Alcohol Can Trigger Headaches and Migraines

First of all, the existing studies present data in a heterogeneous way, which may have led to inaccurate results, and do not provide an exhaustive array of information. Information on the gender of participants was unavailable for analysis. So, the question of who is drinking more with a primary headache is still to be addressed. Additionally, only a few of the studies divided participants into migraine with and without aura. Therefore, there was insufficient data to analyze the relationship between alcohol and aura, and the data that does exist is inconsistent [65, 86].

Foods That’ll Cure Your Hangover

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that highly affects the germ-fighting immune system. Signs include swollen lymph nodes that develop in the body due to the uncontrollable growth of lymphocytes or white blood cells. Common triggers for these headaches include stress, a lack of sleep, depression, anxiety, and sometimes, drinking too much caffeine. While tension headaches aren’t usually severe, symptoms can be frustrating and painful. Headaches are a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives.

alcohol and headaches

Migraine without aura

  • Then, the results were compared by researchers and duplicates were removed.
  • A sports drink with electrolytes is also helpful for this purpose.
  • If you start feeling unwell after drinking just a small amount of booze, you might want to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
  • Never take acetaminophen (Tylenol) when you drink or when you’re hungover.
  • Even bad headache pain isn’t usually the result of another disease.
  • There are some health benefits to moderate alcohol consumption, but the key is knowing what types of alcohol cause your headaches, in what amounts, and what other factors might be involved.

The kidneys increase urination substantially, leading to dehydration. Blood vessels in the skin dilate, causing flushing and increased cardiac output. The liver starts working overtime to detoxify the blood of ethanol and acetaldehyde, and cannot keep blood sugar adequately regulated. Just like food triggers, alcohol headache triggers are individual, varying from person to person.

Here is the advice of one wine expert

alcohol and headaches

Estimates of lost revenues due to reduced job productivity and absenteeism from alcohol run as high as $148 billion a year in the U.S. alone. Much of this expense is related to hangovers in light to moderate drinkers. No one is exactly sure how ethanol causes its various effects, but once absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream it can freely cross out of the blood and into nerve cells of the brain. Once in the brain it causes a chemical release that leads to pleasurable feelings, and it lessens inhibitions by depressing certain frontal lobe functions. Motor pathways become overactive, and blood sugar is processed less efficiently in the brain.

Whenever she indulged in wine, agonizing headaches and chest pain would occur. I started drinking it and had what started as a really splitting headache. There’s no treatment for alcohol allergy or intolerance, so Factor’s best advice is to avoid drinking it if you react to it. You can adopt a dry lifestyle or just avoid certain drinks that cause your symptoms. There’s also new research suggesting such changes could be COVID-related. It’s common for patients to come in describing symptoms or reactions to drinking alcohol that they only just developed, Factor said.

alcohol and headaches

Avoid foods high in histamine

However, some people with chronic tension headache episodes can occasionally have mild nausea during some or all of their episodes. The information you give your healthcare provider about your headaches is the most important part of the diagnosis process. By giving your provider as much information as possible about your headaches, you’re more likely to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that will help you feel better.

A huge risk factor for people who develop alcohol use disorder is early-onset drinking. So, if you drink before the age of 14, there’s about a 50% chance you’re going to develop an alcohol and headaches alcohol use disorder in your adulthood,” explains Dr. Anand. 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).
  • Also, if you have a history of headaches, see your health care provider if there’s a change in how they feel or how often they occur.
  • However, if the role of ADs in triggering MA and TH will be confirmed, a common trigger site should be considered.
  • Therefore, there was insufficient data to analyze the relationship between alcohol and aura, and the data that does exist is inconsistent [65, 86].
  • There’s no treatment for alcohol allergy or intolerance, so Factor’s best advice is to avoid drinking it if you react to it.
  • People who consume greater quantities of alcohol report more alcohol-related headaches, according to several studies.
Scroll to Top
Skip to content