Hangovers occur when the alcohol levels in your blood drop significantly—frequently the morning after you drink. Hangovers can affect pretty much anyone who has had too much to drink. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing increased urination which can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can trigger headaches by causing fatigue and dizziness. Drinking water alongside alcohol can help maintain hydration and reduce the likelihood of headaches.
Alcohol-Induced Migraine vs. Delayed Alcohol-Induced Headache
It’s critical to have a support network of understanding people who can not only check in on you but also empathize with your experience. Then consider joining our Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine. One of the more interesting migraine facts is that triggers are additive. If you wake up after a night of drinking with an attack, it doesn’t necessarily mean the beer is to blame. It can be hard to narrow down a single cause of a headache after drinking, and some attacks just happen without a clear cause. The alcohol in the blood increases more quickly with liquor than with beer.
- Some research suggests that congeners play a role in hangovers, although factors such as inflammation also contribute.
- These cells play a crucial role in maintaining vascular homeostasis by releasing substances that regulate vessel dilation and constriction.
Types of headaches
In the USA, 51% of adults consumed alcohol in the last year; additionally, 11% of those over 50 years old and 6% over 65 age reported the symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependence 21. In Europe, 60% of adults over 60 years of age are current drinkers, and 20% of these had higher levels of consumption than the general population 22. Statistically, males drink more alcohol than women and have more alcohol-related behavioral disorders 23. Drinking problems occur in every age, but in the 25–49 age group, alcohol has the highest impact on mortality caused by cancer deaths and also life disability 24, 25.
Why does alcohol trigger migraine attacks?
- In a study published in 2018, 77.8% of patients reported red wine as a trigger in general, with 8.8% of patients noting it as a consistent trigger.
- Even a modest amount of alcohol can cause people with migraine to develop a delayed headache or trigger an attack.
- It’s important to stay updated on the latest migraine research and treatment strategies.
- Both short-term and long-term alcohol exposure affect serotonin receptors, which are responsible for converting serotonin’s chemical signal into functional changes in the receiving cell.
- Additionally, high-stress environments and poor dietary choices can further amplify sodium sensitivity, leading to more frequent and severe headaches.
In Europe, alcohol consumption is higher than in Asian countries, but in Europe alcohol as a trigger is reported more frequently than it is in Asia 87. Therefore, this hypothesis seems a less likely explanation for our results. Due to the inclusion of many study designs, the risk of bias was evaluated using tools adjusted to the type of study. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used for cross-sectional, cohort and case control studies 63. According to the appropriate JBI checklist, cross-sectional studies had to be conducted on the basis of eight questions, case-controls had ten questions, while cohort studies contained 11 questions. If a cross-sectional study received seven or more positive answers, a case–control eight and a cohort study nine, ten or 11, their assessments were described as having a low risk of bias.
You’ll discover what happens in your belly and brain when you mix beer with migraine or another headache disorder. 2021 research also linked lifestyle factors with alcohol drinking and smoking to cluster headaches and their severity. People who have frequent migraine attacks may wish to consider migraine prevention medications such as topiramate (Topamax), divalproex (Depakote), propranolol (Inderal), or CGRP inhibitors. These headaches cause very intense pain that often primarily affects the area behind one eye.
- It depends on various factors like the amount of beer consumed, hydration levels, and individual tolerance.
- It’s important to note that alcohol use disorder is a serious illness that can have life-threatening consequences.
- Then, 142 conference abstracts, 100 reviews, four book chapters and 42 unretrieved studies were not taken into further consideration.
Opt for lighter beer options, like lagers does beer help with headaches or pilsners, to reduce the risk of headaches caused by congeners. Additionally, limit your intake and monitor personal sensitivities to specific ingredients. Beers like lagers or pilsners typically have fewer congeners than darker varieties. Look for organic or naturally brewed beers, as they usually contain fewer additives that may trigger headaches. Reading labels can help you steer clear of potential headache culprits. Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body reacts poorly to alcohol.
This leads to excessive urination and dehydration, which may cause a headache after a small amount of alcohol. Individuals with lower body weights cannot process as much alcohol as individuals at higher weights. Alcohol is embedded in our society, and it is difficult to be in a public space without seeing a reference to alcohol or being offered a drink. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase.
Can naltrexone help reduce binge drinking?
For instance, sodium influences serotonin release, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation and headache disorders. Studies suggest that fluctuations in sodium levels can impact serotonin activity, potentially affecting headache frequency and intensity. This connection underscores the complex interplay between sodium and neurological health, suggesting that sodium intake could influence headache experiences. Drinking too much can trigger migraines, and possibly other types of headaches—such as cluster headaches and tension headaches—in people who are already susceptible to these issues. Such headaches can occur while you are drinking, or a few hours after—even if you’ve had as little as one drink. If you’re prone to migraine attacks, it’s wise to avoid alcoholic beverages altogether.
Statistical analysis
People with a variant in this enzyme have issues with metabolizing alcohol and can develop total body flushing or reddening of the skin. The following factors play an essential part in determining the safe amount of alcohol for you. Fusel alcohol is a mix of amyl alcohols formed as a by-product during the fermentation process. Chemically, they are made up of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols with open-chain carbon atoms after the breakdown of amino acids. Since these fusels are a by-product what is Oxford House of the fermentation process, they may cause off-flavors in beer. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between migraine and alcohol.
