Alcohol consumption and hangover patterns among migraine sufferers

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. While a hangover headache can happen to anyone (usually the morning after drinking too much alcohol), people who experience migraines are more susceptible. If you have chronic headaches, identifying and avoiding your triggers can substantially improve your quality of life. To determine if drinking (which may have a weaker correlation with migraines than previously thought) is one of yours, it’s helpful to learn the signs of alcohol-induced headaches.

Statistical analysis

First of all, the existing studies present data in a heterogeneous way, which may have led to inaccurate results, and do not provide an exhaustive array of information. Information on the gender of participants was unavailable for analysis. So, the question of who is drinking more with a primary headache is still to be addressed. Additionally, only a few of the studies divided participants into migraine with and without aura. Therefore, there was insufficient data to analyze the relationship between alcohol and aura, and the data that does exist is inconsistent 65, 86.

Wine

• This period, known as acute withdrawal, usually lasts 7-14 days.
• Read on for answers to common questions about alcohol and migraine.
• She is a co-founder of digital content agency Lemonseed Creative and is a graduate of Syracuse University.
• Compounding matters, many people who report having a migraine attack after an alcoholic drink (or drinks) say an episode is not a given every time they raise a glass.
• This is because prolonged alcohol consumption alters neurotransmitter levels in the brain, particularly affecting gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is commonly referred to as GABA, as well as glutamate.

When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, the ethanol is quickly absorbed in the stomach. The ethanol then moves into the bloodstream, into the brain’s nerve cells, and throughout the body, especially the liver. Similarly, a 2019 study investigating the differences in clinical features of cluster headaches between 131 drinkers and nondrinkers in Japan discovered that alcohol triggered a cluster headache in 57% of participants. However, more recent research indicates no relationship between tension type headaches and alcohol consumption.

• When these symptoms pass you might assume your migraine attack has completely gone, but you can actually still be experiencing it for hours or even days more.
• Red wine can also cause a rise in the level of a type of brain chemical called serotonin (5-HT) in the blood.8 This has been linked to migraine headaches, though once again, the relationship is poorly understood.
• If you’re a migraine sufferer, you’ll likely be well versed in noting down any and all headache triggers.
• Bars and restaurants are also good these days about having mocktails on their menu or being willing to make you one even if it’s not on the menu.

Should You Take Your Acute Medications Before a Trigger?

The investigators even found a slightly lower probability Sober living house of a migraine attack on the second day after alcohol consumption. Whether alcohol acts as a trigger is really a case-by-case basis for people with migraine. For some people, it could be the amount of alcohol consumed that triggers an attack.

Study population

Dependency on alcohol doesn’t only impact those struggling with addiction. It also impacts their families and communities and puts an added burden on the healthcare system. Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive migraine after drinking alcohol drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.