Find out why alcoholic drinks can cause problems for migraine sufferers and what you can do to prevent alcohol-related migraines. Sometimes you might get an attack because multiple triggers are working in combination. For example, you might have overslept and skipped breakfast, and be tired and stressed from a busy week at work. Adding alcohol into the mix could then tip you over the threshold for having an attack. If you want to drink, it may be best to do so on days where you feel relaxed, you’ve followed your usual daily routine, and you’ve avoided your other triggers, as this could reduce your risk of a migraine attack.
Data sources and search terms
- Alcohol consumption causes a range of different physical symptoms.
- Subsequently, 38 non-English articles, 30 animal studies, seven studies concentrating on molecular pathways to alcohol intake and 562 papers not related to our topic were removed from the remaining records.
- No differences were found between migraine and tension headache and different genders.
- No matter what type of pain occurs, the nervous system uses the same mechanisms to relieve it.
- Certain genes may influence the tendency to drink and alcohol tolerance to quantities of alcohol.
- Moreover, research has shown a decreased prevalence of headache with increasing number of alcohol units consumed.
- Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider may help detect issues early.
Several studies suggest that alcohol, especially red wine, may trigger migraine attacks. A 2019 study recognized alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger factor for people with migraine. Vasodilation may trigger migraine attacks in certain individuals.
Here is the advice of one wine expert
In cross-sectional studies, six out of the 11 had a high risk of bias [46–48, 51, 56, 60], because they received fewer than 6 positive answers. Three studies were evaluated as moderate risk, with 6 “yes” answers [44, 57, 59]. Two of the remaining cross-sectional papers achieved seven or eight points and therefore were low bias-risk [26, 27]. Table Table44 summarizes the assessment of the cross-sectional risk of bias.
What the Community Says About Alcohol-Induced Headache
- People with migraine are also more likely to report headaches as a hangover symptom than people without migraine.
- In accordance with data from a recent prospective study, we believe that reports overestimate the role of alcohol, as well as other foods, in the triggering of migraine.
- Keep a diary of exactly what brand you drink, how much alcohol you drink, how you’re drinking it, and if there are any other migraine triggers present — like hormonal swings or weather changes, or certain foods.
- But other drinks like sparkling wine, beer, and hard liquor may be just as likely, if not more, to cause problems.
Biogenic amines, sulphites, flavonoid phenols, 5-hydroxytryptamine mechanisms and vasodilating effects are discussed. The fact that few headache patients cannot tolerate some alcoholic drinks does not justify the consideration that alcohol is a major trigger and the suggestion of abstinence. In fact, low does alcohol cause migraines doses of alcohol can have a beneficial effect on patients such as migraineurs, who were reported to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The meta-analysis showed a 1.5-lower risk of migraine in people who consume alcohol. However, migraine patients consume less alcohol for various reasons.
The risk of developing an alcohol-induced headache is particularly high with mixed drinks that are composed of multiple types of liquor. In an open-bar situation, choose beer, wine, or a mixed drink made with a high-quality brand. Certain additives can increase the chance of developing a headache after drinking. People prone to headaches may be at a higher risk of experiencing alcohol-related headaches.
If you find yourself with chronic pain, you may also have high blood pressure. Learning to manage your pain-related high blood pressure is important to prevent any other further health complications. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out what you can do to lower blood pressure.
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My prescriptions generally go to the pharmacy and not the liquor store. But there are a few secrets to consuming alcohol without the alcohol-induced headache. Alcohol consumption causes a range of different physical symptoms. The tables below group alcohol types by the amount of these additives.
- Some people drink water in between glasses of wine, for example.
- Therefore, the release of 5-HT possibly from central stores could represent a plausible mechanism for wine induced headache.
- Talk to your doctor about any concerns and about whether it is safe to drink alcohol with any medications you are taking.
- 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.
- 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].
