Why shakes after drinking

Jokes aside, we've all been there. Whether it was the work Christmas party last night, a family get together with far too much free booze or you just had a big one on your Zoom catch-up , sometimes, booze can get the better of you and, in turn, result in some pretty horrific hangover symptoms. Hangover shakes. Hot and cold sweats. A thumping headache. A dry mouth.

They're all pretty bad, but hangover shakes can be particularly annoying, especially if you've got plans or stuff to be getting on with. They're just such a damn giveaway that you've been out boozing the night before. So what exactly causes the god-forsaken shakes?

We spoke to consultant hepatologist and liver expert Dr Alastair O'Brien from The London Clinic to find out, and what he revealed as the cause was actually quite a lot worse than we'd imagined.

Keep reading The shaking you experience following too much alcohol is actually your body having withdrawal symptoms from all the booze you've plied it with. It's basically a mild version of what a drug addict would experience. If this is untreated, the imbalance in the blood sugar levels can become a severe health issue, possibly leading to uncontrollable tremors. Excessive alcohol misuse can produce more than the usual feeling of discomfort the next day.

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause alcohol poisoning , which can be life-threatening. You probably already know how horrible it can feel the morning after a night out. You wake up with a horrible headache, feel nauseous and shaky. Alcohol poisoning occurs when you drink so much alcohol that your liver has major issues keeping up. This mostly happens when you consume a large quantity of alcohol in a relatively short period of time.

This can happen to anyone of any gender, age, or size. If you or someone you love are experiencing tremors or shakes, it may be a sign that you need help. If these do not go away over time, or if you get them after you try to stop drinking or when you have been drinking for a while, seek immediate medical advice.

Otherwise, there is no quick fix to make hangovers go away. This, however, is not advised, as it merely prolongs the symptoms. Take painkillers and keep taking in fluids, especially sports drinks or those with electrolytes; this may relieve dehydration-associated symptoms such as thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, and headache.

Even if your blood alcohol level has returned to normal when your concentration is affected, you should avoid driving, work and other tasks that could be dangerous if you are still suffering from a hangover. The single way to prevent hangovers is to avoid alcohol completely or drink in moderation, providing the body lots of time to process the alcohol before drinking more.

Alcohol shakes are alcohol withdrawal symptoms on a smaller scale. Some people who go through hangover symptoms will experience shakes or tremors, and while scary, they are not always medically dangerous. Excessive drinking for long periods and stopping can cause severe tremors and is a cause for serious concern.

Either way, your body is telling you that it was pushed past what it can do and needed to stop. If you are struggling to give up alcohol on your own, seek medical care at an addiction treatment centre. There are many treatment options available today for alcoholism.

Some advice for frequent drinkers is- do not drink more than 14 units a week consistently. If you wish to cut down, try to have some alcohol-free days each week. You can overcome this before it gets to dangerous levels. You can read more tips for cutting down on our site. Contact Rehab Guide today on for free help. Trained in addictionology in the Johnson Model, and specializing in substance abuse for individual and couple counselling. John's personal experience has given him a wealth of insights, which he integrates into practice.

His extensive training has allowed him to gain expertise in individual and group counselling, concurrent disorders, case management, executing treatment plans and relapse prevention. He started this free helpline as a result of a life change and to help others get sober and live a life free from drugs and alcohol. John covers a variety of topics relating to addiction and recovery in his articles. You can contact us by completing our form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Please leave this field empty. It simultaneously increases the number or sensitivity of receptors that bind to glutamate, another neurotransmitter, in a bid to counter the sedative effects of alcohol. As the alcohol leaves your body, however, your central nervous system, along with part of your sympathetic nervous system, remains unbalanced. Your sympathetic nervous system deals with responses to stress, which includes things like sweating, increased heart rate, and — you guessed it — shakes or tremors.

When blood sugar gets low, it can result in shaking, along with other hangover-like symptoms, including sweating and headaches. A hangover usually begins a few hours after you finish drinking, as your blood alcohol concentration BAC begins to fall. Generally, symptoms peak when BAC hits zero, but can continue for up to 24 hours afterward. In the meantime, you can try to find some relief by sticking with the basics of nursing a hangover:.

Wondering how long it will take to ride the whole thing out? While you can usually manage alcohol withdrawal syndrome on your own, it can be quite uncomfortable. Plus, in some cases, it can involve more severe symptoms, like mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures. Try to take it easy for the day and make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat something.

Adam England is a freelance writer and journalist. He focuses on health, culture, and lifestyle. Here are…. Pedialyte has become a popular hangover cure, but does it really do any good? It turns out, it might help — but not necessarily more than plain water.

According to science, there's a biological reason the effects of alcohol are harder on our bodies as we age. You may have heard that drinking more alcohol is a way to cure your hangover.