We’ve all tried every remedy for a hangover, but nothing seems to work. Whether they are home remedies or taking over-the-counter painkillers, a hangover, especially a severe one, will not respond effectively to these. People usually prefer taking two panadol tablets right before going to bed after a night of heavy partying so that they don’t suffer the after-effects in the morning. But the truth is that pain medications like Panadol can actually do more harm than good, and this article will tell you exactly why.
Why you should avoid panadol
Alcohol is processed in the liver, and if you’ve drank a lot, you can only imagine there will be a lot of processing. If, on top of that, you take paracetamol, your liver will have to work harder converting the drug and then eventually getting rid of it in the form of urine. This is especially a serious problem if you are a habitual drinker. In addition, the effects of panadol last 4 to 5 hours, so by the time you wake up, the effects will already have died down. After this time, you’ll have to take the pills again and cause your liver to do more work.
The worst part is that people with excruciating hangovers that they may not be able to tolerate might end up reaching for more panadol tablets and not respecting the dosage and time interval for taking the medication. This can lead to drug overdose and toxicity. Your liver will definitely not be thanking you.
What to do instead
1. Ibuprofen is better
If you must take a painkiller, then ibuprofen is the best option. However, you need to be careful about the timing of taking this drug because it takes an hour for Ibuprofen to give the desired results. It is therefore recommended that you take it an hour before you have an urgent appointment or you need to be up and running for a certain task. However, keep in mind that you should never consume ibuprofen without first eating something. This is because the medicine can irritate the lining of your stomach wall. Also, remember that you do not need to take a very strong painkiller, which might be less effective in some cases than the milder ones.
2. Not all painkillers work for everyone
If you see a certain painkiller working magic for someone, it doesn’t mean that it will work for you as well. Every person, their metabolism, and their alcohol consumption is different, so you need to be careful about which painkiller you choose. If you are unsure, you can even consult your healthcare provider. They will give you a prescribed dose which you will have to take after the correct time intervals.
3. Eat before leaving for your party
Drinking on an empty stomach will cause your hangovers to be more pronounced. When you have food in your stomach, the pyloric sphincter, a muscle that closes to separate the contents of the stomach from the small intestine, doesn’t let alcohol pass through. And since most of the alcohol is absorbed in the small intestine, this gives your body a chance to reduce the effects.
4. Drink plenty of water
While alcohol is a dehydrator, water hydrates the body. Your body needs a lot of fluids after your drink alcohol, and if you ignore this need, you might end up getting worse hangovers. Be sure to drink water when you come back from your party and are getting ready to go to bed. Set up a reminder for this, just in case you forget, so that you can do your body some good.
5. Drink less
This is kind of a no-brainer. You do not need to overconsume alcohol. In fact, you can probably end up having even more fun at your party if you control the amount that you consume. This is because you’ll be able to sit down and talk to your friends instead of not remembering what you actually did at the get-together. You will also end up doing less harm to your body, especially your liver, which will have to process less alcohol.
6. Do not drink alcohol at every opportunity
Some days, you can lay low and not drink. Habitual drinkers can really weaken or damage their livers, and if you care about your body, you will make it a point to give it a rest on some evenings. This occasional drinking will mean that your liver has less processing to do with toxins, and if you decide to take a panadol after for the headache, you will be able to do so without feeling too concerned.
Seek help if you have a problem with alcohol
If you are getting regular hangovers, it may be a sign that you need to cut down on your alcohol consumption and give your liver a break. Health is wealth, and alcohol is the enemy of a good life. Therefore, while it is okay to indulge and have a drink or two every once in a while, you should never overdo it. In addition, if you consider that your life is derailing because you are drinking too much alcohol, you need to take charge and seek help immediately.
Luckily, we have many options nowadays to get clean. For instance, we can register ourselves at rehab centers, get a friend or a family member to help us, or even see a doctor to see if our body and liver are functioning as they should. Especially remember that on the days on which you decide to drink, you should always be careful while getting back home. Never take the wheel, and always make sure that you are accompanied by someone you trust.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
