In the clinic, I often hear from patients who struggled with headaches and heartburn the day after a company dinner. A hangover is a state in which the burden that occurs as the body processes alcohol becomes visible. Unfortunately, rather than looking for a way to make it disappear completely at once, it is more realistic to manage before and after drinking to shorten recovery time.
The key issue in a hangover is the burden on the liver
Alcohol is broken down mainly in the liver. Substances produced in this process, such as acetaldehyde, can cause headache, nausea, facial flushing, and severe fatigue. If fatigue has already built up or you drink after skipping a meal, the same amount of alcohol may feel harder on the body.
Warm broth is a choice that supports recovery
In Korean medicine, after a hangover, it is considered important to help release blocked qi and allow sweat and urination to occur naturally. Warm broths, such as pufferfish soup or clam soup, can help replenish fluids and electrolytes and warm the stomach. However, forcing yourself to use a sauna or sweat excessively can worsen dehydration, so it is better to avoid it.
Drinking snacks are also part of hangover management
When drinking, you should reduce the habit of drinking quickly on an empty stomach. Relatively light and less irritating snacks, such as minari or dried pollack strips, can help reduce the situation of drinking only alcohol and may ease the burden on the stomach the next day. Greasy or spicy snacks may stimulate the appetite at the moment, but they can worsen heartburn in people with sensitive stomachs.
Drink tea and water slowly and often
After drinking alcohol, severe thirst can make it easy to gulp down a lot of water at once, but when the stomach feels unsettled, it is more comfortable to drink small amounts at a time. Warm water or mild tea can help replenish fluids without irritating the stomach. Drinks high in caffeine, such as coffee, may make you feel temporarily more alert, but they may not suit people who have heartburn or palpitations.
We recommend consultation in these cases
- When headache, vomiting, or diarrhea recurs severely even after drinking only a small amount
- When heartburn, epigastric pain, or reflux symptoms last a long time after drinking
- When fatigue lasts a long time, or the face or eyes look yellowish
- When you have liver disease or a digestive disorder, or you are taking medication
- If you have decreased consciousness, repeated severe vomiting, vomiting blood, or paralysis symptoms, call 119 or go to the emergency room first
The best hangover measure is to avoid heavy drinking and drink slowly. Eating before and after drinking, replenishing fluids, and getting enough sleep can support the body’s recovery. If hangovers recur, care may be needed to determine whether this is simple fatigue or a signal from the stomach, intestines, or liver.