Why You Get a Headache After One Drink

Light sensitivity is a common symptom of migraine (as is sensitivity to sounds or smells), but not everyone who has the disease will experience it. If you think you may have migraine, these answers to common questions can help you further investigate this possibility with a doctor. Nausea and/or vomiting is just one of many symptoms a person living with migraine might experience. No matter what you call it—a headache journal, migraine diary, headache tracker—keeping track of your symptoms can be a versatile tool to help better manage your health.

Alcohol is a common trigger for migraines

People who suffer with cluster headaches are particularly sensitive to dark beers, according to Dr. Aurora. “The first is the immediate alcohol-induced headache, which typically occurs between 30 minutes and three hours after consuming alcohol, once it is fully absorbed in the bloodstream,” Dr. Crystal explains. “Having lived with migraine since age 2, today we are living in an amazing time for advances in migraine treatment. Explore these Frequently Asked Questions about migraine symptoms to see if you might be experiencing migraine. Identify other symptoms of migraine and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions to help you start the conversation about migraine with your primary care provider. Learn more about migraine symptoms in our Frequently Asked Questions to see if you may be living with migraine.

• Yet, a 2016 study pointed out that estimates vary and the reason that alcohol use might trigger migraine episodes is still unclear.
• This variability is attributed to our individual genetic makeup, lifestyle factors, and the type of alcohol consumed.
• Learn how these common therapies can help you manage migraine.
• “Red wine is largely believed to be a common cause of migraine and has not been observed clinically to help with it,” Pontinen said.
• Dr. Green cautions, however, that stopping drinking may not resolve the entire problem.
• These headaches can be immediate or delayed.

What You’ll Learn

• Sleep renews and repairs all parts of the body—including the brain—so it makes sense that when your sleep schedule becomes irregular, you are more prone to migraine attacks.
• The role of alcohol in triggering migraine attacks is unclear, and the research is limited.
• Did you know that 20% of women say they avoid pregnancy because of migraine?
• It’s important to work with your obstetrician and your headache doctor when you have migraine to establish a safe treatment plan.
• The authors are now studying other factors and behaviors, including stress, anxiety, and sleep, that may affect the association between alcohol intake and migraine onset to better understand the clinical implications of their combined effects.

What conditions are comorbid with migraine and how to treat them Comorbidity is defined as the presence of two or more chronic medical conditions Reviewed for accuracy by the American Migraine Foundation’s subject matter experts, headache specialists and medical advisers with deep knowledge and training in headache medicine. If you need help finding a doctor, use the American Migraine Foundation’s doctor database. You should work with your doctor to learn how to come off certain medications, such as opioids or butalbital-containing medications, safely.

“The second type is the delayed kind, which occurs five to 12 hours after alcohol consumption, also known as a hangover. June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM), which is a great opportunity for communities to spread awareness about suffering from headaches and migraine. While migraine is a common disease that affects 39 million Americans, no two migraine experiences are the same.

How long will a cocktail headache last?

While some people may experience migraines after a single sip, others may find that alcohol triggers migraines only during vulnerable periods, such as hormonal changes, stress, or weather fluctuations. This can help individuals understand their patterns of migraines and make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption to minimize the impact of triggers. Here’s what to know about preventing migraine attacks when also drinking alcohol, plus how to treat one if it’s too late.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your “cocktail headache” plan. The best way to deal with a cocktail headache is to prevent it. Be cautious, as combining them with alcohol can lead to stomach bleeding. A headache that sets in the next day is a symptom of a hangover. Are you ready to feel drug overdose death rates national institute on drug abuse nida empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.

Individual sensitivity, brain receptors, and genes may influence reactions

But for some reason red wine does me in. An older 2014 study compared 95 people with migraine with 597 people without migraine. These headaches can be immediate or delayed. But what about the idea that alcohol might soothe or even reduce migraine episodes? Just like no two people are alike, different types of alcohol have distinct chemical makeup and effects on the body. Rosen was a co-author of a small 2022 study of 487 people who mostly drank alcohol in low amounts.

Content Types

Mounting evidence suggests there may be a connection between migraine and mental health. There, you will find a wonderful community of people who are ready to listen and lift each other up. Our Move Against Migraine support group is a place for you to connect with others (via Facebook) who live with migraine to exchange stories and find community and support. Finding a community of people who understand exactly what you’re going through is like being welcomed home after a long, tiring day. Then consider joining the Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine.

Red wine has been frequently cited as the most common culprit for triggering migraines. If you suffer from migraines triggered by alcohol, it is important to identify your specific triggers and consider reducing or eliminating alcohol. This can lead to dehydration, which is a common trigger for migraines. While the mechanism for alcohol triggering migraines remains uncertain, dehydration caused by alcohol is one of the factors that can lead to migraines. Research shows that around one-third of people living with migraines report alcohol as a trigger, at least occasionally.

For more information on the various migraine triggers and how to manage them, visit the American Migraine Foundation resource library, or contact us directly. Sometimes an attack can be stopped in its tracks by simply drinking a glass of water. Many people also adopt a migraine diet that eliminates foods and ingredients known to trigger a migraine. High humidity and heat can easily lead to dehydration, another common trigger.

Drinking plenty of water jim carrey fas before having a drink should also help ward a cocktail headache off. If alcohol only occasionally causes you a headache, then moderation or striking that balance (as opposed to abstinence), may be a more reasonable approach. Before you have a drink, consider if it’s worth the potential headache and how it might affect your celebration or holiday. Rehydrate by drinking plenty of water and consider a sports drink with electrolytes. The type of alcohol does not seem to affect whether a person gets a headache. The evidence for tension headaches is less robust.

Alcohol — especially dark drinks such as red wine and whiskey — contain chemicals known as congeners, which can set off migraines for some of us. Drinking in moderation, staying hydrated, and keeping a migraine diary to identify your specific triggers contingency plan example can all help reduce the impact of alcohol on your migraines. Red wine is frequently cited as the most common culprit for triggering migraines. Alcohol is a common trigger for migraines, and it only takes a small amount to cause a migraine headache.

Alcohol-induced migraine is different than a hangover, which is caused by overconsuming alcohol. Dark liquors and red wines may be particularly harmful due to their sugar, sulfate, tannin, and histamine content. It’s unlikely that wine helps with migraine.

Research studies have shown that alcohol can, indeed, act as a migraine trigger for some people. When we think about migraines, we often picture intense, throbbing headaches. Monitoring your alcohol intake can help minimize the impact of triggers. Additionally, individuals can discuss treatment options with a doctor, including migraine prevention medications such as topiramate (Topamax), divalproex (Depakote), propranolol (Inderal), or CGRP inhibitors. Keeping a migraine diary can be a helpful tool for identifying personal triggers and understanding migraine patterns.

The American Migraine Foundation’s Guide to Migraine Triggers & How to Manage Them

There are also behavioral treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help. Our Resource Library is another great place to find information on these treatments. Don’t give up on your search to find an integrative treatment that works for you. We recommend exploring complementary treatments such as biofeedback, green light therapy and aerobic exercise.

“However, if you start to feel symptoms of a migraine attack, it’s best to stop consuming alcohol, even if you have taken your medication.” Understanding ways to treat an alcohol-induced migraine attack already in progress and prevent one altogether can be empowering. The results indicated people with migraine had higher chances of having hangover symptoms similar to those they experienced during episodes.

“Fill your fridge with non-alcoholic drinks, get yourself your favorite treats. That’s likely because there are other underlying migraine triggers, such as certain foods, caffeine, fluctuating hormones, and stress. We asked these experts what a person who struggles with migraine would expect if they stopped drinking, and the answers were varied.