Woke Up Feeling Hungover but Didn't Drink? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

Feeling hungover without drinking could be due to something you ate the night before.
Image Credit: AnnaStills/iStock/GettyImages

True hangovers happen from drinking too much alcohol (and yes, they do get worse with age). But there are a lot of other things that can make you ​feel​ like you're recovering from a night of heavy drinking even if you didn't consume any booze at all.

Advertisement

Symptoms like dehydration, nausea or vomiting, headache, dizziness and fatigue, after all, are all classic signs of a hangover. But they're also common symptoms associated with a number of other problems. Here's how to figure out what might be ailing you, and what you can do to feel better fast.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

1. You're Dehydrated

Dehydration is actually one of the major culprits of an actual hangover, says Donna Casey, MD, an internist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. So it's not surprising that simply not having enough fluids can leave you feeling lousy. Even losing just 1.5 percent of your body's fluids can leave you with a headache, fatigue, dry mouth and dizziness, notes the Cleveland Clinic.

Falling short on fluids, too, can lead to fluctuations in levels of the body's electrolytes like sodium and potassium. And those imbalances can also cause hangover-like symptoms, Dr. Casey points out. Think muscle aches, lightheadedness, heart palpitations and weakness.

Fix it:​ Start rehydrating by taking small, frequent sips of water, broth or an electrolyte-rich drink like Pedialyte or Gatorade, Dr. Casey recommends. Resist the urge to chug. "Doing so will actually cause the body to excrete more fluid and perpetuate the problem," she says.

Advertisement

Related Reading

2. You've Got the Flu or Another Infection

A nasty bug can definitely mimic symptoms of a hangover. "Much of this overlap is related to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities," Dr. Casey says.

Too much booze can also irritate the lining of your GI tract and cause symptoms similar to a stomach bug like nausea or vomiting, as well as sweating, a fast heart rate and skin flushing, she notes.

Advertisement

Fix it:​ Resting as much as possible and drinking plenty of fluids are the best ways to treat flu-like infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. An over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help if you're achy or feverish, too.

3. You Ate Too Much Sugar

Going big on the sweet stuff at night can potentially leave you feeling crummy the next day. "Excessive sugar before bed can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar to occur, which can lead to disruptive sleep and headaches as well as feelings of shakiness, nausea or general fatigue," explains registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Keep in mind that "excessive" means different things to different people. "We each respond to food and sugar in our own way. For some, it may take a large amount of added sugar to impact how we feel the next day," Palinski-Wade says. "For a person with insulin resistance or diabetes, just small amounts of added sugar can cause these feelings."

Fix it:​ You can combat the effects of low blood sugar by drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced breakfast with lean protein, healthy fat and complex carbohydrates. "Try scrambled eggs with mashed avocado on a slice of whole-grain toast," Palinski-Wade recommends. Some easy exercise like walking helps too.

Advertisement

4. You're Going Through Caffeine Withdrawal

Whether you're trying to quit coffee or just didn't have time to get to your morning cuppa, skipping caffeine when your body expects it is a recipe for feeling, well, awful.

"Symptoms related to caffeine withdrawal include primarily headache, but it may manifest with drowsiness or sluggishness, brain fog, irritability, difficulty concentrating, decreased alertness and depressed mood," Dr. Casey says. "And at the extreme end, it can include nausea, vomiting and muscle aches."

Advertisement

Fix it:​ If you're cutting out caffeine on purpose, you'll minimize symptoms of withdrawal by dropping your consumption gradually, Dr. Casey says. Try trimming back by just a few ounces each day instead of going from a full cup of coffee to nothing at all. And if you just didn't get around to having coffee at your usual time, go make a cup ASAP.

Related Reading

5. You Took Sleeping Meds

Sleeping pills or antidepressants with a sedative effect might help you log more shut-eye, but they can often leave you feeling dizzy, nauseous or headache-y in the morning. In fact, 8 out of 10 people actually say they feel like they have a hangover the day after taking a sleeping pill, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Fix it:​ Talk with your doctor if your sleeping medication is causing hangover-like side effects the next morning. It may be possible to adjust your dose or try a different drug.

6. You Have a Migraine

Alcohol is a common migraine trigger. But even without drinking, waking up with a migraine can feel a lot like the morning after a night of heavy boozing.

In addition to the throbbing head pain, migraines can leave you feeling nauseous and sensitive to light, notes the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Even after the pain subsides, you might feel weak or exhausted.

Fix it:​ There's no cure for migraine, but you may be able to lessen the intensity by taking action against your symptoms as soon as you notice them. Taking your prescribed migraine medication, moving to a dark and quiet room, drinking fluids and placing a cool cloth on your forehead can help, per the NIH.

7. You're Pregnant

Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix, of course. But morning sickness can cause queasiness or vomiting (at any time of the day), and early pregnancy in general can make you feel tired and worn out. It's normal to have aversions to certain foods or smells, too, per the Mayo Clinic.

Fix it:​ For nausea relief, try sucking on ice chips or popsicles to stay hydrated and stick with small, frequent meals instead of bigger ones, recommends ob-gyn Felice Gersh, MD, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in Irvine, California.

You can also ask your practitioner about taking 50 milligrams or less of vitamin B6 daily, which may help ease symptoms of morning sickness, she says.

When to Call the Doctor

Sometimes hangover-like symptoms have a relatively benign cause and a simple fix, like being mildly dehydrated or having a sugar feast before bed. But other times they could be a sign that something is wrong, especially if you wake up feeling hungover without drinking more than once.

If you can't pinpoint an obvious cause for why you're feeling so lousy or can't ease your symptoms with simple at-home measures (like drinking more water or resting), call your doctor, Dr. Casey recommends. "The symptoms could be indicative of another severe illness or severe dehydration that requires immediate medical attention," she says.

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top