The manifestations, aetiology and assessment of ethanol-induced hangover.

The well-known phenomenon of hangover after ingestion of alcoholic beverages is reviewed; it appears to be due to both ethanol and congeners. Detailed studies must be preceded by the development of a system for measurement of hangover symptoms. Hangover scales are described for measurement of intensity in studies of its drug treatment. Attention is drawn to the changes in hormone levels, notably of aldosterone, renin, cortisol and testosterone in males during hangover.