The summer months and sunshine mean that we all get out more and can enjoy 'a big night out' with friends or family where the food is a-plenty and the wine or beer are flowing. This brings with it a whole host of minor ailments that people suffer from, from the classic hangover with headache and shakiness to indigestion and the occasional trip over the kerb which can bring with it a few cuts & bruises. So what can the pharmacy offer to come to the rescue?

• Hangover Headaches:
  Hangover headaches are largely caused by dehydration due to alcohol and people not ensuring they get sufficient fluid intake while dancing the night away in hot clubs or generally being more physically active. The most effective cure is prevention, by drinking plenty of fluids such as water and by ensuring we get plenty of fluids the next day. Nonetheless, we all overdo it sometimes and if people are suffering there are a wide range of products available that can give effective pain relief.
  The most popular relief for the 'classic hangover is paracetamol. There are also paracetamol products specifically designed for hangovers, which also include electrolytes in an effervescent granule formulation which are dissolved in water and provide headache relief, rehydration and replacement of electrolytes.
• Cuts & Bruises:
  When our attention is elsewhere, and we are under the influence of alcohol, the occasional trip can lead to us tending to our minor cuts and bruises the next day. For minor cuts, in addition to ensuring the area is clean and using plasters, there are a number of antiseptic creams, liquids or powders available to keep infections at bay. Common antiseptic active ingredients include chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone iodine which are often combined with cleansing agents such as cetrimide or benzalkonium chloride. There are also a range of topical pain relief products for those aches and pains we suffer when our attention isn't fully on where our feet are going. These are available as creams, rubs, ointments, gels, liniments, mousses or sprays. Common active ingredients include the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, ibuprofen and aromatic oils such as camphor, menthol and methyl salicylate. One of the recent additions to this category of local pain relief and inflammation, switching from prescription only to pharmacy status, is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, diclofenac diethylammonium.
• Indigestion:
  Those late night kebabs and curries after a big night out can wreak havoc on the stomach. When we eat the stomach produces acid juices to break down and digest food. However these juices are usually kept inside the stomach by a muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus which tightens and closes. Occasionally the acid juices can be squeezed up the oesophagus, causing a 'burning sensation' in the chest known as 'heartburn'. Also, although our stomachs need acid to digest food, some people over-produce acid and this can cause stomach ache and pains. Other indigestion problems include feeling full, heavy or bloated that can happen simply due to the normal action of the stomach slowing down and causing the food to stay in the stomach too long. Finally, trapped gas, due to tiny bubbles of gas collecting in the stomach, although common, can be painful and uncomfortable and cause people distress.There are a wide range of OTC remedies available for indigestion:
  - If suffering from heartburn or excess acid: antacids will neutralise any excess acid in the stomach giving fast relief, alginates lie on top of the contents of the stomach, stopping acid from rising up into the oesophagus and acid reducers actually stop the stomach from producing too much acid. Furthermore, if people know they are going to eat or drink something that usually gives them heartburn (e.g. fatty barbecue food, alcohol) they can take certain types of acid reducers (H2-antagonists) in advance to prevent expected symptoms. These medicines are long-acting (up to 12 hours) so a dose can protect throughout a whole evening or party.
  - The bloated, full feeling can be combated with motility restorers, that help the stomach to start moving normally again, allowing food to pass out of the stomach and into the intestine at the right speed.
  - The best approach for trapped wind is the use of antiflatulents which release trapped wind in the stomach by combining small air bubbles to make larger ones that the body can get rid of more easily.
• Tired Eyes:
  Smokey pubs, straining eyes in badly lit rooms and hangovers can all put stress on our eyes. Relief from tired, stressed red eyes comes in eye drops that primarily aim to lubricate and some reduce the inflammation in the blood vessels on the surface of the eyes that cause redness and soreness. Witch hazel is commonly incorporated in many formulations to ease and soothe minor irritation.
• Lethargy:
  Finally, we all know the next day after a 'big night out' you can just feel tired, worn out and generally exhausted. General advice to combat the lethargy is drink plenty of fluids to ensure rehydration and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to ensure a good balance of vitamins in the system. To give an extra boost a number of multivitamin or herbal tonics are on hand to help. Some popular herbal ingredients to give an extra boost include ginseng or kola nut.

Alan Nathan, pharmacist, lecturer and CHIC spokesperson comments:

'We all enjoy a good night out with friends or family. However, we need to remind people the best cure is prevention and that alcohol can dehydrate and rich foods can aggravate indigestion. Dehydration is heightened even more in the summer months. Much of this can be avoided by ensuring that we drink plenty of water and not going overboard on the fast food or alcohol on an already sensitive stomach. Nonetheless, if people are suffering the consequences of a big night out there are a range of effective remedies out there that can help get them through the next day, including remedies which give indigestion relief, combat headaches or soothe tired eyes. The pharmacist is the first port of call for advice.'

Notes for editors
The Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) provides a wealth of un-branded and un-biased patient information on everyday healthcare problems and how to treat them. Topics covered to date include pain, colds and flu, hayfever, stress, indigestion and men's health. Well over two million leaflets have been distributed so far.
For product specific information on remedies visit MedicineChestOnline the online version of the OTC directory provided by The Proprietary Association of Great Britain
For further information or an interview with Alan Nathan, contact Diane MacArthur.

For further information please contact:

Diane MacArthur
Tel: 0207 421 9314
Email: diane.macarthur@pagb.co.uk