Tips for Recovering from a Debilitating 2 Day Long Hangover

Understanding and Recovering from a Severe 2 Day Hangover

Hangovers after an intense night of drinking can be miserable experiences. While hangovers typically resolve within 24 hours, some extremely severe hangovers can last 2 days or longer. These extended hangovers arise after heavy binge drinking and are hallmarked by prolonged gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, trembling, dizziness, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, and far more pain than a regular hangover.

Causes of a 2 Day Hangover

Several key factors promote hungover symptoms persisting longer than normal:

• Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol leading to a higher blood alcohol concentration
• Drinking beverages with higher congeners concentrations such as bourbon or wine
• Becoming severely dehydrated from fluids lost through vomiting and urination
• Failing to eat anything substantial before or while drinking
• Drinking beyond the point of blacking out or memory loss

Symptoms of a Lengthy 2 Day Hangover

A hangover dragging on for 48 hours or more tends to cause more extreme symptoms including:

• Throbbing headache and extreme light and sound sensitivity
• Protracted nausea with recurrent vomiting episodes
• Severe lack of energy, fatigue, body aches and pains
• Rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremors and anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating, impaired cognition and focus
• Irritability, depression, shame or embarrassment

Tips to Help Recover from a 2 Day Hangover

1. Drink Plenty of Fluids and Electrolytes

After a heavy night of drinking, the body often expels far more fluids than it retains or replenishes. Vomiting and frequent urination contribute to dehydration. Rehydrating is vital for recovering from extended hangovers:

• Drink water gradually starting with a few small sips
• Try diluted fruit juice and coconut water for electrolyte replenishment
• Sip on broths and soups to provide hydration along with vitamins and minerals
• Avoid diuretics like coffee, tea and soda that can worsen dehydration
• Use an oral rehydration solution if experiencing heavy vomiting or diarrhea

2. Choose Hangover-Friendly Foods

Certain foods can help settle the stomach, provide energy and relief, and deliver vitamins needed for recovery. Good choices include:

• Bananas - Provide potassium to balance electrolytes
• Eggs - Contain cysteine to break down toxins plus protein for stamina
• Chicken soup or bone broth - Supply fluid along with sodium and potassium
• Honey - Offers easily digestible carbohydrates
• Avocados - Loaded with vitamins plus fiber to help absorb toxins

3. Take a Multivitamin and Supplements

Alcohol depletes important vitamins and minerals leading to tiredness, shakes, muscle cramps. Restoring these through a daily multivitamin speeds healing. Useful supplements additionally include:

• B complex - Boosts energy and brain function
• Magnesium - Eases headaches, cramps, nausea and fatigue
• Milk thistle - Helps liver better process alcohol byproducts
• Ginger - Reduces nausea and calms gastrointestinal upset
• Prickly pear extract - Thought to ease hangover nausea and inflammation

4. Use Over-the-Counter Meds as Needed

Medications can directly target unpleasant hangover symptoms for faster relief. Useful options include:

• NSAIDs like ibuprofen to alleviate headache, body aches and fever
• Antacids to settle an upset stomach
• Pepto bismol to control diarrhea symptoms
• Anti-nausea medications if vomiting persists
• Electrolyte solution for dehydration

5. Get Plenty of Quality Rest and Sleep

Sleep deprivation along with alcohol withdrawal leaves the body utterly exhausted. Getting extra rest enables recovery by:

• Allowing time for alcohol metabolites to fully process
• Restoring cognitive function and mental clarity
• Reducing stress hormones that induce symptoms like rapid heart rate
• Promoting healing, repair and growth of tissues
• Resetting the bodys sleep-wake cycle

6. Include Light Exercise Such as Yoga or a Walk

While hardcore workouts are ill-advised, gentle exercise helps counteract a lengthy hangover. Benefits include:

• Boosts endorphin levels to elevate mood
• Gets blood flowing to improve oxygen and nutrient delivery
• Stretches muscles and stimulates lymph drainage
• Enhances toxin and waste elimination
• Balances electrolyte levels

7. Consider Taking Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is thought to alleviate hangovers through toxin binding. It may:

• Absorb leftover alcohol and methanol digestion byproducts
• Reduce toxin reabsorption from the intestines
• Lessen stomach bloating by capturing gases
• Relieve headaches by filtering blood
• Take 30-90 minutes before or after using medications as it absorbs most drugs

8. Avoid Trigger Foods Until Recovered

Some foods commonly trigger nausea, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms during hangovers. Its best to avoid:

• Fatty, greasy or fried fare which is heavy and difficult to digest
• Dairy products that may cause bloating, gas or diarrhea
• Spicy foods containing peppers, chilies or other irritants
• Foods with strong smells that can induce nausea
• Simple refined carbs with little nutritional value

9. Visit a Medical Provider if Symptoms Persist

For most people, hangovers resolve within 24 to 48 hours. But if severe symptoms last beyond this, promptly consult a doctor. Prolonged issues warranting evaluation include:

• Inability to retain fluids down due to vomiting
• Extreme vertigo, loss of balance or coordination problems
• Ongoing tremors, seizures or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty waking fully or mental confusion lasting over 48 hours
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, fever or panic attacks

Such issues may indicate alcohol poisoning or a more serious condition requiring medical treatment. When very severe hangovers strike, dont hesitate to seek emergency help.

Preventing Future 2 Day Hangovers

Understand Your Limits

Once you have experienced a brutal extended hangover, respect the amount you can actually tolerate. Take steps to curb overconsumption:

• Count your drinks and stick to a reasonable limit
• Sip drinks slowly rather than gulping them
• Have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink
• Avoid drinking games, shots and binge behaviors
• Make sure to eat enough before and while drinking

Avoid Congener-Rich Beverages

Darker alcohols like bourbon, rum and red wine contain chemical congeners contributing to hangovers. Limit intake of:

• Whiskey
• Brandy
• Tequila
• Port wine
• Dark beer and ales

Clear liquors like vodka and gin with lower congener levels make easier cocktail options.

Alternate Alcohol with Non-Alcoholics

Slow absorption of alcohol by spacing out drinks. Alternating with non-alcoholics further reduces overall consumption.

• Have a glass of water or fruit juice between each alcoholic
• Consider lower alcohol wine spritzers and beer
• Mix cocktails with plenty of juice, seltzer or soda water
• Stick to one standard drink per hour maximum

Know What to Avoid Mixing Together

Some drink combinations promote severe hangovers. Steer clear of:

• Champagne plus dark liquors like whiskey or rum
• Mixing several types of alcohol
• Flipping back and forth between beer, wine and liquor
• Drinking while taking medications, supplements or drugs

Ask Friends to Help Guide Drinking

Buddies can assist with keeping drinking in check:

• They can monitor and tally number of drinks
• Encourage slowing down or stopping intake
• Discourage rapid consumption or shots
• Cut off clearly intoxicated individuals
• Ensure eating food and alternate drinks
• Make sure friends arrive home safely

Hangovers lasting longer than 24 hours put health at risk. Being aware of what causes extended hangovers allows prevention. Moderation and smart drinking habits help avoid repeating the miserable 2-day recovery ordeal.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.