A slice of cheesecake or pizza can do far more damage for some people than others. Alcohol may temporarily offer sedation but isn’t proven to be effective at soothing or preventing migraine. Alcohol is considered a potential migraine trigger, though research isn’t clear on why. Pontinen said triptans are commonly used to treat migraine once symptoms start.
Beer and migraine
Another thing that remains unclear is if the quantity and type of alcohol you drink determines whether you will get a migraine headache. The review also suggests that having migraine leads people to avoid alcohol, rather than alcohol having any protective role against migraine. People without migraine who consume greater quantities of alcohol often report immediate headaches. Then again, according to a 2023 review of research, studies have found that alcohol appears to be less likely to cause migraine headaches. While headache is generally recognized as a side effect of alcohol in many people, its reputation as a migraine headache trigger may be overestimated. Substance abuse Migraine is complex, and other neurological conditions may cause migraine-like symptoms.
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can sometimes be life-threatening.
- Dehydration triggers some migraine cases; therefore, drinking plenty of water can help, even after the fact.
- They’re found in both red and white wine, but they’re more concentrated in reds.
- As long as you don’t eat meals containing other triggers, this is one of the best things you can do.
- If you or a loved one needs support with problematic drinking, we are here for you.
Whether Alcohol Is a Migraine Trigger
It has also been proposed that alcohol triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to a headache. There’s no proof that drinking raw eggs or downing hot sauce will get rid of your morning-after migraine faster. Downing more alcohol (the “hair of the dog” theory) won’t help either. But other drinks like sparkling wine, beer, and hard liquor may be just as likely, if not more, to cause problems. 2020 research shows that women are more likely to experience hangovers, memory problems, and liver disease from consuming alcohol. This chemical is a vasodilator, which increases the size of blood vessels in the body.
Herbal Supplements for Migraine: What to Know
Criteria to recognize habits for alcohol consumption was various in almost each study. Some of them assessed the drinking by daily alcohol intake 44, 45, 47, 48, 55, 58, 59, 62, part of them measured drinking within one week 44, 47, 51, 53, 60, 61 or month 36, 44, 47, 49, 51. Additionally, there were cases 56, 57 where division was based on never, current or past drinking. More accurate calculation with amount and various types of alcohol was also conducted in studies 26, 27, 45, 54. Only few studies 46, 48,49,50, 52 provided the data about the period in which alcohol drinking was considered and measured. Nineteen studies used questionnaire methods to assess drinking 36, 44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59, 61, 62.
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 https://www.hadavars.com/what-is-the-difference-between-alcohol-abuse-and/ minimize their headaches. Red wine is the type of alcohol most often reported as a headache trigger. 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.
How to Manage Your Alcohol Consumption to Prevent Migraine Attacks
“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 you know a migraine is likely to come on and plan to drink anyway, triptans can help. Also, follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding alcohol consumption. Dehydration triggers some migraine cases; therefore, drinking plenty of water can help, even after the fact.
Dr. Green cautions, however, that stopping drinking may not resolve the entire problem. That’s likely because there are other underlying migraine triggers, such as certain foods, caffeine, fluctuating hormones, and stress. If migraine headaches continue to cause you grief, look beyond home remedies. At the National Headache Institute, we investigate to find the underlying causes of migraine and headaches. We have created customized plans than have helped more than 12,000 people live the pain-free lives they deserve.
Can Not Drinking Alcohol Cause Headaches?
The role of alcohol in triggering migraine attacks is unclear, and the research is limited. If you’re asking yourself can alcoholism cause chronic headaches, it’s time to consider how alcohol might be affecting more than just your head. These headaches could be a sign that your body is struggling under the stress of alcohol. Whether you’re just starting to connect the dots, or you’ve known for a while that you need to make a change, it’s never too late to seek help. If alcohol is impacting your life and health, reaching out for support is a strong and positive step. Our team is here to provide the guidance and care you need to overcome these challenges.
- According to the migraine trust, alcohol regularly triggers migraine in around 10% of people.
- Nineteen studies used questionnaire methods to assess drinking 36, 44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59, 61, 62.
- These headaches are a consequence of the brain’s recalibration in the absence of alcohol.
- There were a total of 2990 embedded missing days (2990/46,820, 6.4%) resulting in 43,830 days (90 for each individual) eligible for analysis.
The onset and intensity of a headache are faster for some people than others. The reasons behind headaches are complex, as many processes in the body respond to alcohol in ways that trigger pain and discomfort. Keep a record of any symptoms that occur after consuming alcohol and discuss them with your doctor. Identifying your specific food and drink triggers is a key part of any migraine prevention and treatment plan.
Neither the interaction term nor the presence of migraine on day‐2 were significant and they were removed (one at a time) from the final model (Model 2). No convergence issues were identified in Model 3 (neither in the full nor in the simplified, final model). Table 3 shows the distribution of daily alcoholic beverage consumption.
It is crucial to take medications at the recommended times to ensure maximum effectiveness. 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. 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.
Like food triggers, the likelihood of can alcohol cause headaches a particular type of alcohol triggering a headache is probably different from person to person. If you suffer from migraines, talk with your doctor about how alcohol may affect you. Studies show that many people with migraine choose not to drink alcohol for fear that it may trigger a migraine attack. However, researchers aren’t clear on exactly how or why alcohol can impact migraine. There is even some debate about whether alcohol itself or another chemical component in alcoholic drinks acts as the trigger. This uncertainty makes it difficult for many people who want to responsibly enjoy alcohol during the holidays or on special occasions to effectively manage their migraine symptoms.
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