Alcohol Can Trigger Headaches and Migraines

Many things can trigger a migraine, from stress at work to changes in the weather to foods like aged cheese. And for about one-third of people who have migraines, alcohol is also a trigger. But ask your healthcare professional if https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alternatives-to-alcohol/ this is safe for you and how much medicine is best for you. These medicines may not work well together with other medicines you take. Generally, the more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to have a hangover the next day.

• The mechanism through which alcohol can trigger these distinct headache disorders is not well understood.
• These types of headaches can strike anyone, of any age and background.
• These may include experiencing an ‘aura’ as a warning symptom that a migraine is coming on – this might mean experiencing disturbed vision – such as seeing spots or zig-zag lines.
• Alcohol itself (and not just in red wine) hastens dehydration and creates damage throughout the digestive, cardiovascular, immune, and central nervous systems — and is a known carcinogen, she says.
• These chemicals include tryptamines, flavonoids, acetaldehydes, and congeners among others.

Expert Advice on Avoiding Red Wine Headaches

Find out why, and what you can do to avoid alcohol-related migraines. There is only one sure way if treating an alcohol-related headache. However, in case this is not an option, there are a few treatments available for treating this condition. If you get bad headaches regardless of what type of wine you drink or how much, you may want to consider a different type of beverage.

Tired of the headaches?

The risk of developing an alcohol-induced headache is particularly high with mixed drinks that are composed of multiple types of liquor. In an open-bar situation, choose beer, wine, or a mixed drink made with a high-quality brand. While there is no magical alcohol that doesn’t cause headaches when consumed in excess, alcohol does vary tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer. Top-shelf brands not only taste better but may also be less likely to prove a migraine trigger.

American Headache Society Issues New Migraine Prevention Guidance Related to CGRP-Targeting Therapies

Several studies suggest that alcohol, especially red wine, may trigger migraine attacks. If you’ve identified alcohol as a trigger for your migraine headaches, avoiding it altogether is probably best. The same is true if you find that some types of alcohol trigger your migraine headaches more than others. Avoiding migraine triggers is one of the only sure-fire ways to avoid migraine symptoms. Many people have experienced a headache after drinking alcohol — especially after drinking too much.

• Top-shelf brands not only taste better but may also be less likely to prove a migraine trigger.
• Stress can cause a spike in headaches even when alcohol or alcohol withdrawal isn’t factoring into the equation.
• An anti-inflammatory drug called tolfenamic acid has been shown to be somewhat helpful when taken during alcohol consumption.
• “The general problem with that [theory] is that white wine usually has more sulfites than red,” Waterhouse said.
• In some studies, about one-third of people living with migraine reported alcohol as a migraine trigger (at least occasionally).

Severe cases of dehydration affect the fluids around the brain and decrease the blood pressure as well as the flow of blood to the brain. Reduced blood pressure in the brain can cause pain and sensitivity due to widening arteries to blood flow which in most cases results to headaches. Studies show that many people with migraine choose not to drink alcohol for fear that it may trigger a migraine attack. However, researchers aren’t clear on exactly how or why alcohol can impact migraine.

Living with Migraine

Understanding these interconnected physiological and neurological mechanisms provides insights into why headaches are a prevalent symptom during alcohol withdrawal. While there are a variety of different symptoms that occur during the detox process, a common symptom that many people have to cope with is chronic, severe headaches. Alcohol withdrawal is challenging to get through due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors. The severity why does alcohol give me a migraine and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the level of alcohol consumption, individual health, and any underlying medical conditions. While numerous chemicals-related factors can trigger a headache after drinking alcohol, stress can also be a possible cause. For instance, a negative mood after drinking alcohol can contribute to some people having migraine headaches regardless of what they have drunk.

Rather than using medications, there are a series of other tried-and-true headache remedies that you can access in the medical cabinet at home. For instance, applying a cold compress to the forehead or taking a warm shower may provide some level of temporary relief by soothing tense muscles and promoting relaxation. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. If so, we want to hear from you to help us start more conversations about alcohol. Catherine is a dedicated freelance health and science writer committed to excellence and professionalism. She specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition, immune-related diseases, surgery, and cancer.

• We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
• Many people have experienced a headache after drinking alcohol — especially after drinking too much.
• Avoiding drinking is the best way to prevent an alcohol-related headache.
• Some people only sip a glass or two of wine before their head starts to throb.

With 30 years of paying close attention to consumption and the boundaries, I have evolved to limiting high alcohol, highly tannic, and heavily processed wines. With the huge focus on organic foods and what we all eat, there should be as much attention put on what we drink. Alcohol is embedded in our society, and it is difficult to be in a public space without seeing a reference to alcohol or being offered a drink. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. People with a variant in this enzyme have issues with metabolizing alcohol and can develop total body flushing or reddening of the skin. Avoiding drinking is the best way to prevent an alcohol-related headache.

Medical Professionals