Avoid nasty hangovers

THE large number of people who fronted Cairns Hospital’s emergency department on New Year’s Day with alcohol-related illnesses should be ashamed of themselves.

A record number of people – 253 – turned up at the emergency department (ED) on January 1 after New Year Eve’s celebrations, nearly 30 more than in 2016, and almost a quarter more than the last high in May last year.

The hospital says, diplomatically, that “the high number was contributed to increased alcohol related trauma”.

The ED is not a place for partygoers to seek help with hangovers and log jam a department that struggles to cope with genuine emergencies.

Drunkenness was in the top 10 of reasons why people sought help at the ED last year, number 8 in the list, topped by abdominal pain.

People, who over indulge in booze and then expect hardworking nurses and doctors to fix their headache, nausea and other aspects of their irresponsible behaviour, need a wake up call.

If you get drunk then the usual consequence is a hangover. The ED is not the place to seek a cure.

A simple, well known “fix” is water. Alcohol is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. It is strongly suggested drinking water before sleeping after a night out on the grog.

Carbs can help bring blood sugar levels back up the morning after and the best painkillers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Limit drinks to about one every hour, eat before drinking and consume a glass of water with each alcoholic drink.

However, quite simply, the best cure is prevention.