Alcohol-Induced Migraine: Causes, Prevention, Treatment, and More

This Berry Delicious Omega-3 Smoothie Bowl isn’t just a refreshing treat. It’s packed with brain-boosting ingredients that may help prevent migraines! Blueberries and strawberries provide powerful antioxidants, while hemp seeds, flax meal, walnuts, and chia seeds deliver a rich dose of omega-3s.

Here is the advice of one wine expert

While some research shows that the correlation between migraines and and headaches might be weaker than once stated, roughly 30% of people who experience migraines report alcohol as a trigger. Red wine is the type of alcohol most often reported as a headache trigger. In a study published in 2018, 77.8% of patients reported red wine as a trigger in general, with 8.8% of patients noting it as a consistent trigger.

  • Quitting alcohol can prevent anxiety and give you the space to develop healthy means of managing your condition.
  • Oftentimes individuals with migraine give up trying to identify which of the multiple potential triggers reported in population‐level analyses may apply to them.
  • You can try sips (or other small amounts) of different types of alcohol to see how your migraine reacts.

Alcohol: A Trigger for Headaches and Migraines

  • Trying to avoid migraine triggers is one of the only surefire ways to avoid migraine symptoms.
  • Alcohol intoxication impacts self-control, making you more impulsive.
  • Drinking floods the brain with the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which contributes to feelings of short-term relaxation.
  • Unfortunately, people who suffer from them are advised to rely on medications that offer limited relief and come with unwanted side effects.

People with migraine are more likely to have this type of reaction to migraine than those without. Usually, the effects of an alcohol-triggered migraine attack will happen within 30 minutes to 3 hours. Tannins are another compound that can cause problems for people with migraine. They’re found in both red and white wine, but they’re more concentrated in reds. Tannins give wine its astringent taste, and they can also contribute to headaches. Tannins can be found in other drinks including, tea, coffee and chocolate.

Understanding Stress “Let Down” Migraine Attacks and How to Manage Them

The bubbles increase the pressure in your stomach, which forces alcohol out through your stomach’s lining and into your bloodstream for faster absorption. Look for white wine that is not too sweet and a little on the dry side. Pinot Grigio, chardonnay or can alcohol cause migraines sauvignon blanc would be a good place to start and are generally easy to find. While alcohol can help you feel sleepy and induce sleep, it tends to interfere with sleep in the later stages of the evening. Headaches, including migraine, are treatable with the right combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments. Anxiety related to poor food choices especially arise if you’re trying to improve your diet or make lifestyle changes.

However, these individuals were not more vulnerable to other hangover symptoms. Once it gets into your system, it is converted into a chemical that triggers migraine. If you have persistent vomiting, lightheadedness, confusion, seizures, trouble breathing, and dulled responses (among other symptoms), seek immediate medical attention — as these may be signs of alcohol poisoning. It’s important to note that alcohol use disorder is a serious illness that can have life-threatening consequences. It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your alcohol use. Kimberly Goad is a New York-based journalist who has covered health for some of the nation’s top consumer publications.

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Keep reading to learn more about the connection between migraine and alcohol.

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