Alcohol Intoxication and Hangover: Effects on Plasma Electrolyte Concentrations and Acid-Base Balance

Abstract

The relationships between the symptoms of hangover and the concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, Ca⁺⁺, and Mg⁺⁺ ions in plasma and the acid-base balance in capillary blood were studied in 19 healthy volunteers, who, after fasting 10 hours, consumed 1.5 g/kg body wt of ethanol. The intensity of alcohol intoxication and hangover were estimated by using simple rating scales. No significant changes were found in electrolyte concentrations during the observation period of 20 hours. A significant metabolic acidosis, however, was found to occur simultaneously with the most severe hangover. The correlation between the degree of acidosis and the intensity of hangover was statistically significant. It is concluded that hangover is not caused by alterations in plasma electrolyte concentrations but that acidosis, although not being the primary cause of hangover, may contribute to the symptoms. In addition, the results suggest that acid-base analysis might be used as an objective measure of hangover intensity.

Key Words:

• Acid-base balance
• acidosis
• alcohol
• electrolytes
• ethanol
• hangover