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For many people, enjoying a few alcoholic beverages can come at a cost — including nausea, headaches and more symptoms of morning-after hangovers.

On TikTok and other social media platforms, claims are making the rounds that actions such as chugging down a sports drink, using an electrolyte powdered mix or scheduling an appointment to receive an IV with electrolytes has helped people handle hangovers.

Does electrolyte supplementation really expedite the recovery of a hangover? Fox News Digital spoke with some experts to find out.

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Electrolytes are positive or negative electrically charged substances that help the body maintain the optimal fluid balance inside and outside the cells, and also help to regulate chemical reactions, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website.

Electrolytes can come from foods and beverages like sports drinks, coconut water and other types of juices.

A person can lose electrolytes after a workout through sweat or when dealing with illness and vomiting, including from hangovers, health experts told Fox News Digital.

"Drinking alcohol can cause one to be dehydrated, because it has a tendency to inhibit the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys reabsorb water," Dr. Fred Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health - Long Island Jewish Medical Center on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.

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"This leads to a loss of more water when you urinate that the body would have reabsorbed through the kidneys," he continued. 

"Along with this water loss in the urine goes a number of electrolytes, specifically sodium and potassium." 

Sodium and potassium are the key electrolytes involved in the regulation of water in and out of cells, Davis said — and when they are low, symptoms like headaches, muscle aches and fatigue can result.

The supplementation of electrolytes — particularly sodium and potassium — can be helpful in warding off many of the effects of hangovers, multiple experts told Fox News Digital.

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"Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination, which can cause disruptions in fluid and electrolyte balance," Laura Feldman, a registered dietitian nutritionist and an assistant professor of nutrition at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

"Restoring this balance with electrolyte replacements is logical."

More research is needed to determine whether taking electrolytes helps shorten a hangover's duration, Feldman said.

"However, sports drinks and other electrolyte replacement drinks can also provide fluid and carbs, which can help address hangover symptoms," she noted. 

"For people who are experiencing nausea and vomiting, carbohydrate- and electrolyte-filled fluids may be the only thing they can tolerate."

When it comes to receiving IV drips that contain electrolytes, Feldman said they can be a quick way to hydrate after a hangover, but cautioned that they tend to be expensive and carry a potential risk of infections.

Some recent college graduates shared with Fox News Digital their "go-to hangover cures." 

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Of the five who commented, all included a sports drink or electrolyte powdered drink mix, along with an over-the-counter pain reliever, to help with their morning recovery (along with a greasy breakfast sandwich).

One nutrition expert pointed out that the effectiveness of electrolytes for treating hangovers could be partly a psychological effect.

"It might be more of a ‘placebo effect’ with the electrolyte products," Dr. Deborah Salvatore, director of graduate nutrition programs at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital.

It may not be that electrolytes specifically treat the hangover but that they boost fluid intake to alleviate symptoms of dehydration, she said.

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Beyond boosting electrolytes — and the obvious approach of drinking less alcohol — there are other ways to minimize the symptoms of a hangover, said expertd.

"If you choose to drink alcohol, the best way to avoid a hangover is to make sure you are well-hydrated beforehand," Davis told Fox News Digital.

He also suggested drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink — and before going to sleep — to help reduce the dehydration effects.

In Feldman’s view, the best cure for a hangover is patience.

"The symptoms will typically resolve within 24 hours," she said. 

"However, if having an electrolyte replacement drink helps someone feel better — even anecdotally — there is minimal risk, so I say go for it."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

On the eve of the official start of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Pan-American International Insurance Corporation building radiated a brilliant pink glow.

On Saturday evening, their Cheapside, St Michael, location came alive with this vibrant hue after a brief ceremony. This display not only symbolised the spirit of resilience, hope, and unity in the global fight against breast cancer but also highlighted the organisation’s unwavering commitment to this cause.

General Manager Michael Lucas extended a warm welcome before introducing the featured speaker, Agency Manager and cancer survivor Gloria King-Kirton. She began by acknowledging the strength and tenacity of countless individuals who have been touched by breast cancer, whether as survivors, caregivers, or advocates.

“Each one of us, including myself, is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and the relentless pursuit of a better, healthier future,”  King-Kirton said.

In her address, she underscored the significance of illuminating the building, emphasising, “It serves as a reminder that by coming together as a community, we can empower, educate, and inspire change.”

She encouraged attendees to support local cancer awareness groups and serve as advocates and sources of inspiration for others to do the same.

