What symptoms might indicate a hangover after heavy drinking?

The symptoms of nausea, headache, and dry mouth are commonly recognized indicators of a hangover after heavy drinking. When a person consumes a significant amount of alcohol, the body undergoes various physiological changes that can lead to these symptoms.

Nausea is often caused by the irritation of the stomach lining and the disruption of the normal digestive process that alcohol can provoke. Headaches are typically the result of dehydration and the expansion of blood vessels that occurs with alcohol consumption, leading to increased pressure in the head. Dry mouth arises from the dehydrating effects of alcohol on the body, as it inhibits the production of saliva, resulting in a feeling of thirst and discomfort.

These symptoms collectively encapsulate the most frequent and noticeable manifestations of a hangover, which is the body's reaction to excessive alcohol intake.