demasiado sábado por la noche

[saavedra77]

When they were handing out alcohol tolerance, I was apparently busy getting extra helpings of geekiness and wimptitude. And, as I managed to tell my sister in my pidgin español over the phone earlier today, tuve un poco demasiado sábado por la noche, last night, and jesus cristo en una bicicleta am I paying for it, today. I mean, I hydrated and everything, so I'm not in pain, just dog-tired and nauseous.

Yeah, yeah, I know: if you can't do the time, don't do the crime, right? But since I'm currently in this situation: Anybody have any tips on how to chase the queasies and enervation away?

Comments

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Before drinking: vitamins and starch. A hefty starch-based meal will help slow absorption of booze and prevent nausea.

During drinking:

Don't drink too many different kinds of drinks, and generally starting off with the stronger ones and shifting to easier ones is best, although if you leave a decent amount of time between the beer and the tequila, you may be all right.

Alternate water with drinking; also, salty snacks. Your body is made of saltwater, not water; that "I drank a gallon of water and now I slosh" feeling is your body not being able to absorb the water because there's not enough salt in it. Nachos, pretzels, salty snacks will help you maintain that balance. A little munching also helps prevent nausea.

Also: consider what it is you are drinking, and if there are other possible causes for nausea. I am mildly allergic to something in the malt or yeast family; malt liquor and yeasty beers make me feel ill. Another common error is that many alcoholic drinks and mixers are extremely acidic; acid stomach makes me a miserable girl indeed, which is why I quit drinking screwdrivers. Sulfites can contribute to a hangover, and are found in many wines, ciders, and American drinkables. Hell, some poor souls are mildly allergic to alcohol.

Aftercare, or "things to leave on your nightstand before you go to the party, so they'll be there the next morning", to take in this approximate order:

Gatorade soothes the stomach and can help restore electrolytes and energy. It may go down easier than water, as it also has salt and other good things. (As medic friends taught me, if Gatorade tastes really good, you really need it.)

Some sort of indigestion aid; Tums or equivalent.

Some sort of mild starch, ideally with salt. I like pretzels or some similar salty snack, but buttered toast or other breakfast bread is also good. Starch will absorb the crud left at the bottom of your abused stomach.

An over-the-counter NSAID pain reliever. Don't take on a cranky stomach, but it's what your headache wants.

The other thing your headache and other things want is caffeine, if you take it on any regular basis.

Dairy can soothe an overly acid stomach. (Lactose intolerant folks: avoid, use soy, or drink less acidic stuff.) Be warned that coffee and tea usually is highly acidic. If you want to make yourself really, really ill, have vodka or tequila and orange juice all night, then have a big cup of coffee the next morning. You'll be nauseous for days, well after the alcohol abuse has faded. Ugh.)

Once you're functional enough to face cooking or going out for food, load up on protein. Protein into a sour stomach is not so good, which is why I recommend the saltine crackers first. (If nothing else they're easier to get rid of, if your stomach so decrees.) But protein will put your energy levels back up. Try to get some before the starch and caffeine wear off.

If still nauseous after meal, have another Tums and something stomach-soothing like ginger tea. If you feel acid-stomach ish, dairy, like that mushroom soup, and keep hydrating and having salt (another thing soup is good for. Brothy soup, mmm). Avoid spicy stuff until recovered.

When you're able, do exercise, but don't overdo it; listen carefully to your body, even if it seems to be sending a string of expletives up the brainstem.

... lingering nausea ...

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the thoughtful, informed response Fey: I think that I might just have to print this out and keep a copy folded up in my wallet ... :)

Re: ... lingering nausea ...

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Heh. Good to know that my youthful indiscretions, as well as my medical knowledge, can help.