Partying at Penn is an intersection of two extremes. Students here usually hit up the scene hard, and often. And as much as the folks at AlcoholEdu may wish otherwise, we know you won't "pace your drinking." We know you won't alternate alcoholic drinks with juice. (Jungle Juice, maybe.) We know you won't stick to one drink an hour and that you probably won't stick to one type of alcohol. And since failing out of school isn't an option, we Penn students are forced to figure out a way to work hard while playing harder, an effort complicated by the all-too-unfortunate existence of the hangover. Here are some tips, compliments of WebMD and Penn Nursing, to cure that hangover so that you can make that Friday morning class you wish you hadn't signed up for.
A hangover is your body's response to two things: dehydration and an overwhelmed liver. Burning through those tequila shots keeps your liver from creating the glucose that your body requires to fuel itself. So drink a LOT of water - like four, five Nalgenes full. And pee a lot too (clear and copious is the way to be). As a habit, leave a bottle of water next to your bed before you go out and down it in the morning. This should also score you points when you bring home a thirsty (read: wasted) bedmate.
As for your body's craving for sugar, don't go snacking on cookies or ice cream; you'll regret that later. Stick to non-acidic juices (like apple or tomato) to give your body what it craves.
Of course, you can also eat. A banana or chocolate bar is a quick pick me up if you're on the run, but try indulging in something a bit less, well, indulgent. Something bland and full of protein, like a poached egg on wheat toast, will help to rejuvenate you. If you think you can handle some grease, look no further than Bui's food truck on 38th and Spruce. Try the hangover special, a one-of-a-kind grease, egg, and Gatorade concoction.
If your stomach feels weak, steer clear of pain killers. However, if the throbbing in your head is your main concern, go ahead and pop a couple aspirin or ibuprofen. DO NOT take acetaminophen (Tylenol). The drug is notorious for making nausea even worse. If you can make it to CVS, Advil or Excedrin will help relieve a headache, and you can pick up a Gatorade to replenish lost electrolytes. Although it won't help much the morning after, Nursing student Erica Simon, N'11, suggests taking Vitamin B6 or prickly pear extract before drinking, a tip she picked up in Nursing 112 (Nutrition: Science & Applications).
Coffee may be tempting, but try to abstain. Caffeine, like alcohol, is a diuretic and will dehydrate your body even further. Can't live without the warm drip of coffee down your throat? Try decaf.
Of course, ask any doctor and they will tell you that there is only one true cure for a hangover: don't get drunk. But what do they know?
