The day after a night of drinking can feel like hell. You may feel and honestly believe that you are going to die. You may go to Hangover Hospital Key West genuinely thinking that your life is ending. However, you are far from dead when you have the most serious hangover.
Though the aftermath of such drinking can be pretty serious, it most likely will not kill you. On the other hand, you need to understand the difference between a hangover and a case of alcohol poisoning.
Once you know the difference, you can understand whether you are simply dealing with a hangover or alcohol is truly killing you.
Alcohol Poisoning vs. Hangover
Alcohol is a strong chemical, with ethanol, its main ingredient being a very potent one. If you take excessive amounts of alcohol, you can become a victim of alcohol poisoning. The body can process a particular amount of alcohol within a certain period. However, when you drink too much alcohol, dramatically increasing your blood alcohol level, you can poison your blood with alcohol.
The symptoms of hangover manifest themselves after the blood alcohol level in your body drops significantly. Contrarily, the symptoms of alcohol poisoning will appear as soon as your blood alcohol level reaches a hazardous level.
About six people die in the United States every day due to alcohol poisoning. Therefore, you should learn to spot the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, which include:
- Vomiting
- Irregular breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Pale skin and
- Confusion
You need immediate medical attention if you are a victim of alcohol poisoning. If your heart rate and breathing become too slow, you could fall into a coma and possibly die.
Why Do Hangovers Feel So Terrible?
Hangovers feel so bad that you may think your life is about to end. Though you might not be dying, there are reasons why hangovers feel so awful.
For starters, alcohol will depress your central nervous system. When main neural pathways in your body are blocked, the body cannot function optimally, especially in terms of recovery hence the weakness and fatigue you feel when you have a hangover.
The dehydration you feel is also a substantial reason why you feel so bad during a hangover. Having enough water in your body is crucial to operate normally and remove alcohol from your body. Alcohol makes your body hold less water which will also lead to dehydration.
Excessive alcohol consumption will also lead to inflammation of the stomach lining. It will irritate the stomach and small intestines before and during absorption hence causing an awful feeling. The increased acid production in your stomach by alcohol will lead to a burning sensation in your upper abdomen as well as nausea and vomiting.
Sleep is vital for the body’s recovery from damage, and alcohol will ruin your sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, you feel horrible, which is another reason you feel like dying. Alcohol will cause a drop in blood sugar which also has adverse effects on the body.
In conclusion, you will likely not die if you have a hangover. However, you could die if it is a case of alcohol poisoning rather than a hangover. Learn to recognize the difference and act accordingly. For more assistance, visit a hangover hospital.