are ways to steer clear of these things and stay healthy.

The easiest solution is to cut out drinking altogether, but it may be difficult to do this if you're going to certain places that are centred around drinking. But staying as hydrated as possible will certainly lower the chances of a hangover, so it's important to keep drinking water or maybe swap out a bev for a soft drink once in a while.

Drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week will significantly reduce the long-term risks of harm from alcohol-related health issues.

Some of these long-term effects include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, and several mental health conditions.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Health, Alcohol, NHS, Food And Drink

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

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@joshnair10