Alcohol-Induced Migraine: Causes, Prevention, Treatment, and More

Lavender oil is known for its calming effects and can be inhaled directly or used in aromatherapy diffusers. If you find yourself struggling to stop drinking or recognize that you have symptoms of alcohol use disorder, it’s important to reach out for help. Those triggers don’t necessarily correlate with the volume of alcohol consumed, either.

Ready for expert-backed migraine treatment?

• 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.
• So with that goal in mind, we spoke to a number of physicians specializing in headache and migraine treatment as well as addiction medicine to find out exactly why drinking may trigger a headache.
• Scientific evidence underscores the need for individualized approaches, informed by both research and personal health history, to manage headaches effectively.
• While this might seem beneficial, the relationship between vasodilation and headache relief or exacerbation is nuanced.

Recognizing the effects of alcohol on headaches is essential for prevention. Learning about the specific types of alcoholic beverages that can provoke migraines is a valuable step. By becoming aware of these factors, individuals can reduce the frequency of their headaches. In summary, while alcohol may provide temporary relief from headaches, it often leads to rebound headaches due to its effects on blood vessels and the brain. These headaches can become chronic if alcohol is used frequently as a coping mechanism.

Gender and body weight

Of the 1,547 participants, 783 said that alcohol was a trigger, and 195 were not sure. If you want to test to see if alcohol is a trigger, test one of these best alcohols for migraine and headaches on a day when you feel good and other triggers are low. Those who are triggered by alcohol usually feel the attack coming on within a few hours, although some reported that the next day was when they felt it. The informal poll of our Migraine Strong community members indicated that 53% are triggered by alcohol. This percentage is very similar to the amount reported Alcoholics Anonymous in a study on migraine and triggers. Clear liquors (gin, vodka and clear tequila) were found to be tolerated best.

Whether Alcohol Is a Migraine Trigger

• A person may experience migraine after drinking if they are susceptible to it.
• Choosing lighter-coloured drinks, taking things slowly and feeling the changes in your body as you drink can reduce the risk of severe hangover headaches.
• When you’ve had too much fun the night before and overindulgence has caught up with you, there are treatments and home remedies for a hangover headache.
• While moderate drinking may not cause any significant health issues for most individuals, some may experience unpleasant side effects such as headaches or migraines after consuming alcohol.
• When choosing a wine for migraine relief, it is important to consider the individual’s sensitivity to alcohol, as well as their lifestyle and history with wine.

Therefore, while some individuals might feel temporary relief from a headache after consuming alcohol, the subsequent dehydration often exacerbates the issue, leading to more severe or prolonged symptoms. Alcohol consumption is a common part of social gatherings and celebrations for many people. While moderate does alcohol help headaches drinking may not cause any significant health issues for most individuals, some may experience unpleasant side effects such as headaches or migraines after consuming alcohol.

Alternative Approaches to Migraine Relief

Additionally, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ some types of wine may contain more tannins, cinnamic acid, sulfites, or other compounds that have the potential to affect an individual’s reaction to it. Additionally, since beer is carbonated, it can help to rehydrate the body more quickly than water, which can help relieve dehydration-caused headaches. Additionally, the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties found in compounds like hops have been shown to be effective in treating minor aches and pains. Most medical professionals advise against using alcohol to treat headaches due to its negative impact on hydration, sleep, and immune function. Safer and more effective headache treatments are recommended instead.

Choosing a Migraine-Friendly Wine

Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity have been shown to alleviate stress levels. We asked these experts what a person who struggles with migraine would expect if they stopped drinking, and the answers were varied. Overall, physicians state that stopping drinking certain types of alcohol, like those with tannins, may lead to fewer migraine headaches. Savage-Edwards advises that if alcohol is found to be a trigger, then it’s best to avoid it. “Alcohol consumption is one of the most common dietary triggers for migraine sufferers,” says Dr. Sara Crystal, Cove Medical Director, noting that alcohol causes two specific types of headaches. If so, a trial of abstaining might be worthwhile in these specific cases.