Meds and food can give you a hangover

WE TEND to think of hangovers as the price we pay for over-indulging in alcohol. However, the signature symptoms can also be caused by medical treatments and conditions.

◆ MIGRAINE HANGOVER: An intense headache, nausea and sensitivity to light are the symptoms most associated with migraine, but some experience a “migraine hangover”, which kicks in after the peak pain has passed.

Known as postdrome, this can cause dizziness, difficulty concentrating, a milder headache and a general feeling of being “spaced out” that can last several hours or even a couple of days.

Dr Andrew Dowson, clinical lead for the East Kent Headache Service, advises avoiding codeine and caffeine medication.

Eating slow-release carbohydrates, such as porridge, can help equalise blood sugar.

◆ SLEEPING PILLS: Over-thecounter sleeping pills typically contain strong antihistamines and can leave you groggy the next day.

Try resetting your body clock by getting some bright sunlight for 10 minutes at around 10am.

◆ LOW BLOOD SUGAR: Even those who don’t have diabetes can experience this, perhaps due to skipping lunch or having a bout of physical activity which leaves you feeling light-headed and dizzy.

Dr Dushyant Sharma, a consultant diabetologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, suggests having a sugary drink or snack, such as a handful of jelly beans.

◆ FOOD: An extreme sensitivity to certain foods, such as wheat or dairy, can cause extra-intestinal “hangover” symptoms such as fatigue and poor concentration.

But little can be done to address the hangover symptoms other than to drink fluids and rest until the feelings pass, says Dr Steven Mann, a gastroenterologist at the Royal Free Hospital in London.