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why does alcohol cause migraines

The mechanisms of alcohol-provoking headache were discussed in relationship to the principal pathogenetic theories of primary headaches. The conclusion was that vasodilatation is hardly compatible with ADs trigger activity of all primary headaches and a common pathogenetic mechanism at cortical, or more likely at subcortical/brainstem, level is more plausible. The role of dietary triggers has been well reviewed previously [1, 2]. Some studies show that patients in whom alcohol or wine/beer acts as a trigger factor also had significantly more other foods as a trigger [19,73]. Certainly, some headache patients cannot tolerate some alcoholic drinks, although not frequently, and perhaps only in combination in the presence of other trigger factors (stress, for example). However, a few negative experiences cannot justify the media and scientific information on alcohol as a major headache trigger and the suggestion of abstinence.

why does alcohol cause migraines

Cluster headaches

why does alcohol cause migraines

Remember, the best way to completely avoid alcohol-related headaches is by moderating or abstaining from alcohol consumption. Prioritise your health and make responsible choices when it comes to drinking. If you consistently experience severe headaches after drinking, consulting a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance is a good idea.

why does alcohol cause migraines

Binge Drinking and Its Risks

  • And for about one-third of people who have migraines, alcohol is also a trigger.
  • A 5-ounce glass of wine (or 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot) may be OK every now and then, so long as it doesn’t bring on a headache.
  • By learning how migraine and mental health impact one another and ways to manage both, you can improve your quality of life.
  • If you’re interested in connecting with more people in the migraine community, we recommend joining our Facebook support group, Move Against Migraine.

Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, the recommended daily max alcohol consumption is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. A small study from 2001 found that 16 people with wine intolerance who took antihistamines (anti-allergy meds) before drinking red wine had no notable improvements from the treatment. The researchers concluded that there’s no correlation between wine sensitivity/intolerance and the drink’s histamine content. Red wine can also cause a rise in the level of a type of brain chemical called serotonin (5-HT) in the blood.8 This has been linked to migraine headaches, though once again, the relationship is poorly understood. If you suffer from migraines, you will learn to recognise which particular symptoms affect you. These may include experiencing an ‘aura’ as a warning symptom that a migraine is coming on – this might mean experiencing disturbed vision – such as seeing spots or zig-zag lines.

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These are substances that the alcohol manufacturing process produces. Some research suggests that congeners play a role in hangovers, although factors such alcohol causes migraines as inflammation also contribute. A tendency toward migraine may also play a role in hangovers, especially hangovers that cause migraine-like headaches.

Risk factors

A 2014 survey of 692 students, 95 of whom had migraine, found that those with migraine were more likely to experience migraine-like symptoms during a hangover. However, these individuals were not more vulnerable to other hangover symptoms. But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, you’ll need to be careful about how much you drink. A 5-ounce glass of wine (or 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot) may be OK every now and then, so long as it doesn’t bring on a headache.

  • Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.
  • A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within as little as three hours after drinking alcohol.
  • Males should aim to drink two or fewer drinks daily, and females should aim to drink one or fewer.
  • Migraine causes a specific type of headache that involves neurological symptoms such as light sensitivity and aura.

However, the study author also cautions that no single factor causes all hangover headaches. Although genetic factors influence the risk of having migraine, environmental triggers can cause episodes or increase their frequency. You might have heard that red wine is most likely to cause problems.

Alcohol can trigger headaches, including migraines, cluster headaches, and tension-type headaches. In fact, around 30 percent of people who experience recurrent migraines report alcohol as a trigger. People who experience a headache after drinking should not assume that it is a migraine, especially if they have symptoms consistent with other types of headaches. For example, a tension headache may cause pain in the neck or shoulders. Another thing that remains unclear is whether the type of alcohol you drink determines whether or not you will get a migraine headache. Some studies found that red wine is a main trigger in migraine with aura and cluster type migraine, but they also note that all alcohol could have the same effect.

Is Alcohol Consumption a Trigger for Migraine?

why does alcohol cause migraines

While all alcohol contains high levels of histamines, red wines have a significantly higher amount than other beverages, and therefore may lead to more severe headaches. Aside from contributing to the flavor of the alcohol, congeners increase the severity and frequency of hangover symptoms, including headaches. Congeners tend to aggravate brain tissue and blood vessels, which contributes to headaches. Clear liquors, like white rum, vodka, and gin, have significantly fewer congeners and may cause fewer headache symptoms. Although, as we’ll discuss below, there are other factors that can lead to headaches no matter what form of alcohol you consume. The majority were female (419/487, 86.0%), actively working (293/378, 77.5%).

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