Hangovers result in some very unpleasant mental and physical symptoms. They are nature’s way of telling us that we’re harming our bodies. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but the following is a basic guide to what is happening to your body during a hangover.

Hangovers will typically begin only a few hours after you stop drinking. Hangover symptoms will usually peak about the time your BAC (blood alcohol content) has reached zero and can continue for 24 hours. The type of alcohol you have been drinking and the number of drinks you have can have an effect on what your hangover symptoms are.

Fatigue and drowsiness are two common symptoms that can occur. The REM (rapid eye movement) cycle of sleep is important for your brain to get the rest it needs. When you go to sleep with alcohol still in your system, your brain is unable to enter this stage of sleep. Your brain is then unable to relax the way that it needs to.

Hangover headaches are another common occurrence of hangovers. The more alcohol you drink, the more water your body needs. That is why it is so important to drink water before, during and after you consume alcohol. Headaches are a result of your brain becoming too dehydrated. It is not recommended that you take any type of headache reliever (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) because aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining and cause severe liver problems when mixed with alcohol.

Hangovers can cause such physical symptoms as thirst, muscle aches, increased sensitivity to light and sound and redness of the eyes. You may notice yourself having a rapid heartbeat, sweating or even tremors.

Mental symptoms can include dizziness, vertigo (when you feel like the room is spinning) and changes in your mood (anxiety, irritability, and depression)

So what can be done to help these symptoms go away? Rest is the most effective cure, but to speed things along, you can read our tips and tricks for treating hangovers andfind out if bananas really do cure hangovers.