King-Kirton, who had passionately supported the cause before her own diagnosis, shared her personal journey of battling and triumphing over cancer, offering powerful inspiration to those gathered. She recounted, “Two years ago, I was not only diagnosed with breast cancer but had a double mastectomy, which I was not prepared for either mentally or emotionally.”

Through her emotional testimony, she emphasised the importance of a dedicated support network during challenging times. She stated, “Today, I stand as a testimony of what community means. It is the community that provided the support, praise, and encouragement during those difficult times.”

Special gratitude was expressed to the company for their steadfast support.

She said, “It was Pan American International Insurance Corporation who provided all my financial needs through our very own unique benefits, including cancer care designed specifically for this cause. Tonight, I am immensely proud of the Pan American Life Insurance team for their dedication to this cause.”

She assured the audience, “Our commitment to corporate social responsibility is not just a part of our identity; it’s at the core of who we are. We believe that businesses have the power to effect positive change, and together, we can create a world where breast cancer is no longer a threat to our loved ones.”

In conclusion, just before the ceremonial lighting, King-Kirton advised, “Together, let us make this Breast Cancer Awareness Month a month of action, compassion, and progress. Together, we can bring about a brighter, healthier future for all.” (STT)

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By Emmanuel Joseph

Health authorities say food manufacturing and packaging plant, Hill Milling Company Limited is expected to get the green light to reopen shortly.

The news from Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Arthur Phillips came on Friday afternoon, just over three months after environmental health officials closed the Haggatt Hall, St Michael company and dumped more than $500 000 in food items because of a rat infestation.

Although he declined to estimate a timeframe for the resumption of operations, Dr Phillips said he was comfortable Hill Milling was on track to get back to business soon.

He told Barbados TODAY that the dumping, which was done in stages, is now complete and the plant has done most of what it was required to do.

An inspection by health officers will be done to verify that all the recommended actions were completed.

“There is training, which must have been conducted yesterday. That is essentially it at this point. We would have had meetings with them and it helped to clarify that we were on the same page and we have the same goals,” health official stated.

“We are comfortable that they are improving and that they are on track to be back in business soon. I don’t have a timeframe. Our end goal is to ensure they are operating in a way that is safe to them and to the public and to public health standards. So, we believe that there is not much left to be done, and they are committed to doing all that is required.”

Dr Phillips said there would have to be a final sanitising of the plant, which will be done by Hill Milling staff under the supervision of environmental health officers, “once we have signed off on everything else”.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company Richard Ashby had complained that while waiting for the health authorities to give him the all-clear to reopen, staff had been sent on leave; his local and overseas customers were without products, which include rice, sugar, corn curls, oats, peas, beans and snacks; and the major revenue-earning portion of his business, exports, was in jeopardy.

“I sell to 4 000 shopkeepers…supermarkets, gas stations, minimarts…you know, people out in the country who sell from their windows, their back doors. But that’s not my big stuff, my big stuff is exports. So you are not only affecting small shops in Barbados but you are affecting the big shops in Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Miami, New York and St Kitts,” the business owner had previously told Barbados TODAY, noting that the affected aspects of the plant included milling, packaging and producing.  emmanueljoseph@barbados.bb

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The Hugo Mendoza pediatric hospital beats its own record every day in the number of patients admitted with dengue fever; yesterday, it had 98 minors bedridden with the viral disease that affects children.

Meanwhile, the Roberto Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital registered 72 hospitalized patients.

The data were offered by the director of the National Health Service (SNS) hospital network, Yocasta Lara Hernandez.

Other hospitals maintain many occupied beds, which complicates the dynamics of these centers, which also attend to other children with various pathologies.

The Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud is the third that attends the most patients; its authorities reported 18 admissions, and eight were waiting for beds in the emergency room.

The San Lorenzo de Los Mina hospital had 25 children hospitalized. Admissions are increasing, as this is where the disease outbreak is highest. Marcelino Velez Santana had 19 children in bed, and Jaime Mota de Barahona had 20. The Arturo Grullón in Santiago had 17,6, and the one in Boca Chica had 16.

Lara said that the Jacinto Mañon center has 11 children admitted with dengue, the Almirante,3 nine; Ciudad Juan Bosch, another nine; Felix2 Maria Goico, five and 15 at the Juan Pablo Pina.

Symptoms
Dengue has unique symptoms that can be confused with other diseases. Doctors and citizens should be alert to suspicions.

It produces sudden onset fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, nine, and rash. Doctors ask parents to be vigilant.

Guyana will by next year have its first specialty hospital whose focus will be on eye care with the aim of tapping into the medical tourism market, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Optique Vision Care, Dhani Narine said Friday. He made the announcement at a 10th anniversary observance, and later told Demerara Waves Online ...

