Causes – Hangovers are caused by drinking too much alcohol. A single alcoholic drink is enough to trigger a hangover for some people, while others may drink heavily and escape a hangover entirely. Various factors may contribute to a hangover. For example:
Alcohol causes your body to produce more urine. In turn, urinating more than usual can lead to dehydration — often indicated by thirst, dizziness and lightheadedness. Alcohol triggers an inflammatory response from your immune system. Your immune system may trigger certain agents that commonly produce physical symptoms, such as an inability to concentrate, memory problems, decreased appetite and loss of interest in usual activities. Alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid and delays stomach emptying. Any of these factors can cause abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. Alcohol can cause your blood sugar to fall. If your blood sugar dips too low, you may experience fatigue, weakness, shakiness, mood disturbances and even seizures. Alcohol causes your blood vessels to expand, which can lead to headaches. Alcohol can make you sleepy, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often causes awakening in the middle of the night. This may leave you groggy and tired.
Why do I shake and feel weak after drinking?
You wake up after a few drinks, feeling a little worse for wear. While that’s par for the course when it comes hangovers, you might not be as familiar with other symptoms, Take “hangover shakes,” for instance. Yep, that shaky feeling you have after drinking has a name.
- Why do hangover shakes happen, and are they a sign of anything serious? Read on to find out and pick up a few tips to help yourself feel better.
- Many people experience shakes and tremors when they’re hungover, but they’re unlikely to be the same from one person to the next.
- You might notice tremors and shakes mostly in your hands or fingers.
Or, maybe you tend to feel them all over your body. Others report experiencing hangover shakes in their arms, eyes, head, and even their voice. The timeframe can also vary from person to person, depending on how much alcohol is consumed and your body composition.
- Generally, though, they won’t last longer than a day or two.
- If you drink frequently, you might experience more frequent shakes afterward.
- People often associate tremors or shaking with alcohol withdrawal syndrome,
- Turns out, hangover shakes may be the result of the same changes in your nervous system that contribute to withdrawal-related tremors, according to some older research,
When you drink alcohol, your body responds by decreasing the number or sensitivity of receptors that bind to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), It simultaneously increases the number or sensitivity of receptors that bind to glutamate, another neurotransmitter, in a bid to counter the sedative effects of alcohol.
- As the alcohol leaves your body, however, your central nervous system, along with part of your sympathetic nervous system, remains unbalanced.
- Your sympathetic nervous system deals with responses to stress, which includes things like sweating, increased heart rate, and — you guessed it — shakes or tremors.
Low blood sugar might also play a role, as alcohol can have an impact on your body’s ability to monitor blood sugar levels. When blood sugar gets low, it can result in shaking, along with other hangover-like symptoms, including sweating and headaches.
Stay hydrated. Fluids are key after a night of drinking. Try sipping on a sports drink for some added electrolytes. Eat something. Some people swear by eating a big, greasy breakfast after drinking, but that’s not always a wise idea, especially if you’re already feeling a bit queasy. Instead, try eating some bland, easy-on-the-stomach foods like crackers, broth, or toast. This will also help to increase your blood sugar. Rest up. All the quick hangover “cures” in the world can’t compare to taking it easy. If you’ve got the hangover shakes, chances are you’ve also got a headache and a few other symptoms. Allow your body to rest as much as you can, whether that means spending the day in bed or catching a ride to work instead of walking.
Wondering how long it will take to ride the whole thing out? We’ve got you covered. Again, shaking and tremors can also be a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can happen if you’ve been drinking for a while and suddenly stop or sharply reduce your intake.
If you’re concerned that your tremors might be the result of withdrawal, it’s best to reach out to a healthcare professional. While you can usually manage alcohol withdrawal syndrome on your own, it can be quite uncomfortable. Plus, in some cases, it can involve more severe symptoms, like mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
6 Reasons You Feel Tired After Drinking Alcohol
If you aren’t comfortable talking to your usual care team, you can find free, confidential help by calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) help line at 1-800-662-4357. A little bit of shaking after drinking can feel unpleasant, but it usually isn’t anything to worry about it.
Try to take it easy for the day and make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat something. If your shakes last longer than 24 hours, or if you’re concerned that they might be a sign of withdrawal, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Adam England is a freelance writer and journalist.
