Tis that time of the year and doctors have issued warning to revellers to avoid binge drinking and substance abuse so as not to suffer hangover the day after.
What is binge drinking?
For men, drinking anything over five units of alcohol, and for women, four units of alcohol constitutes binge drinking. Thirty ml of distilled spirits — gin, rum, vodka, whiskey — or 100 ml of wine or 250 ml of beer constitutes of one unit of alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
How can it affect health?
Revellers may suffer from Holiday Heart Syndrome, if they drink off limits. "Alcohol increases the level of adrenaline hormone in blood, which may cause it to flutter or stop abruptly. Also, acidity can cause vomiting and choking," said Dr Manjusha Agarwal, general physician with Global Hospital in Parel.
Which food items cure hangover?
A hangover entails headache, low blood sugar, diarrhoea and lethargy. Avoid eating chocolates and caffeine, as this may make the hangover worse, say doctors, adding that whole wheat toast with eggs, or oatmeal helps as wheat and oats release carbohydrates slowly in the body and cure hangover. Banana and yoghurt smoothies as well as coconut water are beneficial too to replace lost electrolytes in the body.
What are doctors saying?
"If gulped down in a few minutes, alcohol can be hazardous to health. The drinks should be spaced out and sipped over a long period of time. And also, even if one is not binge drinking, s/he shouldn't drive after consuming alcohol, no matter however small the amount," said Agarwal.
What is shrinks' advice to youngsters?
Psychiatrists advised youngsters to inform their parents about their location while partying on New Year's Eve. They also warned that date rape cases occur when youngsters frequent parties whose hosts they have never met before or are not acquainted with. "Avoid attending parties of unknown people that your friends may force you to come for," said Dr Hozefa Bhinderwala, a senior psychologist.
Youngsters are also increasingly getting lured to consume the drug crystal meth. Bhinderwala said crystal meth has a higher potential for causing psychiatric problems than cocaine or cannabis. "Youngsters should understand that substance abuse, or mixing the drug with sleeping pills or alcohol can have disastrous effects," he added.
Dos and don'ts
Space out your drinks
Drink slowly
Stick to one type of alcohol, mixing drinks can be toxic
White liquor (vodka or white rum) is preferable over dark liquor (black rum or whiskey) as the latter generates more toxins in the body
Avoid eating fried foods, caffeinated energy drinks and fruit juices with alcohol. All these are acidic substances and may aggravate condition
Eat nuts and dry fruits, vitamin C-rich foods like amla and lemon, as well as vitamin B-complex tablets to regain strength after a bad hangover
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}