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. Drinking alcohol is a trigger for migraine in some people – one study found around a third (33%) of people who get migraines are sensitive to alcohol.4 Others react to hunger, or certain foods. If you suffer from migraines, you will learn to recognise which particular symptoms affect you.
Migraine symptoms
She is a co-founder of digital content agency Lemonseed Creative and is a graduate of Syracuse University. Read on for answers to common questions about alcohol and migraine. He also recommends speaking with a doctor before mixing triptans with alcohol or other drugs. The only alcohol I can alcohol cause migraines can have is a wee bit of Irish whiskey in decaf ☕️.
Whether Alcohol Is a Migraine Trigger
A study of over 20,000 participants found that light exertion — without sweating or getting out of breath — was most beneficial for migraine relief. We know that migraines involve multiple nervous system components, including the peripheral and central nervous systems. The working theory is that their origin lies in some kind of neuronal impairment that causes inflammatory signals in the brain, similar to what happens with epilepsy.
Migraine and Head Pain After Drinking? How to Avoid Aggravating Alcohol Headaches
Many people believe that alcohol (particularly red wine) is a major trigger of migraine-related headaches — but the effect may not be quite as strong as most people think. Since the research on alcohol as a migraine trigger is limited, and everyone’s body metabolizes foods and drinks differently, it can be helpful to tune into what yours is telling you. A 2023 review indicated that the risk of migraine in people who drink alcohol is about 1.5 times lower than in those who don’t, though the studies reviewed had a high amount of bias.
How to avoid or treat alcohol-related headaches
- Consult with your health care team before trying an elimination diet, as it is not meant to be a long-term solution.
- The study also found that it was the ethanol consumption that was responsible for a majority of the hangover symptoms.
- While medication can provide some relief for migraines, many people are discovering the benefits of a more holistic and natural approach to managing migraines.
- This awareness can lead you to make healthier choices and foster a deeper understanding of how alcohol affects your well-being.
The data did not suggest a significant link between consuming alcohol and a migraine attack within 24 hours. The role of alcohol in triggering migraine attacks is unclear, and the research is limited. Headaches and migraines are both types of painful sensations in the head, but they have distinct characteristics and underlying causes.