Can Alcohol Trigger Migraines and Other Headaches?

Also, the majority of the studies had high or moderate risk of bias. Alcoholic drinks (ADs) have been reported as a migraine trigger in about one-third of the migraine patients in retrospective studies. Many studies show that ADs are a trigger of migraine without aura (MO), migraine with aura (MA), cluster headache (CH), and tension-type headache (TH). While data on MO and CH are well delineated, those in MA and TH are discordant.

• Even people who are not prone to headaches will get a headache after a night of heavy alcohol consumption.
• Therefore, it was not possible for our meta-analysis to contain all those studies where drinking was described with primary headache.
• If you experience migraine headaches after drinking alcohol, it may be best to avoid alcohol.
• It can’t prevent a migraine, but it can help stop one after it starts.
• Another thing that remains unclear is whether the type of alcohol you drink determines whether or not you will get a migraine headache.
• Many different factors can contribute to a hangover as a result of drinking.

What effects can alcohol have on attacks?

Even people who are not prone to headaches will get a headache after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. One or two drinks with food and water over time might be safe for you, but three or more will produce a hangover headache for many people. This dilutes the effect of alcohol in your system and reduces the chance of an alcohol-induced headache or triggering a migraine attack. 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.

Migraine

Research shows that when consumed regularly, omega-3 fatty acids may help shorten the duration of migraines. If you develop a cocktail headache, stop drinking alcohol and go someplace where you can rest comfortably. Drink lots of water to rehydrate your body and help flush the alcohol from your system.

When to avoid Praluent

• It has been noted in some studies that in less than 30 percent of people, red wine triggers headache no matter the number of drinks consumed.
• A 2016 study showed that alcohol consistently induced migraine in 10% of people.
• People can talk with their doctors about possible methods to prevent or ease alcohol-induced headaches.
• They involve throbbing pain that generally occurs on one side of the head.

Nineteen studies used questionnaire methods to assess drinking 36, 44–59, 61, 62. The type of alcohol does not seem to affect whether a person gets a headache. While red wine has been described as a dominant trigger of migraines and cluster headaches, white wine, champagne, sparkling wines, and beer have also been linked to headaches. Migraine attacks can be debilitating, and most people who experience them will do anything to find relief. Avoiding personally known triggers can be a useful way to reduce the number of potential attacks. Alcohol is a common trigger for migraine attacks, but some types may be less likely to cause problems than others.

If you want to avoid a hangover headache, the best thing you can do is think before you drink. It may be that avoiding or moderating alcohol intake is the best decision for you.Talk to your healthcare provider about alcohol use, which can have serious health and social consequences. For healthy adults, moderate drinking means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and two drinks a day for men. A “drink” in this case is considered a 5-ounce glass of wine or 12 ounces of bee (5% alcohol, less for stronger beers, so be sure to read the label). We also examine the types of headache alcohol can trigger and the types of alcohol likely to cause more headaches.

The Headache Doctor’s Tips for Drinking Alcohol Without Pain

A 2019 study recognized alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger factor for people with migraine. However, the type of alcoholic beverage that triggers these headaches is not clear. For instance, alcohol byproducts called congeners have been linked to headaches. Dark-colored alcohols like red wine, brandy, and whiskey may contain more of them.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. At least one small study has shown some hangover treatment benefits from an over-the-counter remedy that contains milk thistle, thiamine, and antioxidants, but more research is needed. Certain supplements and herbal remedies have been touted as hangover remedies, but there is no solid evidence backing up this claim.

• Another type of attack is called the delayed alcohol induced headache and will usually appear the next day.
• Most studies point to red wine as a common headache culprit, particularly in people with migraine.
• Hangovers vary in severity and symptoms from person to person and episode to episode.
• We also examine the types of headache alcohol can trigger and the types of alcohol likely to cause more headaches.
• Additionally, only a few of the studies divided participants into migraine with and without aura.

Cluster headache

If you do notice a pattern, especially with particular types of alcohol over others, you may choose to avoid the offending drinks. However, a 2019 study found higher rates of vodka consumption among drinkers with frequent migraine attacks. The response to alcohol varies from person to person, and there is no alcohol that absolutely will not cause a migraine or other headache. Most studies point to red wine as a common headache culprit, particularly in people with migraine.

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Meanwhile, 2020 research showed that 95% of participants experienced alcohol-induced headaches. A 2016 study showed that alcohol consistently induced migraine in 10% of people. See a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing frequent or severe headaches that don’t get better with at-home or OTC treatment options.

These individuals commonly cite wine, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger. A 2016 review notes that alcohol may trigger a tension headache, especially if a person also has migraine. The research found that 21% of people with migraine say that alcohol is a tension headache can alcohol help headaches trigger, compared with just 2% of people without migraine. Migraine causes a specific type of headache that involves neurological symptoms such as light sensitivity and aura. Other types of headaches, including severe headaches, can occur as a result of alcohol consumption.

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