Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 For all the reasons, the ideal is not to drink alcoholic beverages at all. If you drink, always do it sparingly and responsibly . You should know your limits and not exceed it; Avoid drinking under circumstances that favor alcohol effects; Do not drink alcoholic beverages every day, nor most days, only in special days or celebrations. Even when drinking alcohol occasionally, if the limits are exceeded, anything from mild symptoms to a life-threatening alcoholic coma can occur. When to seek emergency care for drunkenness If you are with someone who is, or has been, drinking and who has any of the following symptoms, ask for help by calling, in Portugal, 112 : Changes in the state of consciousness; Seizures; Unconsciousness without recovering within 60 seconds. Other symptoms of drunkenness The most common effects when you drink a lot in a short period of time, but without reaching a level that requires emergency medical care, are: Euphoria, disinhibition, inappropriate behavior, and coordination, speech, attention, and memory changes. There are other symptoms associated with drunkenness for which the advice of a health care professional should be sought, and that are, for example: Body temperature decrease; Pallor; Persistent vomiting; Falls. In these cases, LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – can help. Helping someone who drank too much It you are with someone drunk, it is very important: Do not leave the person alone . She must be accompanied by someone who can supervise and support her as necessary; Check if there is no risk of falling . The place for the person to lie down or sit should reduce the possibility of falling; Rest. If a drunk person wants to rest lying down, she must do it on a side , to prevent from choking if she has any vomiting; Maintain an adequate body temperature , staying in a warm place or with warm clothes when this is not possible; Give n on-alcoholic hot beverages to drink, for example coffee or tea, as long as there is no vomiting or nausea; Do not let those who drink drive or do activities at risk for themselves or for others. What is a hangover? Excess alcohol has other effects later, a few hours after stop drinking or when waking up the day after. These are a set of unpleasant symptoms known as a hangover . Hangover symptoms are due to dehydration and alcohol levels reducing in the blood . They may not be all present, but the most common are: Dry mouth and thirst; Headache and body aches; Tiredness, weakness; Tremors, dizziness, nausea and vomiting; Exaggerated sensitivity to noise and light; Mood changes, especially increased irritability and anxiety; Increased heart rate; Problems with memory, concentration, and dexterity, that are often unaware by those who have it and can interfere with daily, personal, or professional activities. How is a hangover treated? A hangover alone can last a day or two and usually goes away on its own. There is no specific treatment for a hangover. Drinking water to rehydrate, taking a painkiller for a headache, and eating light meals for your stomach to recover can help. For nausea and vomiting, it is necessary to prevent dehydration and calm stomach irritation . Drinking alcohol again does not help, it just delays and prolongs the problem . The more frequent the excesses of alcohol, the greater the probability and severity of hangover symptoms. What are the limits to not having a hangover? Not all people have the same tolerance to alcohol , some people are more sensitive to its effects than others. Therefore, there is no single limit for everyone. In addition to these individual characteristics, the effects of alcohol are aggravated by : Drinking on an empty stomach; Smoking or taking other drugs simultaneously; Sleeping poorly or an insufficient number of hours after drinking; Type of drinks; Family history of alcoholism. Prevent a hangover The only way to prevent a hangover is not drinking alcoholic beverages in excess . Even when drinking alcohol in moderate amounts, it is important to: Not exceed individual limits; Not drink on an empty stomach. Foods, before or with alcohol help to slow down the absorption of alcohol; Not mix different kind of alcoholic beverages; Maintain a good hydration by also drinking water. Other medical care Excess alcohol has effects on health and well-being , in the short and long term, on family and social relationships, and on academic and professional performance . You should always seek medical attention: If you feel a need to drink alcohol frequently; If you drink too much frequently; If you think drinking alcohol is causing you problems. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
