Granted, some headaches, like migraine, can be triggered or exacerbated by drinking alcohol, but the throughline is blurry. As you may recall, any kind of alcohol will eventually dehydrate you. Dehydration is one of the reasons why you get a headache after drinking. If your body already lacks the optimal amount of fluids for your body, the headache will come on a lot faster. Self-medicating with alcohol only creates an unhealthy cycle that can be hard to break, and leads to can alcohol cause migraines even more health issues in the long-term.
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With the huge focus on organic foods and what we all eat, there should be as much attention put on what we drink. Alcohol is embedded in our society, and it is difficult to be in a public space without seeing a reference to alcohol or being offered a drink. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase.
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- Dehydration causes brain cells to contract temporarily, also resulting in headaches.
- This chemical is a vasodilator, which increases the size of blood vessels in the body.
- Is your loved one showing symptoms like headaches due to alcohol?
- Migraine.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
This contributes greatly to dehydration, which is the cause of your alcohol-induced headache. An alcohol-induced headache may fall into many categories and whilst they are painful and unpleasant, there are things that can be done to relieve the symptoms. Alcohol-induced headaches are not only subject to those who have a history of misuse or abuse of alcohol. These types of headaches can strike anyone, of any age and background.
On the Liver
By taking these factors into consideration, individuals can make informed choices about their alcohol consumption to minimize the risk of developing alcohol-induced headaches. While you may be surprised that we’re not advising you to avoid hard liquor. Drinking beer all night will likely ruin your chances of even entertaining the idea of hydrating in between drinks. Drinking beer makes you feel too full to feel like you have room for water, setting you up for failure right from the beginning. So, if you’re in a situation where you know you’re going to end up drinking the night away, consider switching to something else so you don’t wake up with a wicked headache the next day.
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- There is a significant overlap between anxiety, alcohol misuse, and alcohol use disorder.
- One half of your face might droop, one arm might suddenly become immobile and your speech might be slurred.
- This article explains why hangover headaches occur, especially in people with underlying migraine disorders.
- It is widely reported that red wine is the worst culprit for causing an alcohol-induced headache, with white wine being not too far behind in second place.
As you drink alcohol, your stomach absorbs about 20 percent of this ethanol while your small intestine absorbs the rest. From the small intestine, ethanol travels into the bloodstream and throughout your body, including your brain. For example, drinking even a small amount of alcohol decreases sleep quality. Sleep deprivation can cause negative effects such as increased blood pressure or gastrointestinal discomfort. Migraine typically begins slowly and may increase in severity if left untreated. They involve throbbing pain that generally occurs on one side of the head.
The most effective way to avoid a hangover headache is to avoid drinking, or avoid drinking in excess. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and staying hydrated may help get rid of a hangover headache. Gaining a greater understanding of these headaches can be key in battling them.
These headaches make your head feel like someone is pounding on it like a drum. While there are home remedies and treatments for a hangover headache, prevention is always better than trying to cure it. However, if you can’t avoid alcohol, remember to drink in moderation.
But a recent review suggests that ensuring you’re adequately hydrated and gradually warm-up to your desired exercise intensity can make them less likely to occur. Some research has shown that dehydration results in increased strain during exercise. As such, dehydration might not necessarily cause the headache, but make it more likely to occur. Your brain cannot dissipate heat by sweating like the rest of your body can.