Press ESC to close

Can Alcohol Trigger Migraine Attacks?

Pregnancy can add another complicated layer to your migraine journey, but having a strong support system will make it easier to navigate the ups and downs. You can find additional support from people in your position and those who have already experienced pregnancy with migraine in our Move Against Migraine Facebook group. Finding people whom you can lean on for support can help lift some of the burden of managing migraine before, during and after pregnancy. Our Move Against Migraine Facebook group is full of mothers with migraine who can offer encouragement and support throughout your journey. The content on this website is provided for educational purposes only. While it is doctor-verified, it is not intended to serve as medical advice, and users are advised to seek the advice of their doctors before making any decisions based on the information in this article.

alcohol causing headaches

Statistical analysis

And in cases of prolonged alcohol withdrawal, it is imperative to stay under medical detox care. If you find yourself struggling to stop drinking or recognize that you have symptoms of alcohol use disorder, it’s important to reach out for help. “Hydration is probably the biggest protective factor against headache. A well-hydrated person is the least likely to experience headaches or to have the least intensity of headache,” Moore says. You can also consider drinking a hydration supplement like Cove’s Oasis to boost that effect. According to Dr. Kevin Moore, PsyD, an addiction specialist, alcohol fools your body into thinking that you’re drinking water, but in reality, alcohol actually poisons the brain cells.

What is the Role of Neuromodulation?

Some of them assessed the drinking by daily alcohol intake 44, 45, 47, 48, 55, 58, 59, 62, part of them measured drinking within one week 44, 47, 51, 53, 60, 61 or month 36, 44, 47, 49, 51. Additionally, there were cases 56, 57 where division was based on never, current or past drinking. More accurate calculation with amount and various types of alcohol was also conducted in studies 26, 27, 45, 54.

However, the study author also cautions that no single factor causes all hangover headaches. A tendency toward migraine may also play a role in hangovers, especially hangovers that cause migraine-like headaches. A 2014 survey of 692 students, 95 of whom had migraine, found that those with migraine were more likely to experience migraine-like symptoms during a hangover. Sharp headaches are one short-term effect of heavy drinking, but when alcohol addiction takes hold, you will start to suffer with increasingly dangerous symptoms. If you or a loved one needs support with problematic drinking, we are here for you. When drinking among your friends, you may notice the next morning that they may be struggling more or less than you with their hangover symptoms.

Here is the advice of one wine expert

Both headache types can include severe headache pain and sensitivity to light. Alcohol may trigger migraine attacks, and migraines and alcohol it’s very unlikely to ease them. Alcohol-induced migraine is different than a hangover, which is caused by overconsuming alcohol.

Start your search with these complementary and integrative therapies. Then, consider exploring more treatment options with our other free resources. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

  • Tannins can be found in other drinks including, tea, coffee and chocolate.
  • Alcohol can cause many health problems, but one of the most common and less severe is the alcohol-induced headache.
  • Information on the gender of participants was unavailable for analysis.
  • Tyramine prompts the release of norepinephrine, which results in vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain.

What’s the best way to treat a migraine headache from alcohol?

This change in balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters triggers headaches. Neurologist and headache expert Dr. Belinda Savage-Edwards explains that migraine attacks can occur with little alcohol. “The most common alcohol that triggers a migraine attack is red wine, followed by white wine, champagne and beer,” she says. These headaches strike quickly, often within hours of drinking alcohol. The pain can feel sharp and is usually a result of blood vessels in the brain expanding. Alcohol’s ability to affect neurotransmitter activity also plays a role, causing your head to throb painfully.

alcohol causing headaches

“We believe that about 40% of people with Eastern Asian heritage have this variant,” says Dr. Mays. Individuals with lower body weights cannot process as much alcohol as individuals with higher body weights. Individuals from different ethnic backgrounds may have variable sensitivity to alcohol.

A person should try keeping a migraine diary for a few weeks or months to observe trends in their headache patterns. One hypothesis is that red wine causes migraine due to high levels of certain compounds called flavonols, particularly quercetin. This compound might https://toshtoys.com/dbt-dialectical-behavioral-therapy-skills/ inhibit the body’s ability to break down alcohol, leading to the buildup of a substance called acetaldehyde, which could result in headaches.

  • Are you tired of waking up with a throbbing headache or a migraine attack after a night of drinking?
  • However, if you already have a headache, it is a good idea to stop drinking.
  • For individuals who consume alcohol regularly and then suddenly stop, withdrawal symptoms can include headaches as a prominent feature.

Unfortunately, this may lead to inflammation throughout the body, which can trigger migraines in some people. Over the years, research has shown that moderate alcohol consumption may provide health benefits over total abstinence. In spite of this, there are some people for whom combining alcohol with a tendency toward migraines. Patients often make this decision after experiencing a strong connection between alcohol and migraines firsthand. If you want to test to see if alcohol is a trigger, test one of these best alcohols for migraine and headaches on a day when you feel Halfway house good and other triggers are low.

  • Vodka and gin are both clear liquors that are made through the distilling process discussed above.
  • Because alcohol can dilate blood vessels, it can prompt a cluster headache episode.
  • Whether alcohol acts as a trigger is really a case-by-case basis for people with migraine.
  • Having a strong network of people who validate your experience and support you on the good days and bad is so valuable when you live with an invisible illness like migraine.
  • MWP and BB was involved in the conception and visualization of the study.

Because every person is different, it helps to hear what tactics (not necessarily evidence based) help others. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol-related issues, contact our specialised treatment advisors to get the help you need. Headaches, including migraine, are treatable with the right combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments.

alcohol causing headaches

All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.. We recommend taking a look at our patient guides, which include useful information like how to talk to your doctor about migraine. We recommend exploring complementary treatments such as biofeedback, green light therapy and aerobic exercise. Whether you have lived with migraine for a few months or a few decades, you know migraine can be a challenging experience.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *