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 why does alcohol give me a migraine drinks. Alcohol-induced migraine attacks can come on quickly after alcohol consumption, within minutes to hours. People with migraine are also more likely to experience a headache the morning after drinking. In this blog, we answer some common questions about alcohol and migraine.
Other histamine-laden foods may also be triggers
- 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.
- In a 2007 study, Austrian researchers examined a number of factors related to migraine, specifically considering consumption of alcohol and other nutritional factors the day before the onset of a headache.
- Research from 2014 also concluded that wine — especially red wine — is a very common migraine trigger compared to other alcohols.
- A chemical called N-acetyl-cysteine may be useful in detoxifying the body from acetaldehyde buildup, but this too is an unproven treatment.
A second explanation for the results presented in our meta-analysis might encompass a certain protective role of alcohol with regards to migraine. However, according to this idea, populations with higher migraine prevalence should have lower alcohol consumption. For example, due to religious requirements, people in Iran consume considerably less alcohol than Europeans [22, 84]; nevertheless, migraine prevalence in Iran is 15.1% [85] while in Europe it is 35% [86]. In Europe, alcohol consumption is higher than in Asian countries, but in Europe alcohol as a trigger is reported more frequently than it is in Asia [87]. Therefore, this hypothesis seems a less likely explanation for our results.
Here is the advice of one wine expert
Additionally, patients and physicians should consider the latest medical knowledge to avoid perpetuating the myths about alcohol consumption and primary headaches. Additionally, it would be useful to check whether migraine patients enjoy the advantages or disadvantages of less drinking. The exact mechanism behind this observation may indicate that migraine leads to alcohol-avoidance, rather than alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-taper-off-alcohol/ having any protective role against migraine. However, further studies related to primary headaches and alcohol consumption with low risk of bias are required. Additionally, patients and physicians should consider the latest medical data, in order to avoid the myths about alcohol consumption and primary headaches. After using the above key terms, 1,892 articles were identified in the three databases.
What Can You Do to Prevent an Alcohol Induced Headache?
After a night on the town, it’s easy to blame a headache on too much alcohol. But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, drinking even a small amount of alcohol can bring on an attack. If you have a pounding headache the next morning, it’s likely a hangover and not a migraine caused by red wine. Since red wine has more tannins than white wine, tannins are a commonly called-out culprit for those fateful migraine episodes.
Other red wine headache triggers
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. Still, they can cause serious health risks for many people.
How does alcohol affect the brain and the rest of the body?
- Explore these Frequently Asked Questions about migraine symptoms to see if you might be experiencing migraine.
- Although it’s unlikely that you’d feel like it, it’s best not to drink any alcohol while you’re experiencing a migraine attack.
- If you’re not already working with a headache doctor, use our Find a Doctor tool to find someone in your area.
- However, there is a need to conduct further studies related to primary headaches and alcohol consumption with low risk of bias.