Most people know the awful feeling associated with a few too many drinks. You feel it before you even really open your eyes. Your head is pounding. Your mouth is dry. You can’t seem to peel your eyes open. When you do, the nausea is overwhelming.

And there it is. You’re hungover. What do you do now?

Most people struggle to alleviate their hangover because each of the symptoms listed above has a different origin. If you’re ready to fix your hangovers once and for all, here’s what you need to know.

Why Do You Feel So Sick with a Hangover?

Let’s break down your hangover and where all the symptoms come from. This can help you understand exactly what you’re treating.

1. Fatigue: Alcohol disrupts your sleep. When you drink, you often reduce REM and increase sleep disruptions, leaving you fatigued the following day.
2. Headache: Drinking widens your blood vessels, triggering headaches in some people.
3. Nausea and diarrhea: Alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach and intestines. It also slows the rate of digestion. If you find you’re in the bathroom more often on a day following a night of drinking, this is why.
4. Dry mouth: Alcohol is a diuretic, so it causes you to pee more. Many symptoms related to hangovers (i.e., dry mouth, thirst, fatigue, and headaches) are truly just the impact of dehydration. Therefore, it’s important to hydrate before, during, and after a night out.
5. Sweating: One of the byproducts of the body processing alcohol is acetaldehyde. This substance causes fast pause, sweating, and nausea.

Overall, a hangover is a mild form of alcohol withdrawal. When you drink, your body adjusts to alcohol’s effects. When it wears off, your nervous system must readjust, which can cause unpleasant symptoms. Here’s what you do about it.

Common Hangover Cures

When you wake up with your head pounding or your stomach churning, most people’s first instinct is to reach for the aspirin or ibuprofen bottle. In fact, aspirin and black coffee are two of the most popular hangover cures in the book.

Unfortunately, mixing aspirin and alcohol can result in certain types of gastrointestinal distress. Nausea and vomiting both result from the combination, along with ulcers, heartburn, and stomach upset. Additionally, while you can mix alcohol and ibuprofen in small quantities, your risk of serious issues rises significantly if you’ve drunk too excessive (i.e., when you really need that hangover cure!).

Consider natural remedies to help you alleviate your discomfort after a drinking episode. Here are some that top the list.    

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals found that help to regulate and control the balance of fluids in the body. They also help to regulate blood pressure and muscle contraction while keeping your system functioning properly. When you drink, you deplete your electrolytes. Drinking a beverage with electrolytes can help you restore the balance in your body.

DHM

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is an over-the-counter herbal hangover cure. This ­USC study revealed that DHM results in a series of metabolic changes that can help your body metabolize alcohol faster and ease headaches while benefitting the liver. DHM activates numerous mechanisms that erase alcohol from the body rapidly.

White willow bark extract

White willow bark extract is anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing. This makes it a great remedy for hangovers. It’s often called the “original aspirin” because it contains a chemical called salicin. Salicin allows white willow bark to be a more natural version of pain-relief medication without the health risks. 

Milk thistle extract

Milk thistle extract is another herbal remedy. It’s known for its liver-protecting effects. It helps to restore damaged cells and protect against alcohol damage.

Vitamins B and C

Because alcohol is a diuretic, you flush a lot of essential vitamins and nutrients out of your body. Vitamin B and C are two vitamins that are important to replace as soon as possible. A vitamin B complex (which includes B1, B2, folic acid, B6, B12, etc.) can help combat your hangover. An extra dose of vitamin C can also do you some good. It’s thought to prevent and reduce the severity of the hangover by speeding up the liver’s metabolism of alcohol. 

Final Thoughts

Most people can’t fathom a five-step hangover routine the morning after drinking. If you want to incorporate all the cures above to help your body recover, take Remy. This scientifically-formulated hydration and liver aid product combines 15 quality ingredients to replenish vital nutrients and help you enjoy a better morning.