Finally, 22 articles [26, 27, 36, 44–62] were retrieved for further analysis. The exact mechanism behind this observation may indicate that migraine leads to alcohol-avoidance, rather than alcohol having any protective role against migraine. However, further studies related to primary headaches and alcohol consumption with low risk of bias are required.
Migraine without aura
After using the above key terms, 1,892 articles were identified in the three databases. 511 papers were found in PubMed, 773 in Embase and 608 in Web of Science. 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.
Relationship between alcohol and migraine headaches
For example, if you experience migraines and notice that alcohol triggers your migraine headache, then taking one of your migraine therapies (for example, a triptan) at the start of your headache may be best. Most studies point to red wine as a common headache culprit, particularly in people with migraine. These individuals commonly cite wine, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger. A 2016 review notes that alcohol may trigger a tension headache, especially if a person also has migraine. The research found that 21% of people with migraine say that alcohol is a tension headache trigger, compared with just 2% of people without migraine. Without a consistent cause-and-effect situation, though, it could be a number of factors — not just alcohol — that are triggering your migraine headache.
What Are the Short-Term Effects of Alcohol?
- Explore these Frequently Asked Questions about migraine symptoms to see if you might be experiencing migraine.
- Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.
- Alcohol’s effects on your body include dehydration, inflammation, reduced sleep quality, and the buildup of toxic substances—all of which can give you a headache.
- Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag.
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]. In a 2018 study involving 2,197 people with migraine, 25% of the participants who had stopped or always avoided drinking did so because alcohol triggered migraine attacks. More than a third of the participants said that alcohol had this effect, with about 78% naming red wine as the most common alcohol trigger.
The possible triggering site
Genes that play a role in opioid, serotonin, and dopamine systems also influence alcohol sensitivity. These genes may affect the likelihood of experiencing symptoms such as headaches after drinking small amounts. It’s likely that your healthcare provider will monitor your hemoglobin A1C levels, often just called A1C. This blood test shows your average blood sugar over the last few months, rather than at a fixed point in time.
What’s the Connection Between Alcohol and Migraines?
- Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs.
- But some people are more likely to have hangovers than others are.
- You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldn’t.
- Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, increasing the production of stomach acid and delaying stomach emptying.
People who cannot stop drinking should talk with a doctor about treatment for alcohol use disorder, which is a serious but treatable condition. It can’t prevent a migraine, but it can help stop one after it starts. Triptans work best when you take them at the early signs of a migraine. 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.
Do you ever experience throbbing headaches after a night of drinking? Alcohol-induced headaches are common after having a drink or two. They occur due to various factors such as dehydration, changes in blood flow to the brain, and alcohol’s impact on serotonin levels. There is some evidence that vitamin B6 taken before drinking can be mildly helpful.
Additives in different types of alcohol
As dehydration can cause headaches, staying hydrated when consuming alcohol is key. Aim to drink plenty of water before, after, and during alcohol consumption. More research will help to alcohol causes migraines determine the effects of specific alcohol content on a person’s headaches. Making sure to drink plenty of water during and after alcohol consumption can decrease the chance of headaches.
Migraine with aura
Substances such as sulfites, histamine, and tyramines are found in alcohol and may contribute to headaches as well. It has also been proposed that alcohol triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to a headache. When enjoying a night out on the town, there are several triggers you may expose yourself to including bright flashing lights, loud music, food and alcohol. A slice of cheesecake or pizza can do far more damage for some people than others.