Nausea and/or vomiting is just one of many symptoms a person living with migraine might experience. This includes being careful about the amount of alcohol you consume and paying attention to how and when your migraine symptoms flare up in relation to drinking. The short answer is that while it’s possible for alcohol to cause a migraine attack, it’s often a bit more complicated. In some studies, about one-third of people living with migraine reported alcohol as a migraine trigger (at least occasionally). In these retrospective studies, only 10% reported a frequent link.
Immediate vs. Delayed Alcohol-Induced Headaches
If a headache persists or worsens, visit a doctor for an examination and treatment recommendations. Other criteria for a person to have a migraine diagnosis include nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or noise. This leads to excessive urination and dehydration, which may cause a headache after a small amount of alcohol. In a 2017 study, researchers found that people of East Asian ancestry drink less alcohol than members of other groups.
Hangover Headache and Tylenol
You could also search our Resources Library to learn more about symptoms, triggers and treatments. It’s important to stay updated on the latest migraine research and treatment strategies. The American Migraine Foundation Resource Library provides a wealth of articles designed to assist you in understanding your symptoms and treatment options. The American Migraine Foundation is committed to improving the lives of those living Substance abuse with this debilitating disease. To learn more about all of your migraine treatment options, visit the AMF Resource Library.
- Dehydration, a change in the balance of body water and essential nutrients, results.
- Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe.
- Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
Track Yourself and the Type of Alcohol You Drink
- Women are more likely than men to experience headaches after drinking alcoholic beverages.
- The kidneys increase urination substantially, leading to dehydration.
- Dehydration, changes in blood flow, and the accumulation of alcohol’s metabolic byproducts are believed to contribute to the development of delayed alcohol-induced headaches.
- Light sensitivity is a common symptom of migraine (as is sensitivity to sounds or smells), but not everyone who has the disease will experience it.
In turn, this leads to more blood being able to flow into the brain, which can trigger a migraine. There is some evidence that certain distilled spirits may cause fewer headaches. This is because beer and wine often contain more toxic byproducts from fermentation, such as aldehydes.
Style Mistakes Middle-Aged Men Should Avoid for a Youthful Look
Some people also experience auras, which can include visual disturbances like flashes of light or blind spots, before the headache begins. Drinking even a small amount of alcohol may trigger a migraine or headache in people with migraine. People who do not get migraines tend to get a headache when consuming a large amount of alcohol. If you’re already bloated from eating food or drinking other alcoholic beverages, adding carbonation can worsen these symptoms and make you feel even more uncomfortable. So if you don’t replace those lost fluids by drinking extra water or juice along with your non-alcoholic wine, you may end up dehydrated and get a headache as a result. Chronic headaches can be caused by excessive drinking and can last for days or weeks after drinking.
So while drinking water in between drinks and before bed is a good idea, it won’t actually replenish your depleted mineral stores. This is common in people with Asian flush who have trouble why do i get headaches when i drink alcohol breaking down a toxic alcoholic metabolite called acetaldehyde. Not being able to breakdown this toxin causes the body to produce more histamines. This can trigger migraines after drinking only a small amount of alcohol.In addition to the above two points, alcohol can also cause dehydration. A hangover is an unpleasant consequence of heavy alcohol consumption and includes a headache and other symptoms.
Which Type Of Alcohol Is Least Likely To Cause A Headache?
- Have fun but remain diligent about how much alcohol you’re drinking as well.
- Alcohol inhibits the production of vasopressin, a hormone that helps retain water in the body.
- Headache timing varies – some happen quickly, others as “hangovers.” Factors like weight, gender, ethnicity affect alcohol tolerance.
Some drinks, like red wine, are more likely to trigger headaches due to their higher histamine content and the presence of tannins. On the other hand, clear spirits like vodka, gin, and white rum are generally considered less likely to cause headaches. This is because clear spirits often have fewer additives and chemicals that can trigger headache symptoms. Are you tired of waking up with a throbbing headache or a migraine attack after a night of drinking?