Classic dehydration symptoms after a big night out can include a dry mouth, fatigue and a headache.
The good news is that you can reduce the effects of dehydration with a bit of pre-planning. It’s all about making sure that you replace the water and electrolytes you lose when you drink alcohol. Hydralyte rapidly rehydrates you and helps you recover sooner.
Why does alcohol dehydrate you?
Fact 1: Alcohol acts as a diuretic (a substance that increases urine output)
Fact 2: For every standard drink you consume (10 mg of pure alcohol) you are likely to urinate 100 mL more than you drink, leading to dehydration
Fact 3: Headache, dry mouth, fatigue and dizziness are symptoms of dehydration
Fact 4: Hydralyte is an effective treatment of dehydration
The National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) recommends that adult men and women drink no more than 4 standard drinks on any one drinking occasion. Above that number is considered excess and can increase the risk of health-related injuries.
Excessive alcohol consumption involving 6 to 10 standard drinks could therefore lead to a net fluid loss of 600–1000 mL or more, and therefore dehydration.
How can Hydralyte help you feel better?
If you are planning on having a night out, you can take steps to minimise the likelihood of becoming dehydrated.
Drinking non-alcoholic beverages (e.g. water, juice) during and soon after alcohol consumption may reduce the level of dehydration.
However, drinking an oral rehydration solution (Hydralyte) offers some advantages:
- Rehydration is likely to be more rapid
- The retention of water and electrolytes is enhanced
How can you avoid becoming dehydrated?
- Try and get into the habit of having a glass of water for every second drink.
- Pack a sachet of Hydralyte in your pocket (gents) or a tube of effervescent tablets in your clutch (ladies) just as you would your keys or lipgloss. You will thank us after your big night. It’s also a great way to make friends if you have some to share with those who didn’t bring their own.
- Always have a supply of Hydralyte in the fridge or leave some on the kitchen bench as a reminder when you get home.
- Hydrating with 200-400 mL of a product like Hydralyte before you go to bed, rather than when you wake up dehydrated, will go a long way to making the next day more bearable.
Suggested dose
Take 400 mL of Hydralyte (slowly) after the drinking occasion and prior to going to bed.