Sometimes a few glasses are enough to go from an euphoric evening to a painful tomorrow. Nausea, headache, vomiting … These unpleasant symptoms are not trivial: they are the direct response of the body to an excess of alcohol.
“”When you vomit after drinking too much, it is not a simple digestive bug, it is a complex reaction of the body in the face of toxic aggression “, explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor. So why do you vomit exactly? And how can we prevent the party from running in Calvary?
Why alcohol triggers vomiting
First culprit: the stomach. Alcohol irritates its mucous membrane, which stimulates the production of gastric acid. Result: nausea, pain, sometimes burns and regurgitations. “”The objective of the body is simple: to evacuate as quickly as possible what attacks it “ Specifies Dr. Kierzek.
But the explanation does not stop there. Alcohol also acts on the brain, especially on the vomiting control zone in the brainstem. “”Alcohol is perceived as a toxin. It stimulates this area via dopamine and serotonin, which triggers the vomiting reflex “.
Added to this are the side effects linked to dehydration. Alcohol is diuretic: it makes you urinate more, which disturbs the balance in sodium, potassium and magnesium. These imbalances aggravate nausea and accentuate fatigue.
And finally, the liver plays a crucial role. It transforms alcohol into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance responsible for many symptoms of wooden mouth: nausea, headache and vomiting included.
What to do to calm a hangover?
First reflex: rehydrate. Drinking a lot of water is essential, but you can also bet on broths, herbal teas or rehydration solutions. “”Avoid coffee, it worsens dehydration“Recommend Dr. Kierzek.
On the food side, we favor soft and digestible foods: bananas, rice, toast, compote. These foods help stabilize blood sugar and reconstruct electrolyte reserves. “”Savory soups, bananas or even a little honey can help recover faster. “
The rest is just as crucial: the body eliminates alcohol slowly, on average 0.15 g/l per hour. So no need to want to “desorate” suddenly: only time and sleep really have an effect.
And for pain, paracetamol remains the safest option, provided you have a calm stomach. “”Ibuprofen or aspirin are avoided if the stomach is irritated, as this can worsen symptoms. “
When vomiting become disturbing
If nausea is frequent after a watered evening, some signs must absolutely alert. “”Persistent vomiting beyond 24 hours, vomiting with blood, or consciousness disorders are medical emergencies“Prevents Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
Among the other signs of severity: confusion, slowed breathing, intense abdominal pain or convulsive crises. These symptoms may indicate acute alcoholic poisoning, digestive hemorrhage or pancreatitis, all three potentially fatal.
And to avoid getting there? Drink slowly, eat before and during, avoid mixtures (especially with sodas that accelerate the absorption of alcohol) and alternate with water. And quite simply, drink in moderation: this remains the most effective and easiest advice to implement.