Alcohol can trigger migraine attacks in some people, and those with migraines are more likely to get alcohol-induced headaches. Research from 2020 showed that 95% of participants heroin addiction experienced alcohol-induced headaches, and according to the Migraine Trust, alcohol regularly triggers migraines in around 10% of people. While there is some research on why alcohol causes headaches, the link between the two has not been definitively proven. One of the key culprits behind alcohol-induced headaches is the way alcohol affects blood vessels in the brain. When you consume alcohol, it causes blood vessels to expand or dilate, leading to increased blood flow.
Which Drinks Are Safest for People With Migraine?
The most severe migraine attacks may last up to 3 days or longer and make it impossible to do anything. One hypothesis is that red wine causes migraine due to high levels of certain compounds called flavonols, particularly quercetin. 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. If you aren’t sure that alcohol is to blame for your headaches, try keeping a diary.
- However, findings on the association between alcohol intake and migraine are inconclusive for a number of reasons, including cultural, regional, and individual differences in the consumption of alcohol.
- It can happen even if you drink less than people who don’t get migraine headaches.
- Alcohol contains a chemical called ethanol, which is a vasodilator, causing the blood vessels in the body to widen.
- This is the hangover effect that appears in the morning following alcohol consumption when the alcohol in the blood has reached zero.
- People who find that alcohol (often in any amount) triggers their migraines might limit their alcohol consumption or take note of when their alcohol intake prompts a headache.
Gender and body weight
The study also found that it was the ethanol consumption that was responsible for a majority of the hangover symptoms. There are many possible triggers for migraine attacks, including stress, bright lights, loud noises, weather changes, certain foods and drinks, https://ibschool.eastwoodis.com/the-hidden-craving-among-recovering-alcoholics/ and changes in sleep or hormone patterns to name a few. The migraines tend to start within three hours of consuming alcohol. Sometimes, migraines don’t plague patients until the next morning, just as their blood-alcohol content level is back to normal.
Types of Alcoholic Triggers
In an open-bar situation, choose beer, wine, or a mixed drink made with a high-quality brand. Sulphites have not been shown convincingly why does alcohol give me a migraine to lead to headache in individuals with sulphite sensitivity. Sulphites are considered to be the cause of red wine intolerance, particularly asthma 51. No differences exist between migraine and tension headache in the frequency of alcohol as a trigger 17, 18, 20, 24–26, 29 (Table 1).
- Also record your health status in the 48 hours prior to drinking as well as any stress or anxiety factors at the time.
- However, the best way to prevent alcohol-related migraines is to avoid drinking altogether.
- A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within as little as three hours after drinking alcohol.
- Ethanol, a natural diuretic present in alcohol, causes the kidneys to excrete more fluid, leading to excessive urination and dehydration, which are common triggers for migraine headaches.
- Drinking too much can trigger migraines, and possibly other types of headaches—such as cluster headaches and tension headaches—in people who are already susceptible to these issues.