A non-profit organisation in Barbados is one of three beneficiaries of a new climate-smart agriculture pilot project to address food insecurity in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) through funding from the Sony Music Global Social Justice Fund and the support of agriculture technology company Fork Farms has granted 12 vertical indoor hydroponics systems to the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education and Design (WIRRED) in St Andrew as well as to the governments of Anguilla and the Cayman Islands.

The CCSA pilot includes five Flex Farms for each of the two governments and two units for WIRRED, a non-profit organisation and charity born out of the regeneration of the 277-acre Walkers Reserve. 

According to Josh Mahlik, partnership development director of Fork Farms, a Flex Farm is a mobile hydroponic farm that can grow lettuce, greens, herbs and a variety of other foods on-site, quickly, efficiently, affordably and all year long.  

One Flex Farm can grow 25 pounds of lettuce every 28 days. The farm requires only nine square feet of space and a standard electrical outlet for operation. Compared to traditional agriculture, the Flex Farm requires zero food miles to be travelled, provides 45 times more food production, and uses 98 per cent less water and land.

Both units for WIRRED will be housed at Walkers Reserve, a former sand quarry that is now the largest regeneration project of its kind in the region and a model for climate adaptation and resilience. Training will be done with members of the Walkers Reserve’s team and community stakeholders, increasing their knowledge of and skills in regenerative agricultural techniques.

WIRRED and the other two beneficiaries of the pilot project will receive support to operate the Flex Farms and will monitor production yields for a one-year period. 

Racquel Moses, chief executive officer of the CCSA noted that The World Food Programme and Caribbean Livelihoods Survey – May 2023 shows that 52 per cent of the population in the English-speaking Caribbean remains food insecure. 

“Everyone should have access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown food, especially in the global South and for vulnerable groups like youth and women. This is a climate and social justice goal we hold in common with Fork Farms and the Sony Music Global Social Justice Fund,” she said.

“We applaud these islands for their leadership and ongoing efforts to bolster food security and are delighted to support them with this initiative.”

The CCSA plans to expand the project to other countries and has called on individuals, organisations, and stakeholders to join them in promoting food security, sustainability, and social inclusion in the Caribbean. (PR/BT)

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Caribbean ministers of health have been urged to utilise collective action to strengthen their healthcare systems, adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment and promote healthy living, as well as prioritise equity in healthcare delivery.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa made this call at the opening of the 45th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (Health). 

He restated PAHO’s commitment to supporting member states in recapturing the immunisation gains of the past, confronting the emigration of health workers out of the Caribbean, reversing the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, and mitigating the health effects of the changing climate.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone.  The pandemic made this glaringly apparent: only through unity and collective action can we overcome the public health trials of our times.  CARICOM was founded with this understanding,” Dr Barbosa noted.

While highlighting that during the pandemic the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States relied solely on imports for these essential health goods, he acknowledged the aspirations of some Caribbean countries to produce their own medicines and medical supplies. 

The PAHO director pledged the organisation’s support to facilitate access to affordable medicines, vaccines, and health technologies, in approaching partners and prioritising technical cooperation on the regulatory aspects and demand planning. He noted that PAHO’s revolving funds could also be used to leverage regional production.

While turning his attention to reversing the rates of NCDs despite the “entrenched commercial and financial interests that hinder progress”, he pledged the organisation’s support for measures like front-of-package warning labels, the banning of trans fats and the creation of a smoke-free Caribbean.

“As we continue to advocate for the implementation of the Octagonal Warning labels, we are joined by the University of the West Indies, CARICOM, CARPHA, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and many others, who believe that Caribbean people deserve to have the facts about what they are eating. We will persist, with our partners, to confront the main drivers of non-communicable diseases – tobacco use, unhealthy diets, alcohol use and lack of physical activity,” Dr Barbosa emphasised.

The Caribbean is poised to advance with the elimination of key communicable diseases and conditions. In 2023, eight Caribbean countries and territories, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis, were revalidated as achieving the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. 

Dr Barbosa shared that Belize had now joined this list of countries certified by the World Health Organisation as having eliminated EMTCT earlier this year.  

“I am pleased to announce that in partnership with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, and through the India-UN Partnership Development Fund, PAHO has secured funds to support CARICOM Countries in their efforts to achieve and sustain the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT Plus) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. In the coming weeks we will be conducting consultations to build the path forward together,” he said.

The PAHO director also used the opportunity to congratulate Belize on being certified by the WHO as having eliminated malaria in June. (PR)

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