By the Medsmingle Team · Updated 13 November 2026

A hangover is your body recovering from alcohol: dehydration, poor sleep, irritated stomach lining and the effects of breaking alcohol down. There’s no proven cure. Avoiding alcohol is the most reliable prevention; drinking less can reduce risk, but some steps can make the next day easier.

Before and while drinking

• Eat a proper meal before you drink
• Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water
• Alcohol clearance varies between people; do not use a drinks-per-hour rule to judge whether you are safe to drive
• Darker drinks such as whiskey and red wine contain more congeners and may cause worse hangovers than clear drinks

The morning after: what helps

• Fluids: water, oral rehydration drinks or broth
• Bland food: toast, crackers, bananas or eggs to settle the stomach and raise blood sugar
• Sleep, if you can
• Pain relief: ibuprofen or aspirin can help a headache, but may irritate the stomach. Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) after heavy drinking, because the combination can harm the liver.

Myths

• “Hair of the dog”: more alcohol only delays the hangover.
• Coffee cures it: it may make you feel more awake but does not sober you up or speed recovery.
• Greasy breakfast: food helps, but there’s nothing special about grease.

Do hangover supplements work?

Many products are sold to “prevent” hangovers, from vitamins to herbal blends such as Himalaya Party Smart. Research on hangover supplements is limited and mostly low quality, and none protects your liver or makes it safe to drink more. If you try one, don’t use it as a reason to drink beyond safe limits. See our guide on supporting your liver.

Signs of alcohol poisoning: call 911

• Confusion, or can’t be woken
• Vomiting while not fully awake
• Slow or irregular breathing, or seizures
• Pale, bluish or cold, clammy skin
• Low body temperature

Never leave someone to “sleep it off” if they show these signs. Stay with them and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions; place an unconscious person who is breathing on their side. Do not give them food, drink or a cold shower.

When to talk to a doctor

If you often have hangovers, drink to cope, or find it hard to cut down, talk to a doctor. A healthcare professional can help you find alcohol-treatment support.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a hangover last?

Usually up to 24 hours. It can last longer after heavy drinking.

Why do hangovers get worse with age?

Changes in body water, liver processing and sleep may make recovery slower as you get older.

Can I take Tylenol for a hangover?

It’s best avoided after heavy drinking, because alcohol and acetaminophen together can damage the liver. Ibuprofen and aspirin can also cause stomach irritation or bleeding. Ask a pharmacist before using a pain reliever, especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney disease, ulcers or take blood thinners.

More in our Everyday Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

For questions about a prescription or symptoms, speak with your own doctor or pharmacist. For website enquiries, contact our team.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Sources

NIAAA: hangovers; alcohol overdose warning signs.

By the Medsmingle Team · Updated 13 November 2026

Most coughs come with colds and get better on their own, but they can hang around for 3 to 4 weeks. Knowing whether yours is dry or wet helps you choose what will actually help.

Dry cough

A dry cough is tickly and doesn’t bring up mucus. Common causes include the tail end of a cold, allergies, asthma, acid reflux, dry air and some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors).

What helps:

• Honey, a teaspoon on its own or in warm water (not for babies under 1)
• Lozenges for adults to keep the throat moist (choking risk for young children)
• Rest and avoid smoke and other airway irritants.
• Over-the-counter cough suppressants with dextromethorphan, for adults, especially at night

Wet (chesty) cough

A wet cough brings up mucus (phlegm). It’s your body clearing the airways, so you don’t usually want to stop it completely. Causes include colds, flu, bronchitis and sometimes pneumonia.

What helps:

• Plenty of fluids to thin the mucus
• Avoid leaning over bowls of hot water: steam inhalation can cause serious burns.
• Expectorants with guaifenesin (Mucinex), which loosen mucus
• Adults may find a comfortable, slightly raised sleeping position helpful. Never add pillows or incline a baby’s sleep surface.

Cough medicines and children

The FDA advises against over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 2, and many doctors avoid them under age 6. Honey may soothe a cough in children over 1; never give honey to an infant under 1. Always read the label for age limits.

How long should a cough last?

A cough after a cold commonly lasts 3 to 4 weeks. A cough lasting more than 8 weeks in adults (4 weeks in children) is called chronic and should be checked by a doctor.

See a doctor if you have

• A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or chest pain
• Coughing up blood, or thick green or rust-colored mucus with fever
• A high fever, or you feel very unwell
• Night sweats or unexplained weight loss

Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, blue lips, or a child who is struggling to breathe or making a whooping sound.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dry cough turn into a wet cough?

Yes, and the other way round. Many colds start with a dry, tickly cough that becomes chesty, then dry again as you recover.

Should I take a cough suppressant for a wet cough?

Usually not during the day, because coughing clears mucus. Ask a pharmacist whether any medicine is appropriate; cough medicines have limited benefits and can interact with other treatments.

Does honey really help a cough?

Yes. Studies in children over 1 show honey can ease nighttime coughing as well as some cough medicines.

More in our Everyday Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

For questions about a prescription or symptoms, speak with your own doctor or pharmacist. For website enquiries, contact our team.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Sources

NHS: cough; NHS burns specialists: steam-inhalation risks.