What should you know about hangover nausea?

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and increase acid, which may trigger queasiness, upper-abdominal discomfort, or vomiting. Fluid loss from increased urination can add thirst, dry mouth, headache, and weakness. Going without food while drinking can also leave you shaky or light-headed when blood sugar falls. These effects can overlap, so nausea after drinking is not proof that alcohol is the only cause.

A hangover commonly improves as the body processes the alcohol and you replace lost fluids. Persistent or unusual symptoms may point to another problem, such as gastritis, acid reflux, food poisoning, or gastroenteritis. Nausea with severe right-sided upper-abdominal pain can also need assessment for gallstones.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If swallowing fluids brings on vomiting, pause briefly and restart with smaller sips. Once your stomach settles, try plain foods such as toast, rice, bananas, soup, or crackers. Rest in a safe position and avoid driving, operating machinery, strenuous activity, and more alcohol until you feel steady.

Avoid taking medicines on an empty, irritated stomach. Ask a pharmacist which pain or nausea medicine is suitable for you, especially if you have liver disease, stomach ulcers, kidney problems, take regular medicines, or may still have alcohol in your system. Do not force food or fluids if you cannot keep them down.

Seek urgent help for confusion, difficulty staying awake, slow or irregular breathing, a seizure, fainting, blue or clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, black stools, or signs of severe dehydration such as very little urine and worsening weakness. These symptoms can signal alcohol poisoning, bleeding, or another acute illness.

Arrange prompt medical advice if vomiting continues, you cannot keep fluids down, symptoms are getting worse rather than easing, or nausea lasts beyond the expected hangover. Fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or nausea after possible contaminated food deserves separate assessment. If someone is difficult to wake, place them on their side and contact emergency services.

Ask what could explain nausea that recurs after small amounts of alcohol, whether your medicines or a stomach condition may contribute, and which fluids or medicines are safe for you. Tell the clinician how much you drank, when symptoms began, whether you vomited, and whether you have pain, fever, diarrhoea, dizziness, or reduced urination.