Why Do I Get a Headache Every Time I Drink Alcohol?

This seesaw pattern of blood flow can trigger a headache and adds to the vasodilation that alcohol causes on its own. The most common type of headache caused by alcohol is the delayed headache, which is seen to occur around 12 hours after drinking alcohol. While similar symptoms to the immediate headache are experienced, this type of headache is usually a more dull, throbbing pain. Dehydration, a misbalance of essential nutrients and body water becomes inevitable. This ends up affecting fluids that surround the brain thus resulting in decreased blood flow and blood pressure to the brain by widening the blood vessels that lead to the brain. In effect, these changes Sober living house result in sensitivity and pain thus causing headaches.

How is a migraine hangover treated?

While red wine has been described as a dominant trigger of migraines and cluster headaches, white wine, champagne, sparkling wines, and beer have also been linked to headaches. Quantity is definitely a factor in whether drinking alcohol will trigger a headache, and the quality of alcohol probably plays a role as well. We do not know for sure, though, how any specific type of alcoholic beverage will affect people with migraine.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

They can cause intense throbbing on one side of your head as well as sensitivity to smells, lights, and sounds. Without treatment, a migraine episode can last up to 72 hours. Limiting the amount of alcohol consumed can reduce the likelihood of experiencing palpitations. Here at UKAT, we specialise in comprehensive treatment programmes for alcohol and substance addiction.

Many individuals who experience migraines are constantly seeking ways to manage and prevent them. One area of interest is the potential connection between soda consumption and migraine attacks. The treatment for heart palpitations depends on their cause, and often, they do not need any treatment (18). To prevent palpitations, it’s best to either stop drinking alcohol or moderate your alcohol intake (7, 15).

• A cold washcloth or ice pack can help ease some of your head pain.
• On top of wrecking your sleep, alcohol sends your blood sugar on a wild ride.
• The severity of your headache depends on the type of alcoholic drink you consume.
• In later sections of this article, we’ll look at why certain specific alcohols are more prone to cause post-drinking headaches.

Some individuals experience migraines as a result of caffeine withdrawal or rebound headaches. When consumed in moderation, tyramine poses pounding headache after drinking no significant health risks to most people. However, in excessive amounts or in individuals with specific sensitivities, it can lead to what is known as a tyramine headache. Tyramine prompts the release of norepinephrine, which results in vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain. This constriction can cause an initial decrease in blood flow, and the body’s response to restore normal blood flow can lead to overcompensation, causing a rebound vasodilation.

Alcohol and heart health: The risks

The best https://ecosoberhouse.com/ way to manage the condition is to limit alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether. Choosing drinks that are low in sulfites and other preservatives, staying hydrated, and consuming alcohol with a meal can also help reduce symptoms. If you experience symptoms of alcohol intolerance or are unsure if you have an intolerance or allergy, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.

Our body is trying to regain balance — an unfortunate aftermath of drinking. High alcohol and congener content of alcoholic drinks can increase the chance of developing a headache after drinking. People prone to headaches may have a higher risk of experiencing alcohol-related headaches. While there’s no sure-fire cure for hangover headaches, there are measures we can take to ease the pain and speed up recovery. So, the next time we raise our glasses, let’s also raise a toast to responsible drinking and the joy of waking up hangover-free. Life is much more enjoyable without the drum of a headache beating in our heads.

Take Some Painkillers

• Migraine Again follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.
• Congeners are much more likely to result in hangover symptoms, including headaches.
• When you sip a cocktail, your liver kicks into high gear to break down the alcohol, but this process creates a particularly nasty byproduct called acetaldehyde.
• Food intake significantly influences alcohol absorption and metabolism.
• Alcohol, whether consumed gradually over time or in large amounts, can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm (2, 13).

Regularly monitor and manage conditions such as thyroid disorders, anxiety, and heart disease. The first step towards confronting alcoholism is acknowledging that you have an alcohol problem, as well as the toll it may be taking on your life. Once you’ve reached this important milestone, talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a counselor who can help recommend treatment for alcohol dependence. Because alcohol’s a diuretic — it causes your body to increase how much urine it produces. This makes you lose fluids and electrolytes at a faster rate, so you’ll get dehydrated much more quickly.

• Towards the end of my drinking days, I could barely tolerate beer, which I used to love.
• Just like food triggers, alcohol headache triggers are individual, varying from person to person.
• Your liver is already working in overdrive to process the alcohol, and adding acetaminophen to the mix puts it under serious strain, increasing your risk of severe liver damage.
• If you experience severe headaches after drinking alcohol, it is advisable to avoid alcohol altogether.
• The second part of this is to listen to your body and use your past experiences as a reference.

Alcohol intolerance

Studies show that more than 80% of people who experience migraine attack have migraine hangovers. Keeping a migraine diary can be helpful in identifying triggers, including soda intake. Recording the frequency, timing, and amount of soda consumed alongside any migraine symptoms can provide insights into the potential correlation between soda and migraines. In addition to caffeine, artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas have also been identified as potential migraine triggers.

Community Support and Shared Experiences

The short-term effects of alcohol usually manifest in the form of a hangover. Of course, the best way to avoid an alcohol-induced headache is to avoid alcohol completely – but we know this isn’t always possible. If you are struggling with how much alcohol you consume, cutting it out altogether may not be the best idea.

As physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms present themselves, our staff are on hand to give you the support you need. Our programmes guide you toward lasting recovery with evidence-based therapies that help you recognise and decrease cravings and urges. Taking preventative measures is the best way to stop a hangover headache before it ever starts. Ethanol’s diuretic effects can also quickly dehydrate you, and a headache is just one of many symptoms of dehydration. Or, try drinking water both before and after you have alcohol.