Alcohol and Migraine: Relationship, Triggers, and Treatment

Many people have experienced a headache after drinking alcohol — especially after drinking too much. Migraine is complex, and other neurological conditions may cause migraine-like symptoms. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor about migraine symptoms or chronic headaches, with or without drinking. Of the 1,547 participants, 783 said that alcohol was a trigger, and 195 were not sure.

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• Vasodilation may trigger migraine attacks in certain individuals.
• But that’s good news because while you can’t always change your environment, you have much more control over your internal state.
• Knowing the difference between headaches and migraine helps you understand what you’re dealing with.
• 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.

Some of the main effects of alcohol intoxication involve disinhibition, increased impulsivity (loss of self-control), and behaviors focusing on current thoughts, feelings, or emotions without regard for social norms. A 2020 what is alcoholism review of the scientific literature found that taking ginger right after the first symptoms of migraines relieved the pain within two hours. Ginger also lessened the risk of accompanying nausea and vomiting.

Navigating Alcohol Consumption When Living with Migraine

Alcohol delays and suppresses or limits rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and may cause you to wake up, resulting in poor-quality, lighter sleep and less time in restorative deep sleep. They could examine your symptoms to provide a proper diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. This Soothing Ginger and Mushroom Congee is like a warm hug for your brain — gentle, nourishing, and packed with migraine-fighting goodness. Ginger appears to be the most potent food for stopping migraines.

• Most importantly, you should always consult your health care provider before beginning a new supplement regimen.
• Drinking alcohol can lead to a headache that comes later, even after the alcohol is gone.
• There are also specific anti-inflammatory foods that may act as natural migraine remedies, reducing symptom frequency and severity.
• But as alcohol leaves your body, it may have the opposite effect and increase pain sensitivity.
• It will be crucial to have access to reliable resources on migraine as you work to manage this disease.
• We also examine the types of headache alcohol can trigger and the types of alcohol likely to cause more headaches.
• Nineteen studies used questionnaire methods to assess drinking 36, 44–59, 61, 62.

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Yes, alcohol consumption can potentially exacerbate secondary headaches, particularly those related to cardiovascular disease or blood pressure issues. After reviewing the information alcohol and migraines above, you might still have some questions about the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and migraine. Keeping track of what you drink, what other migraine triggers you where exposed to (such as stress, jetlag, sleep lack etc.) and when you get a migraine can help. Knowing these triggers helps people with migraine manage their condition better. It can lead to a better quality of life and slightly higher alcohol tolerance. It’s important to identify these triggers to manage migraine better.

We hypothesized that migraine sufferers are more susceptible to specific aspects of the hangover symptomatology complex, namely those that are similar to the migraine attack. Whether or not alcohol is a common migraine headache trigger is debatable. While some people may experience migraine headaches after drinking alcohol, others may not. If you notice consistent patterns, then chances are it’s the alcohol that’s causing your migraine headache. You may try avoiding those drinks in the future to prevent migraine attacks. People who get migraine attacks during or after drinking should consider reducing or eliminating alcohol.

• There are also the side effects of drinking that might be to blame.
• For example, a tension headache may cause pain in the neck or shoulders.
• However, not all whole plant foods are protective, so the study included an elimination period to remove corn, wheat, and nuts from the volunteers’ diets.
• While alcohol hangover is a common disorder,10 causing suffering and disability to millions worldwide, there is no direct way to measure it.
• A 2019 study recognized alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger factor for people with migraine.
• In this study we focused on the role of alcohol as a potential trigger of migraine attacks within 24–48 h after consumption.
• Consider joining our Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine.

Alcohol impacts your intestines’ ability to absorb certain nutrients, leading to shortfalls in zinc, selenium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. Information and resources shared by FRN are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any type of disease or condition. Reviews and testimonials of specific diets and approaches to health represent individual experiences and FRN does not guarantee any specific results from these approaches for your specific situation. This Berry Delicious Omega-3 Smoothie Bowl isn’t just a refreshing treat. It’s packed with brain-boosting ingredients that may help prevent migraines! Blueberries and strawberries provide powerful antioxidants, while hemp seeds, flax meal, walnuts, and chia seeds deliver a rich dose of omega-3s.

If a doctor has prescribed medication for your chronic migraine and you choose to move forward with that line of treatment, follow instructions carefully. 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. Having a strong network of people who validate your experience and support you on the good days and bad is so valuable when you live with an invisible illness like migraine. If you’re interested in connecting with more people in the migraine community, we recommend joining our Facebook support group, Move Against Migraine.

“It may also cause side effects like photosensitivity, hallucinations and agitation, all of which are already common among people with migraines,” she emphasizes. For these reasons, she says it’s best to avoid using St. John’s wort if you experience migraines regularly. If you’ve been diagnosed with migraine and you have questions about drinking alcohol or anything else related to the condition, it can help to talk to others who understand. Your trusted professionals are your best resource for getting medical advice when it comes to limiting the negative effects alcohol has on you, your life, and your migraine. People with migraine who treat their attacks with certain drugs should avoid drinking alcohol because it may interact poorly or dangerously with their medications. When mixed with alcohol, the common migraine medication Topamax (topiramate) can cause dizziness, problems with memory, sleepiness, and even depression.