Dangers of Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic which means it makes the body lose water. It explains why you're constantly going to the loo on a night out! Although you've drunk a large volume you are essentially dehydrated.

This can cause:

• Headaches and a dry mouth Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly, triggering pain sensors on the outside surface of your brain
• Nausea Alcohol is irritant to the stomach making you feel a little delicate or sick
• Trembling Your blood sugar levels may have dropped after drinking excessively, making you feel weak and shaky
• Irritability and tiredness Triggered by the fact that toxins (waste products) are still in your system and your body is desperately trying to sort itself out.

Top tips... for avoiding a heavy-duty hangover:

• Try drinking a lot of water when you're in the bar
• Don't mix drinks
• Match water for alcohol throughout the night e.g. try to drink a glass of water for every glass of wine to help you avoid dehydration
• Drink at least a pint of water when you get in, keep sipping if you wake up in the night and drink water (not caffeine) the next day to restore lost fluids.