Future studies using specific antimigraine drugs such as triptans, may show efficacy in controlling at least part of the hangover symptoms cluster. In this cross-sectional study, university students were asked to fill structured questionnaires assessing headache history, alcoholic consumption, and hangover symptoms (using the Hangover Symptom Scale (HSS)). Subjects were classified as suffering from migraine with or without aura and nonsufferers according the International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). The 13 hangover symptoms were divided by the researches into migraine-like and other nonmigraine-like symptoms. This disruption can be a potential trigger for migraine, as poor sleep quality is a known risk factor for migraine attacks.
Migraine is a symptom of an underlying condition, and one of the elements of a migraine is a headache. A migraine is headache with other symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, aura and more. We know that if we treat the underlying cause, we can make great strides in helping migraine patients live pain-free. Any relief experienced from red wine likely comes from resveratrol, a potentially health-boosting plant compound.
The drugs target CGRP, released by the nerves and blood vessels during a migraine attack. Botox is approved for use on the NHS for the treatment of chronic migraine – at least 15 headache days a month – in adults who have tried other treatments. It may be tempting to try to power through your migraine, but taking a break at the start of a migraine attack may help keep your symptoms from worsening. Combining rest with a quick-acting over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription migraine medication may be especially helpful. Still, if we assume these results reflect a genuine, significant pathway underlying the dreaded “red wine headache,” does this mean that you can never enjoy a cabernet or merlot without pain? Not exactly, as various strategies exist for mitigating the headache-inducing effects.
Generally, these clear alcohols are highly distilled and have almost no leftover congeners from the beginning fermentation process. While alcohol can help you feel sleepy and induce sleep, it tends to interfere with sleep in the later stages of the evening. As long as you don’t eat meals containing other triggers, this is one of the best things you can do. Try to stick to just a glass or two and eat enough for the food to soak up some of that alcohol.
Additionally, it’s possible to have migraine episodes and hangovers, Rosen said. It’s important to note that alcohol use disorder is a serious illness that can have life-threatening consequences. It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your alcohol use. The final analysis was therefore based on 20,000 realizations, 10,000 from each chain. Plots of iterations versus sampled values for each variable were inspected to check model convergence.
When To See a Healthcare Provider
We recommend a look at our patient guides, which include useful information including how to talk to your doctor about migraine. If your support system is lacking, consider joining a support group. Finding a community of people who understand exactly what you’re going through is like being welcomed home after a long, tiring day. Our Move Against Migraine support group is a place for you to connect with others (via Facebook) who live with migraine to exchange stories and find community and support. Pregnancy can add another complicated layer to your migraine journey, but having a strong support system will make it easier to navigate the ups and downs.
What is the commonest type of alcohol-induced headache, and how does it differ from a migraine?
- Additionally, it is important to communicate with your doctor if you experience any adverse effects or if the medication does not seem to be working as expected.
- Of these, 651 met the criterion for EM retrospectively, and 493 reported drinking alcohol.
- The most important one is probably its effect on oxidative stress.
- 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.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, internationally, about 10 percent of people with migraine report a frequent link between alcohol and headaches. In some parts of the world, that number drops to as low as 1.4 percent. One study found that alcohol contributes to migraine attacks in up to one-third of people diagnosed with the condition. 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. They should talk to a medical provider about these triggers in order to minimize their headaches.
Is alcohol or another component of the drink the trigger?
In turn, especially if we are not eating, this can lead to hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, which can also trigger migraine, which is the third mechanism. Whether you’re a seasoned migraine sufferer or just starting to identify patterns in your headaches, this guide will help clarify the connection between alcohol and migraine and empower you to make informed decisions. Those diagnosed with a specific type of headache may be more prone to develop a specific type of headache after consuming alcohol. For example, on average, females tend to weigh less than males.
Alcohol: A Trigger for Headaches and Migraines
Receiving a formal migraine diagnosis target="_blank">migraine from drinking is the first milestone when working with your doctor to identify a personalized and effective treatment plan. Continuing to talk with your doctor throughout the course of your treatment is important for determining the strategies that prove beneficial and those that may not be as effective. Did you know that 20% of women say they avoid pregnancy because of migraine? While migraine thankfully does not affect fertility, it can complicate conversations about family planning and infertility treatments.
These can make symptoms worse and increase migraine risk in sensitive individuals. Factors such as individual tolerance (which includes your genetic ability to detoxify alcohol), specific ingredients in drinks, and even the amount consumed can all play roles in whether a migraine attack will follow. 2021 research also linked lifestyle factors with alcohol drinking and smoking to cluster headaches and their severity. Alcohol seems to trigger both migraine and cluster headaches. However, the type of alcoholic beverage that triggers these headaches is not clear.
Furthermore, this study found that there was a decreased likelihood of an attack 24 to 48 hours after consumption. 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. Distribution of daily alcoholic beverages consumption (total daily quantity and by type of alcoholic drink), for all person‐days, within‐person means, and within‐person SDs. In a 2007 study, Austrian researchers examined a number of factors related to migraine, specifically considering consumption of alcohol and other nutritional factors the day before the onset of a headache. They found limited importance of nutrition, including alcohol intake, in the triggering of migraine.
- Yet, a 2016 study pointed out that estimates vary and the reason that alcohol use might trigger migraine episodes is still unclear.
- Nonalcoholic beverages with little to no added sugar are the best drinks for migraine.
- A delayed alcohol-induced headache is what we commonly call a hangover.
- However, the study author also cautions that no single factor causes all hangover headaches.
It’s unclear why alcohol may trigger migraine, but red wine and liquor may be more likely to do so because of the chemical compounds they contain. A 2023 review indicated that the risk of migraine in people who drink alcohol is about 1.5 times lower than in those who don’t, though the studies reviewed had a high amount of bias. People with migraine might confuse later-occurring headaches for regular hangover headaches, which are different from the migraine kind. Hangover headaches typically occur when blood alcohol levels go down or reach zero.
Dark-colored alcohols like red wine, brandy, and whiskey may contain more of them. People who experience a headache after drinking should not assume that it is a migraine attack, especially if they have symptoms consistent with other types of headaches. For example, a tension headache may cause pain in the neck or shoulders. There’s a link between migraine and not getting enough magnesium.
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