His work has appeared in publications including The Guardian, Euronews, and VICE UK. He focuses on health, culture, and lifestyle. When he’s not writing, he’s probably listening to music.
Is it normal to feel shaky after drinking?
Why You Have Alcohol Shakes – You may drink because you think it helps relieve your stress and anxiety so you can relax a bit. You feel this way because alcohol increases the effects of a known as GABA, which is responsible for creating feelings of calm and euphoria.
Alcohol also decreases another neurotransmitter, glutamate, that creates excitability. The more you drink, the more difficult it is to increase the GABA and decrease the glutamate, as your body becomes accustomed to the changes and responds by producing less GABA and more glutamate. So, when you do stop drinking, you are no longer feeding your body the alcohol that impacts these neurotransmitters.
However, your body is still overproducing glutamate and underproducing GABA, so you then become hyperexcited. You may become restless, anxious, and shaky. Alcohol shakes, which typically occur in the hands, are not normal. They are a sign that you probably have a substance use disorder, as your body has become addicted.
What to do when feeling weak after drinking?
What else should I ask my healthcare provider? – If you are concerned about hangover symptoms, ask your provider:
Do I have risk factors for alcohol use disorder? Do I have alcohol intolerance or alcohol allergy? What can I do to prevent or reduce hangover symptoms? How much alcohol is safe for me to drink?
A note from Cleveland Clinic A hangover is unpleasant, but symptoms tend to go away within a day or so. If you drank too much alcohol and feel sick, try at-home hangover remedies such as drinking plenty of water, eating some carbs and sleeping. There’s no quick cure for hangovers.
Is shaking part of a hangover?
Hangovers seem to be the body’s way of reminding us about the hazards of overindulgence. Physiologically, it’s a group effort: Diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, and shaking are the classic symptoms. Sometimes, systolic (the upper number) blood pressure goes up, the heart beats faster than normal, and sweat glands overproduce — evidence that the “fight or flight” response is revved up.
Does water help hangover shakes?
How to Get Rid of Shakes After Drinking – Shaking, whatever the cause, is unpleasant, and you will want to know how to get rid of shakes after drinking.
Stop drinking – some people claim another drink will stop the shakes, but this is a short-term fix that causes even more damage in the long run.
If you or someone you love are experiencing hangover shakes, it may be a sign that you need help to stop drinking, which will stop you from shaking. If these do not go away over time, or if you get them after you try to stop drinking or have been drinking for a while, seek immediate medical advice.
Rehydrate – Take in plenty of fluid and consider rehydration salts for recovery—also sports drinks or those with electrolytes. Raising your blood sugar helps, too, so make sure to eat. Dehydration causes the symptoms that lead to hangover shakes to worse.Rest – Your body can recover from hangover shakes better if you give it a helping hand by resting well and staying comfortable.Painkillers – Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help but only if you have stopped drinking.Relaxing activities – To manage anxiety and increase serotonin levels doing some light exercise or an activity you enjoy can help with recovery.Stay warm – Chills from drinking may occur for a few reasons. Alcohol intoxication can cause hypothermia, making you feel warm on the inside. Still, it can cause you to feel fever-like chills resulting in shivering because the actual temperature of your body becomes cooler.Don’t drive – Shakes impair your ability to drive as you aren’t in physical control. Also, your blood alcohol levels are likely still too high to drive safely, The same goes for work if you operate any machinery or work with anything risky.
The single way to prevent hangovers is to avoid alcohol altogether or drink in moderation, providing the body with lots of time to process the alcohol before consuming more.
Why am I shaking so much while hungover?
Is it normal to shake after drinking too much? – Shakiness is a common symptom of a hangover. The shakiness can be due to how your nervous system responds to the stress of the hangover. Low blood sugar can also contribute to tremors and shakes after drinking a lot and not eating and maintaining good hydration.
What foods to avoid when hungover?
No food can erase the effects of a night of drinking alcohol, but the best hangover foods are hydrating and anti-inflammatory. Rest helps, too. Try to avoid greasy foods, sugar, and caffeine which can make your symptoms worse. Instead, stick to water and foods like bananas and crackers.