The government is urging people to ‘know the signs’ in a fresh alert
A fresh warning has been put out that affects anyone who gets hangovers after drinking alcohol. Hangovers happen due to several reasons related to drinking alcohol. One major factor is dehydration, which can make you feel thirsty and give you a headache.
Another reason is inflammation, which can lead to feeling unwell and experiencing pain. Drinking can also irritate your stomach, causing nausea. When your body breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a harmful substance that can lead to headaches and feeling sick.
Other things that can make hangovers worse include low blood sugar, poor sleep, and increased brain activity. Lastly, congeners, which are substances found in some alcoholic drinks, can also make hangover symptoms more severe.
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People who have experienced hangovers before may be familiar with the symptoms and know what to expect. However, there are some symptoms and red-flag signs that mean your hangover is far from ‘normal’ and requires medical attention straight away.
Brits are being urged to “know the signs” of methanol poisoning, which can make a hangover feel much worse than it should be and requires people to ‘act fast’. In a fresh warning issued by the government, it said: “It only takes a small amount of methanol to rapidly cause serious illness or death.”
It added: “Watch out for a hangover that feels worse than it should be as well as distinctive symptoms such as vision problems. If you suspect methanol poisoning, seek urgent medical help.”
Getting poisoned by methanol from drinking isn’t very common in places that have proper regulations enforced. However, it is a big issue in areas where fake or homemade alcohol is made a lot.
Methanol poisoning outbreaks happen all over the world, especially in developing countries, and they impact both tourists and locals who drink fake alcoholic beverages. The risk arises when cheap industrial methanol is mixed into illegal alcohol to save money or when distillation is done poorly.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of alcohol poisoning, like being unconscious, having seizures, breathing slowly or irregularly (less than eight breaths a minute or taking more than 10 seconds between breaths), or having pale or bluish skin, you should get medical help right away. Regular hangovers can feel bad, but these symptoms mean it’s a serious medical emergency that needs a doctor.
What is methanol poisoning, and where is it more common?
Methanol is harmful even in tiny amounts. It is a type of industrial alcohol created by distilling wood and is present in various commercial products, such as antifreeze, fuel, and paint thinners. In certain regions, methanol is sometimes illegally combined with actual alcohol, like drinks made from spirits and cocktails.
It is more common in Asia, with outbreaks frequently reported in countries like Indonesia, India, and Vietnam. Cases have also been reported in Africa, Latin America, and sometimes in Europe or the United States due to counterfeit or illicitly produced alcohol.
Popular tourist destinations can sometimes become hotspots due to the availability of inexpensive, locally produced drinks, especially those made at home or served in unlicensed venues.
How can you spot signs of methanol poisoning?
Spotting methanol poisoning can be difficult because, at first, it can affect you in the same ways as ‘real’ alcohol. Signs to watch for include early signs, like vomiting, poor judgment, loss of balance and drowsiness.
Between 12-48 hours after drinking, you’ll usually experience abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma and convulsions. If you or someone you are travelling with has any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.
Vision issues are a red flag and can also appear 12 to 48 hours after the first drink. Methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, and, in some cases, complete blindness. If you have “snowfield vision” (seeing snowy static like an old TV) or tunnel vision, seek urgent medical help. Urgent medical attention could save your life or prevent serious complications.
How can you reduce the risk of methanol poisoning?
It is not possible to completely remove the risks from methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol, but you can take steps to reduce the risk. Avoid homemade or streetside alcohol. Don’t drink from unlabelled bottles. Local spirits or homemade alcohol are high risk.
Stick to licensed places. Only buy your drinks from licensed liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Check bottles. Stick to sealed or bottled drinks. Seals should be intact, labels aren’t always accurate and can be counterfeit.
Be cautious about spirits, cocktails, shots, unusually cheap or free drinks. Pre-mixed cocktails served in “buckets” or jugs in tourist areas can be high risk.
How is methanol poisoning treated?
If you suspect methanol poisoning, either for yourself or a mate, you need to act fast. Timing is critical. Get medical help straight away. Don’t wait to “see if it gets better.” Call for emergency help or head to the nearest hospital.
Doctors will give you an antidote like ethanol or a drug called Fomepizole to stop methanol from turning toxic in your body. You may also require dialysis to flush out the methanol and repair the damage. Treatment is most effective within 10–30 hours of drinking methanol.
To reduce health risks from alcohol, the UK guidelines suggest that both men and women should not drink more than 14 units each week on a regular basis. They also recommend spreading this drinking out over three or more days and having a few days each week without any drinks. Remember to always Drinkaware.
