Figure 1 shows the results of the predicted probabilities (median and 95% CI) of migraine attack for each of the 487 individuals. Results of the logistic regression models of the log odds of migraine attack in relation to alcohol consumption. These clear liquors are less likely to trigger migraines than their darker counterparts. If you do drink vodka or gin, be sure to avoid any sugary mixers as they can also trigger headaches.
When an Alcohol-Induced Headache Strikes
For help finding a healthcare provider, check out our Find a Doctor tool. People who get hangovers that trigger a migraine may wish to avoid alcohol with high levels of congeners. These are substances that the alcohol manufacturing process produces.
- Or you might be fine until after your blood alcohol level returns to normal.
- If you aren’t sure that alcohol is to blame for your headaches, try keeping a diary.
- There is even some debate about whether alcohol itself or another chemical component in alcoholic drinks acts as the trigger.
- Another type of attack is called the delayed alcohol induced headache and will usually appear the next day.
- These may include experiencing an ‘aura’ as a warning symptom that a migraine is coming on – this might mean experiencing disturbed vision – such as seeing spots or zig-zag lines.
Associated Data
This is the restorative stage of sleep and when it is disrupted, it can cause drowsiness during the day, and lead to other migraine symptoms. Avoiding alcohol isn’t the only way to avoid an alcohol-related migraine headache. There are some health benefits to moderate alcohol consumption, but the key is knowing what types of alcohol cause your headaches, in what amounts, and what other factors might be involved. About two-thirds of people who drink alcohol develop these headaches. People who suffer from migraine are more prone to these reactions — even after drinking less alcohol than people who don’t get migraine headaches. Early effects of alcohol can dull sensations and have an analgesic effect, but as alcohol leaves the body it can have the opposite effect and actually increase sensitivity to pain.
If you develop a cocktail headache, stop drinking alcohol and go someplace where you can rest comfortably. Drink lots of water to rehydrate your body and help flush the alcohol from your system. A sports drink with electrolytes is also helpful for this purpose. Red wine is the type of alcohol most often reported as a headache trigger. Tannin, a component in red wine, has been long considered the culprit.
We recommend exploring complementary treatments such as biofeedback, green light therapy and solution-focused therapy worksheets pdf aerobic exercise. Learn how these common therapies can help you manage migraine. If your support system is lacking, consider joining a support group. Finding a community of people who understand exactly what you’re going through is like being welcomed home after a long, tiring day.
How to Get Rid of a Cocktail Headache
Researchers don’t know exactly what causes alcohol-induced migraine attacks. While in some cases it is likely the presence of alcohol itself, it is also possible that specific components of different alcoholic drinks act as triggers. Much like food triggers for migraine, people may have a higher sensitivity to certain organic components commonly found in alcoholic drinks. Brandy, red wine, and rum have the highest levels of congeners, while gin and vodka contain fewer of these chemicals.
If you’re prone to migraine attacks, it’s wise to avoid alcoholic beverages altogether. However, if you do drink, be sure to do so in moderation and stay hydrated. Some common symptoms are a severe headache, vertigo attack or stroke like symptoms that can last for hours or even days. Migraine sufferers may also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound among other symptoms. To understand more about the symptoms experienced with migraine attacks, read our articles on vestibular migraine or different types of headaches. If you suffer from migraines, you may find that drinking alcohol can trigger an episode.
For more information on alternative migraine treatments, visit our Resource Library. Consider joining our Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine. Relaxation techniques may help ease stress-related migraines, and they may make migraine episodes feel less severe when they happen. Keep reading games for substance abuse groups to learn more about the connection between migraine and headache. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
How can you prevent getting a migraine headache from alcohol?
But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, you’ll need to be careful about how much you drink. A 5-ounce glass of wine (or 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot) may be OK every now and then, so long as it doesn’t bring on a headache. If it does, you’ll need to drink less or stay away from all alcohol.
Can Alcohol Trigger Migraine Headaches?
Generally, these clear alcohols are highly distilled and have almost no leftover congeners from the beginning fermentation process. While alcohol can help you feel sleepy and induce sleep, it tends to interfere with sleep in the later stages of the evening. Find out why, and what you can do to avoid alcohol-related migraines. We recommend taking a look at our patient guides, which include useful information like how to talk to your doctor about migraine. You might have tried some alternative therapies, but did you know about these complementary and integrative treatments?
Migraine is a disabling disease that no one should have to go through alone. It’s essential to build a support network of understanding people who can not only check in on you during an attack but also empathize with your experience. Then consider joining the Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine. This includes being careful about the amount of alcohol you consume and paying attention to how and when your migraine symptoms flare up in relation to drinking.
For some people, it could be the amount of alcohol consumed that triggers an attack. For example, wine may be a trigger for some but whiskey may not have an influence. However, if you still experience a migraine attack after drinking any kind of alcohol, the best solution is to avoid alcohol altogether. A 2019 study surveyed people with migraine who drank alcohol. Of the 1,547 participants, 783 said that alcohol was a trigger, and 195 were not sure. People who experienced migraine with alcohol were more likely to have migraine with aura and to experience more migraine days and more frequent attacks.
The type of grape, as well as the length of fermentation, will affect the final product. Bourbon and whiskey both have more congeners because they are less heavily distilled which preserves the congeners from the fermented mash. This could be a reason why they may not be the best choice for the migraine-prone. This will be helpful in guiding conversations with your doctor about your symptoms.
Additionally, does water flush alcohol out of urine 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.
