Most people experience pounding headaches, an upset stomach, and an overall feeling of regret following a night of drinking. Hangovers, which are the aftereffects of consuming too much alcohol after a night out, are very common and it is an unpleasant experience to have. A bad hangover can hamper your daily life activities, especially if you need to go to work next morning. In this write-up, we will discuss how long does a hangover last, impacting factors and how to manage it. 

How Long does a hangover last?

So, how long does a hangover last? The duration of a hangover can differ from one person to another, and the duration may range from 8 to 24 hours, factors like metabolism and age play a role determining the duration. Here's a general timeline of the duration of hangover- 

1. First 12 hours after drinking

The usual signs of a hangover typically appear within a few hours after the last drink has been consumed and when the body is metabolising and removing alcohol from the system. The symptoms in this stage could be headache, nausea, fatigue, and dehydration.

2. 12 to 24 hours after drinking

For most people, the worst of the hangover symptoms generally occurs during this period. The top is usually attained at 12 to 24 hours after the last drink, as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) becomes zero. This is the time when you might suffer the most severe headaches, the muscle pains, sensitivity to sound and light, feeling dizzy or even vomiting.

3. 24 to 72 hours after drinking

As the body keeps working on the recovery of the alcohol effects, most hangover symptoms should get better within 24 to 72 hours. Although the symptoms like tiredness, irritability, and problems with concentration may last a couple of days after the consumption of a large amount of alcohol, they will eventually fade away.

Impacting Factors 

1. Amount of alcohol consumed

The amount of alcohol that you consume is among the most significant factors that impacts how long does hangover last. The higher amount of the alcohol you take, the higher amount of time it takes your body to digest and eliminate it, which results in a longer hangover. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can lead to some very bad hangovers that can cause huge problems the next day.

2. Alcohol content and congeners

The kind of alcoholic drink consumed can also make the duration of a hangover to be longer. The most concerning alcoholic drinks in terms of congeners are darker ones, such as whiskey, rum, and red wine. These congeners can be associated with more severe hangover symptoms and also can lengthen the hangover duration.

3. Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, so it increases the urine production and the loss of fluid that can be very dehydrating. Dehydration may aggravate other hangover symptoms like headache, fatigue, and dizziness, and the restoration of normal body functions may take longer, thereby prolonging the hangover duration.

4. Sleep quality

In some cases, alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and lower the quality of sleep even if you sleep enough hours. A night of a low-quality sleep during and after drinking can worsen the hanger symptoms and delay the recovery, as sleep is one of the key factors that contribute to the body's recovery process.

5. Individual factors

There are many individual factors, such as age, gender, weight, metabolic rate, and overall health status, that can influence how long does a hangover last. In most cases, as people get older, their ability to process alcohol slows down, thus hangovers are longer and more severe. Moreover, women might suffer from a longer hangover than men because of differences in body water content and metabolism.

6. Smoking and other substance use

Smoking and use of other substances, like recreational drugs, can together with the effects of alcohol lead to a more severe hangover. The hangover can last longer and be more intense.

How to Manage Hangover?

Now that you know how long does a hangover last and the impacting factors, let's have a look at how you can manage it. 

1. Stay hydrated

Dehydration is a key factor in a hangover and it causes symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Alcohol is diuretic, and therefore the body loses more fluids than it takes in. To counteract dehydration, ensure that you drink lots of water and other beverages such as sports drinks or coconut water before, during and after drinking alcohol. 

2. Replenish nutrients

Alcohol has the capacity of removing vital nutrients from the body, including vitamins B and C and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Consuming a balanced meal or a snack which provides fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is a way to refuel the body and promote recovery.

2. Get adequate rest

Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and result in poor sleep quality, the symptoms of which may worsen a hangover. Try to get adequate sleep by making a peaceful sleeping environment and letting your body heal. Not drinking anymore alcohol and limiting the effect of loud sounds or bright lights can help you sleep better. 

3. Take over-the-counter medications

Although there are no medications that can make hangovers go away, few of them like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help to relieve headaches and body pain. But medication use has to be handled with utmost care because some medicines can react with alcohol and also exacerbate the irritation of the stomach lining.

4. Do some light exercises

While a workout session with high-intensity exercises may be inappropriate during a hangover, some low-impact activities such as stretching, yoga or taking a stroll may improve circulation and facilitate toxin release from the body.

Conclusion 

This shall clear your doubts on how long does a hangover last. While the occasional hangover is quite normal, frequent and severe hangovers may point to a more serious problem, perhaps even an addiction related to alcohol intake. You can try the above mentioned remedies to minimise the discomfort.