Hangover Causes - knowing what they are helps to avoid hangovers

The main cause is you of course! You got way too drunk, mixed your drinks, you didn't eat before going out..

What this does to you is not so simple because it's down to a combination of factors.

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To help you understand better why you may get the next day hangover from hell, here are explanations of the hangover causes:

1. Metabolites & Toxins

These toxins are easily dealt with by your liver in smaller quantities.

However when more alcohol is consumed, more acetaldehyde is produced, which means there is an excess of it in your body which your liver has not been able to deal with.

The toxin is what is considered to be the main contributor to the general 'bad' feeling around your body when you're hungover. You need to 'clean up' excess alcetaldehyde in order to counter this.

2. Dehydration

If the liquid is not replaced, your brain shrinks, causing it to hurt your head. Your brain needs fluid too, and when its fluid is taken away by your body to help rid you of the toxins, it hurts!

Read more about diuretics and dehydration.

Dehydration on its own does not cause a hangover, although it may cause a headache.

Dehydration is not the sole cause of a hangover either, by any means, but when combined with the presence of congeners and acetaldehyde, it will certainly intensify that nasty head you have!

3. Depletion of vitamins and minerals

A reduced level of vitamins and certain minerals, also known as electrolytes, exacerbates your already throbbing head pains, especially on top of the presence of dehydration and the acetaldehyde.

You may also feel weak and have a 'hangover cold': a slight blocked nose, as a result of this.

Many people who have partied and drunk alcohol for days in a row report they catch a cold or an illness shortly thereafter due to the reduced performance of their immune systems and lack of quality sleep.

4. Congeners

I'd recommend never drinking any drink you know to have congeners in future.

Avoiding hangovers should be a priority and there are plenty of other drinks which are almost entirely free of impurities out there.

See which drinks are free from congeners. The above are the main hangover causes. But there are a couple of others which are less well known.

It helps to know about these. So read about more hangover causes

How to avoid hangovers from happening

Hangover prevention is far better.