Q. Why do people vomit after drinking too much alcohol? How can it be avoided?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Vomiting after consuming too much alcohol, also known as "alcohol poisoning," is caused by a combination of factors that result in an overload of toxins. It happens when the body has processed more alcohol than it can naturally remove from the system. This leads to elevated levels of acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolic product of ethanol (the type of alcohol found in drinks). These toxins accumulate faster than the body can process them, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting and nausea.
In addition to toxin overload, other contributing factors may include dehydration or eating food that slows down the absorption rate and delays intoxication – thus allowing for extended periods where your body is exposed to high levels of alcohol. When your body becomes overwhelmed with excessive amounts of toxins, it attempts to eliminate them through vomiting which helps prevent further absorption. Vomiting also acts as a defense mechanism against potential kidney and liver damage due to ethanol consumption.
To avoid this uncomfortable experience there are several measures you should take:
1) Limit yourself - If you’re going out drinking make sure not over indulge and set limits before hand on exactly how many drinks you plan on having throughout the night;
2) Set reminders - Have friends remind you periodically throughout night if they notice any signs that suggest you’re having too much;
3) Stay hydrated - Maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty water/non-alcoholic beverages along with alcoholic beverages;
4) Eat beforehand - Eating during or before drinking allows for slower intoxication rate allowing effects less intensified faster metabolisms break down ethanol quicker producing more acute effects;
5) Pace your self - Especially when first introducing yourself into social situation spread out drink over longer period time instead shooting back multiple rounds quickly one after another; use something like four five minute breaks between each drink help maintain steady level intoxication.
By taking all these steps into consideration drinkers limit chance for overly intoxicated state can become very bad outcome even death depending amount consumed . Following these guidelines will help ensure safe enjoyable evening free side-effects nausea vomiting!
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