These individuals commonly cite wine, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger. Most studies point to red wine as a common headache culprit, particularly in people with migraine. More than half of those who experience cluster headaches say that alcohol is a trigger. The research found that 21% of people with migraine say that alcohol is a tension headache trigger, compared with just 2% of people without migraine. A 2016 review notes that alcohol may trigger a tension headache, especially if a person also has migraine.
Mixing different types of alcohol can also increase the likelihood of experiencing a headache. Similarly, dark liquors such as bourbon and whiskey have higher congeners content, which can contribute to headaches. Set a reasonable drinking limit for yourself and stick to it. Aim to have a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages to maintain your body’s hydration levels.
Alcohol as a Migraine Trigger
- You might have heard that red wine is most likely to cause problems.
- Alcohol-induced headaches can be particularly troublesome for individuals who have pre-existing conditions.
- Factors such as genetics, prior drinking habits, and even overall health can dictate how your body reacts to alcohol.
- Alcohol can also affect your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
- High alcohol and congener content of alcoholic drinks can increase the chance of developing a headache after drinking.
Headaches, including migraine, are treatable with the right combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments. The most severe migraine attacks may last up to 3 days or longer and make it impossible to do anything. If they find this too challenging, they may have alcohol use disorder, which warrants treatment. Relaxation techniques may help ease stress-related migraine episodes, and they may make migraine episodes feel less severe when they do happen. Some research suggests that congeners play a role in hangovers, although factors such as inflammation also contribute. These are substances that the alcohol manufacturing process produces.
In this exploration, we’ll delve into the myriad of reasons that may be causing those dark clouds to loom over your head after just one drink. It works by targeting the vagus nerve, which regulates pain, through the skin on the side of your neck. Rehydrating is the first step to feeling better because this will help restore the fluids your body lost. This can reduce the chances of getting a headache. This is more likely to happen if you drink on an empty stomach.
Whether Alcohol Is a Migraine Trigger
This can help you make informed decisions about whether or not to consume alcohol and how much is tolerable for you. They can help determine the best course of action, which may involve avoiding alcohol altogether or finding alternative beverages that are better tolerated. If you suspect that you have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance. Alcohol intolerance, on the other hand, is the inability to properly digest alcohol due to the lack of specific enzymes needed to break it down. This allergic reaction occurs because their immune system mistakenly identifies alcohol as a threat and releases chemicals to combat it. On the other hand, alcohol intolerance is more common and typically leads to less severe reactions.
To combat this, be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after consuming alcohol. By following these tips, you can enjoy your drinks without the unwelcome side effects. One possibility is that alcohol disrupts the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to the onset of a migraine.
Alcohol and congener content
But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, drinking even a small amount of alcohol can bring on an attack. If alcohol triggers headaches for you, think before you drink. Unlike hangover headaches, which develop the following morning, these can happen even with a small amount of alcohol and are a particular nuisance for those prone to migraines.
Alternate Alcohol With Food and Water
It’s essential to note that alcohol disrupts your sleep cycles, which can culminate in headaches. If you’re someone who doesn’t drink often, your body might not be accustomed to even a small amount of alcohol. Those who may have deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals could be more susceptible to alcohol-induced headaches. This is an instance where drinking clear spirits like vodka or gin might lessen the likelihood of experiencing a headache. When your body loses fluids, the blood vessels in your brain can shrink, resulting in a headache.
People with alcohol allergy may experience symptoms such as headaches, facial flushing, hives, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases. Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches that can be triggered by various factors, one of which is alcohol consumption. Being aware of these triggers and making informed choices can help in preventing or managing alcohol-induced headaches effectively.
When different types of alcohol are combined, it can be more challenging for the body to metabolize and eliminate these substances efficiently. Mixing different types of alcohol, also known as “cocktail concoctions,” can increase the likelihood of experiencing a headache. Additionally, red wine contains sulfites, which are preservatives used to prevent spoilage.
Symptoms
In a 2017 study, researchers found that people of East Asian ancestry drink less alcohol than members of other groups. Another compound known as histamine is common in alcohol, particularly red wine. While there is some research on the reasons alcohol causes headaches, study authors have not definitively proven the link between the two. If you or a loved one needs support with problematic drinking, we are here for you. You may find that electrolyte drinks, rehydration sachets, or coconut water help restore your energy levels.
What to know about alcohol and migraine
Cocktail headaches sneak up quickly, striking within hours of drinking alcohol and causing throbbing pain on both sides of your head. People who experience severe headaches after drinking alcohol may also avoid alcohol altogether. Some people may experience an alcohol-related migraine between 30 minutes and 3 hours after drinking. Some individuals experience headaches or migraine what is a contingency plan and how do you create one after consuming alcohol. While a hangover headache for some people stays mild, others can experience a more serious, almost debilitating migraine.
Choosing lighter-coloured drinks, taking things slowly and feeling the changes in your body as you drink can reduce the risk of severe hangover headaches. The reasons behind headaches are complex, as many processes in the body respond to alcohol in ways that trigger pain and discomfort. We’re looking at the ways alcohol acts as a trigger for varying degrees of headache, giving tips on how you can reduce and mitigate distressing headaches after drinking. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor about migraine symptoms or chronic headaches, with or without drinking.
Tension headache
Preventing migraine begins with identifying and reducing or eliminating common migraine triggers such as alcohol, dehydration, and certain foods. The response to alcohol varies from person to person, and there is no alcohol that absolutely will not cause a migraine or other headache. People who get hangovers that trigger a migraine may also wish to avoid alcohol with high levels of congeners. This compound might inhibit the body’s ability to break down alcohol, leading to the buildup of a substance called acetaldehyde, which could result in headaches. It may also trigger headaches related to headache disorders, such as migraine. However, more recent research indicates no relationship between tension type headaches and alcohol consumption.
- The quality of the alcohol consumed may be a factor in whether it triggers a headache.
- Individuals from different ethnic backgrounds may have variable sensitivity to alcohol.
- Aim to drink plenty of water before, after, and during alcohol consumption.
- Other criteria for a person to have a migraine diagnosis include nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or noise.
- Drink water with your alcohol to help prevent dehydration, one of the main causes of alcohol migraine triggers.
This type of headache can happen to anyone, but people with migraines are more likely to get one. If you get a cocktail headache, stop drinking alcohol and rest in a comfortable place. The way alcohol triggers different headache disorders isn’t well understood. According to the International Headache Society, a cocktail headache begins within three hours after drinking alcohol and resolves within 72 hours.
In this journey to understanding your reactions, you’ll be empowered to make choices that cater best to your body’s needs. Whether it’s sensitive to specific ingredients, the type of drink, nutritional status, or even lifestyle habits, self-awareness is paramount. Sleep plays a critical role in overall well-being, and when alcohol steps in and interferes, the consequences can echo through your day. Even the company you keep or the ambiance of a bar could create an atmosphere that heightens your sensitivity to alcohol. Another facet to consider is the impact of nutritional status on how alcohol affects you.
Certain drinks like red wine, beer, and even certain liquors contain these compounds that can trigger headaches in sensitive individuals. While each person reacts to alcohol in different ways, some drinks are more likely to trigger headaches because of what’s in them, alongside the ethanol itself. People who experience a headache after drinking should not assume that it is a migraine attack, especially if they have symptoms consistent with other types of headaches. Although any type of alcohol can trigger a migraine, people who experience regular migraine attacks cite red wine as the most frequent culprit.