There are a variety of reasons why this potent chemical can cause a headache such as its ability to dilate the blood vessels. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing the body to lose vital salts and minerals which help it to function. One of the main problems facing those who struggle with alcohol is the alcohol-induced headache. This common problem may affect one of the 10.8 million adults in the UK who are drinking at a worrying level. Generally, the more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to have a hangover the next day.
What Alcohol Causes the Most Headaches and/or Migraine Attacks?
More plausible is an action at subcortical pain modulatory circuits, which in some way stimulate the neural generator of CH (hypothalamus?) and of migraine aura (cortex?, thalamus?). Many people with migraine find that certain factors trigger their symptoms. Although any type of alcohol can trigger a migraine, people who experience regular migraine attacks cite red wine as the most frequent culprit. If you experience migraine headaches after drinking alcohol, it may be best to avoid alcohol. Talk with a doctor about ways to identify your migraine triggers and what to do if you develop these headaches. As we discussed earlier, not everyone is prone to alcohol-related headaches.
When to contact a doctor
However, the type of alcoholic beverage that triggers these headaches is not clear. Alcohol-related headaches can be a frustrating experience, especially for those who live with migraine. While the exact reasons why alcohol triggers headaches are still not fully understood, there are some steps you can take to alcohol causes migraines reduce your risk and enjoy a drink without pain. The quality of the alcohol consumed may be a factor in whether it triggers a headache. Lower-quality wines contain molecules known as phenolic flavonoid radicals, which may interfere with serotonin, a signaling molecule in the brain involved in migraine attacks.
Alcohol and headaches
Meanwhile, 2020 research showed that 95% of participants experienced alcohol-induced headaches. However, if you experience serious reactions or severe pains, it’s crucial that you see a doctor. Also, if you on medications, it’s essential to consult the doctor because the condition may be related to an allergy with the medication. If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time, good nutrition is even more important. To that end, there are a couple of steps you’ll want to take immediately if you’ve got a pounding headache after drinking.
What to know about alcohol and migraine
The single main reason that alcohol is the cause of a headache is that it is what is known as a diuretic. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If you’re feeling queasy, avoid rich, greasy foods and stick to dry, bland foods like toast and crackers. According to the National Headache Foundation, a person can also consume oral rehydration solutions to help manage dehydration.
- The ingestion of too much ethanol can cause an unhealthy imbalance of chemicals within the body, which over time may lead to more serious conditions than just a headache.
- A hangover is a group of unpleasant symptoms that can happen after drinking too much alcohol.
- At best, you can drink a lot of water in between drinks and make sure to eat while consuming alcohol to diminish its effects.
- Wine is often acknowledged as the most common drink to provoke a headache, but any type of alcohol can do it.
- Gaining a greater understanding of these headaches can be key in battling them.
- Hangovers after a single night’s drinking go away on their own.
- Migraine causes a specific type of headache that involves neurological symptoms such as light sensitivity and aura.
- Women suffer from migraines at higher rates than men and experience the effects of alcohol more severely than men, so the combination is especially tenuous for women migraine sufferers.
- This information is helpful to know if you have chronic headaches.
- Some people may experience an alcohol-related migraine between 30 minutes and 3 hours after drinking.
- If you develop a cocktail headache, take care to rest and nourish your body with water, electrolytes, and a healthy fruit or vegetable snack if possible.
- Whilst many people do not suffer any side effects from ingesting tannins, there are some who find them to be a source of their headaches.