How to Stop Vomiting After Drinking Alcohol
You might feel awful if you drank too much the night before. Nausea, vomiting, and other physical hangover symptoms can leave you feeling drained and miserable. While time is the real cure, knowing how to care for yourself after overindulging in alcohol can ease your discomfort and get you back on your feet faster.
Let’s discuss why alcohol can cause vomiting and then dive into effective remedies to find some relief.
Why Does Alcohol Make You Vomit?
Our bodies are quite sophisticated in dealing with things that aren’t good for them. Here’s what can happen when you drink too much:
- Stomach Irritation: Alcohol is an irritant. It directly upsets your stomach lining, leading to inflammation and increased acid production. This discomfort can lead to nausea and vomiting.
- Delayed Stomach Emptying: Alcohol messes with the muscle contractions responsible for pushing food through your digestive system. This causes the contents of your stomach to hang around longer than they should, increasing the chance of vomiting.
- Toxin Buildup: The liver breaks down alcohol and produces a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde. If you drink more than your liver can process, you end up with too much acetaldehyde in your bloodstream – something your body wants to expel by any means necessary, including vomiting.
How to Help Stop Vomiting After Drinking
The number one goal is to give your body a chance to heal and remove the excess alcohol and its byproducts. Here’s how to facilitate that process:
Rehydrate
- Priority Number One: Vomiting strips your body of essential fluids and electrolytes. Make frequent sips of water, electrolyte replacement drinks (Pedialyte, Gatorade, Powerade), or clear broths your main focus.
- Small Sips are Key: Don’t chug; taking small sips avoids overwhelming your already troubled stomach.
- Wait a Bit: If you’re actively vomiting, wait about 30 minutes after your last episode before attempting to take in fluids.
Bland Foods Are Your Friend
- Slowly Does It: Once you start keeping fluids down, introduce bland, starchy foods like toast, crackers, or plain rice. These gentle foods soothe your stomach while helping to raise your blood sugar, boosting energy levels.
- Small Bites First: Don’t overload your stomach – small, frequent bites make recovery easier.
Rest, Rest, and More Rest
- Listen to Your Body: When you’re recovering from drinking too much, your body needs to conserve energy for necessary healing.
- Let Sleep Be Your Medicine: Getting good, quality sleep greatly accelerates the recovery process.
Over-the-Counter Assistance
- Antacids: These can help settle an upset stomach by neutralizing some of the acids causing discomfort.
- Pain Relievers: Choose ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) over acetaminophen (Tylenol). Your liver is already taxed with processing alcohol, and ibuprofen is generally gentler on the stomach.
Things to Absolutely Avoid
- “Hair of the Dog”: Drinking more alcohol might seem like a temporary relief, but it only masks symptoms and ultimately prolongs your suffering.
- Overtaxing Your Stomach: Stay away from fatty, greasy, and highly acidic foods that can further irritate your stomach. The same goes for coffee and spicy dishes.
- Overexertion: Don’t push yourself too hard physically in your weakened state. Give your body a chance to recover.
FAQs
1. When should I be concerned about alcohol-induced vomiting?
If you can’t keep any fluids down, the vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours, or you see blood in your vomit, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. These signs indicate possible severe dehydration or underlying issues.
2. How can I prevent vomiting from drinking in the future?
Focus on moderation! Other important preventive steps include eating before drinking, alternating alcoholic drinks with water, and choosing lighter-colored drinks.
3. Are there any home remedies for alcohol-induced nausea?
Some individuals find that ginger (as tea or chews) and peppermint can help soothe their stomachs. But keep in mind that results may vary from person to person.
