Happy hangover
Id venture to say it happens to most of us this time of year: the post-holiday-party hangover. When I asked Dr. Wright for some tips on curing that headach-y, queasy, all-around out-of-it feeling, he had some pretty solid, simple advice — drink lots of water and DON’T take any aspirin.
Water seems too simple a solution (no pun intended). But it works: Alcohol causes dehydration, so drinking lots of water before bed and throughout the next day will go a long way in curbing your hangover. In fact, some researchers believe that it is the water people drink in order to swallow other purported hangover remedies, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, that makes the difference — not the pills themselves.
The reason you should avoid aspirin and ibuprofen is that they’re hard on your stomach, and so is alcohol. And products containing acetaminophen are hard on your liver too — which doesn’t need any extra strain while its working overtime to process all the alcohol you’ve consumed.
If you want to add to your hangover arsenal, I did dig up a few more natural remedies, compliments of Dr. Allan Spreen, a member of the Health Sciences Institute Advisory Panel. Dr. Spreen suggests taking the herb fever few in place of aspirin to ward off the headache without disturbing your stomach any further. Ginger capsules in 500mg dose or drinking ginger tea will soothe your stomach. And an extra dose of vitamin B-complex will help, particularly if taken in advance of your night out, but also the next morning if you experience low energy.
Of course, the only surefire way to avoid a holiday hangover is abstinence. Or at least, moderation, which is technically just one or two drinks over the course of a night out. But that can be easier said than done in the midst of the seasons festivities.
Enjoy yourself, but do it responsibly. And try to make these tips ones you only need very, very occasionally.
Senior moment, or worse?
Q: I recently turned 65, and I am starting to worry if Ill know the difference between your average senior moment and the onset of Alzheimer’s. How will I know when I’m in trouble, and is there anything I can do to stave it off?
JVW: Alzheimer’s is a growing fear — and a growing reality — for many aging adults. One of the problems is that the onset is often very gradual and subtle. The list below outlines the top 10 warning signs you should look out for:
1. Memory loss that affects job skills
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative
Of course, not all people who experience these things have Alzheimer’s. Its important to see a doctor and have a thorough evaluation if you do notice that several of them apply to you. But in the meantime, there are some things you can do to support your health and protect yourself.
Taking lithium as a supplement is one of them. Lithium can remove aluminum from the brain, and a high level of aluminum has been shown in Alzheimer’s patients and is thought to be a contributing factor in the development of the disease. See the article in the August 2003 issue of Nutrition & Healing for more information on lithium’s brain-protecting benefits.
Following a diet rich in antioxidants and taking supplemental vitamins C and E can also be helpful. A recent study also showed that testosterone supplementation might be useful in protecting against Alzheimer’s. Of course, anything you can do — diet, exercise, lifestyle — that supports living a vibrant and active life can help keep the brain functioning at a higher level.
What are diuretics?
Diuretics are a diverse group of compounds — some natural and some synthetic — that either stimulate or inhibit various hormones to regulate urine production by the kidneys.
Caffeine and alcohol are two of the most common diuretics that people consume, along with many medications. Inducing a diuretic effect in the body can be helpful in many cases, for example, in treating heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, and certain kidney diseases.
However, too much fluid loss through diuretics can be problematic. Some people abuse diuretics in attempts at weight loss, or as a complication of anorexia and bulimia. Dire health consequences can result from the misuse of diuretics, such as kidney failure, cardiac erythmias, electrolyte imbalance, potassium deficiency, headaches and dizziness.
After all, the human body is made up of two thirds water — drain too much, and all of your organs will find it difficult to function.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
Sources:
Allan Spreen, M.D. Natural Hangover Cures, iVillage (www.ivillage.com), accessed 12/10/04
