Alcohol-related headaches can be a frustrating experience, especially for those who live with migraine. While the exact reasons why alcohol triggers headaches are still not fully understood, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk and enjoy a drink without pain. This dilutes the effect of alcohol in your system and reduces the chance of an alcohol-induced headache or triggering a migraine attack.
- A common misconception is that overconsumption of alcohol is what triggers headaches.
- For most people, a hangover headache will last no more than 24 hours, with many people finding that a good night’s sleep and plenty of water can relieve their symptoms completely.
- While red wine has been described as a dominant trigger of migraines and cluster headaches, white wine, champagne, sparkling wines, and beer have also been linked to headaches.
- For many people, drinking alcohol and the first stages of intoxication can be quite pleasant.
Depressed After Quitting Drinking? This Is Why It Happens.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between nerve cells. They are responsible for regulating various bodily functions, including pain perception and mood. Alcohol consumption can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters, leading to migraines in susceptible individuals. I’ve spent the last seven years researching and understanding alcoholism, addiction, and how people get sober. Additionally, I examine the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ way mental and physical health as well as our relationships with others impact the reasons people drink and their role in maintaining sobriety long-term.
Pre-existing Conditions and Alcohol Headaches
However, the research suggests that alcohol may not be the only trigger and may also depend on other factors. Tim has written about recovery and addiction for well over a decade. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cookie and spending time with his wife, children and three dogs. The single main reason that alcohol is the cause of a headache is that it is what is known as a diuretic. But according to Waterhouse and Devi, the amount of milligrams of sulfites in wine — 20 milligrams in a single Sober living house glass — are unlikely to be enough to overwhelm the body’s sulfite oxidases.
Does Type of Alcohol Matter? Which Alcohol Is Best for Headaches?
They are thought to cause blood vessels to expand, leading to increased blood flow and potential headaches. If you’re prone to alcohol-related headaches, it may be beneficial to choose lighter colored liquors or opt for clear spirits that have lower congener content. Certain types of alcohol, such as red wine and dark liquors, tend to have higher levels of congeners compared to clear liquors like vodka or gin.
- Quercetin glucuronide, according to the study, disrupts the body’s metabolism of alcohol and creates extra acetaldehyde to circulate — which causes inflammation and headaches.
- You might have heard that red wine is most likely to cause problems.
- Reduced blood pressure in the brain can cause pain and sensitivity due to widening arteries to blood flow which in most cases results to headaches.
- As a result, a female’s blood alcohol concentration tends to be higher, making it more likely for females to experience headaches and hangovers.
If you are struggling with how much alcohol you consume, cutting it out altogether may not be the best idea. Those suffering from an immediate alcohol-induced headache will likely feel a pulsating sensation, usually on both sides of the head. They will also find that the headache increases in intensity when any physical activity is taken.
Red wine often gets the most why does vodka give me a headache blame, but beer can also have a significant impact. In fact, in one large survey on cluster headaches, beer was the most common culprit of all alcoholic drinks. 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.
