Headache and Migraine After Alcohol Use Causes and Relief

While there marijuana addiction is some research on the reasons alcohol causes headaches, study authors have not definitively proven the link between the two. Fortunately, knowing the causes of hangovers, as well as different ways to cure a hangover, can help. There is no definitive answer to this question, as everyone experiences hangovers differently. Thankfully, there are several home remedies that can help relieve the pain. One of the best things you can do is to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Rather than using medications, there are a series of other tried-and-true headache remedies that you can access in the medical cabinet at home.

The Connection Between Alcohol and Headaches

In addition to red wine, other alcoholic beverages, including beer, white wine, and liqueur, have also been reported as headache triggers. 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.

Migraine and Head Pain After Drinking? How to Avoid Aggravating Alcohol Headaches

• This makes you susceptible to diseases because your body loses the ability to fight off infections.
• One or two drinks with food and water over time might be safe for you, but three or more will produce a hangover headache for many people.
• High alcohol and congener content of alcoholic drinks can increase the chance of developing a headache after drinking.

Drinking too much can trigger migraines, and possibly other types of headaches—such as cluster headaches and tension headaches—in people who are already susceptible to these issues. Such headaches can occur while you are drinking, or a few hours after—even if you’ve had as little as one drink. Experiencing a headache after consuming even just one drink can occur in some individuals, although it’s not considered normal for headache from drinking alcohol everyone. The type of alcohol does not seem to affect whether a person gets a headache.

What causes headaches after drinking alcohol?

Having a doctor’s help is important to safely handle alcohol withdrawal and deal with headaches, which can make recovery harder and more uncomfortable. A 2022 study in people with migraine, however, found that drinking alcohol didn’t affect the probability of a migraine attack 24 hours after drinking. People prone to migraines tend to have more problems with hangovers. Conversely, there are many medications that interfere with the breakdown of alcohol and acetaldehyde, worsening the consequences of drinking.

• While a hangover headache can happen to anyone (usually the morning after drinking too much alcohol), people who experience migraines are more susceptible.
• In addition, relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can also be helpful.
• Hangovers can last up to 72 hours after drinking, but most are shorter in duration.
• Understanding these interconnected physiological and neurological mechanisms provides insights into why headaches are a prevalent symptom during alcohol withdrawal.
• There are some other factors you can look at, too, when you’re trying to figure out if you’re dealing with a hangover headache as opposed to a headache that’s caused by something else.

Additionally, some individuals may have sensitivities to certain ingredients in alcohol that trigger headaches. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to lose more water than it takes in. This loss of fluids can lead to dehydration, which is a well-known trigger for headaches.

Mental Health Resources

While most non-alcoholic beers have less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, some brands may have slightly more. There are a few reasons why you might feel buzzed after drinking a non-alcoholic beer. This will help to rehydrate your body and ease any dehydration that may be contributing to your headache.

• In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cookie and spending time with his wife, children and three dogs.
• Although any type of alcohol can trigger a migraine, people who experience regular migraine attacks cite red wine as the most frequent culprit.
• These substances can exacerbate hangover symptoms, including headaches.
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• People prone to migraines tend to have more problems with hangovers.

The brain adapts to chronic alcohol exposure by adjusting the function of alcohol in the brain. Those who drink a lot can drink more without feeling the immediate effects of drunkenness. However, this is actually a negative sign that could indicate dependency. After tolerance is developed, once alcohol is removed, the brain experiences what is called hyperexcitability. Headaches are a common consequence of this altered neurological state. It is common for the symptoms of withdrawal to become more severe over time until you are able to fully detox from alcohol and end the withdrawal process.

Home Remedies for Headaches Caused by Non-Alcoholic Beer

This chemical is a vasodilator, which increases the size of blood vessels in the body. This article will explore the relationship between alcohol and headache and consider why some people develop an alcohol headache after one drink. Migraines and their triggers are very individual – what affects one person may cause no problems for the next. Many migraine sufferers find that keeping a diary helps them identify their own personal triggers and understand their patterns of migraines better. Find out why, and what you can do to avoid alcohol-related migraines.

• Again it depends on how much was consumed, how dehydrated you became, nutritional status, ethnicity, gender, the state of your liver, medications, etc.
• Among people who find alcohol can trigger a migraine, most find that any alcoholic drink can trigger one, but others may find that particular drinks are more of a problem.
• And in cases of prolonged alcohol withdrawal, it is imperative to stay under medical detox care.
• In addition to medications, there are several alternative treatments that can be used to help reduce the severity of headaches.
• Alcoholic drinks also contain chemicals called congeners, which may also trigger migraine headaches in certain people.
• But the only guaranteed way to prevent a hangover is to not drink alcohol.

How little is enough to make an impact the next day?

He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. With extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, Francisco is dedicated to helping individuals access the resources they need for successful recovery. Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or make a hangover worse. But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning. If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning — even if you don’t see the classic symptoms — get medical help right away.