Universidade Federal do Ceará
Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica

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. Anyone who suffers from regular migraines will know how debilitating they can be, and unfortunately, alcohol can be a huge trigger for this condition. Alcohol is responsible for creating a relaxing effect on the blood vessels. In turn, this leads to more blood being able to flow into the brain, which can trigger a headache after drinking migraine.

How Can I Treat An Alcohol Induced Headache?

• There are multiple ways in which you can prevent and heal an alcohol-induced headache using natural remedies.
• We do not know for sure, though, how any specific type of alcoholic beverage will affect people with migraine.
• It’s not about having a “low tolerance”—it’s about the unique biochemical toolkit your body was born with.
• While these headaches eventually do subside, it is important to talk to a medical provider about headache triggers and develop a plan to minimize them.

Or, try drinking water both before and after you have alcohol. Have 1 cup or a 16-ounce bottle of water for every 12-ounce beer or 4- to 6-ounce cocktail you drink. Never take acetaminophen (Tylenol) when you drink or when you’re hungover. Acetaminophen makes it harder for your body to process alcohol https://www.encantesdonordeste.com.br/sober-living/halfway-house-profit-the-business-side-of-halfway/ and can damage your liver.

It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your alcohol use. Even if you are feeling nauseous, it is a good idea to eat breakfast after drinking. Choose a more nutritious breakfast over a greasy comfort meal.

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Dr. Guntipalli noted that red wine also contains histamines, which can cause vascular headaches, and this might make a hangover headache worse. Tannins, which are found in red wine, may also exacerbate a headache after drinking alcohol. Studies show that many people with migraine choose not to drink alcohol for fear that it may trigger a migraine attack. However, researchers aren’t clear on exactly how or why alcohol can impact migraine. There is even some debate about whether alcohol itself or another chemical component in alcoholic drinks acts as the trigger.

Drinking coffee without adequate hydration can worsen dehydration and increase the risk of headaches. It is essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when consuming coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and consider increasing this amount if you are physically active or live in a hot climate. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can range from mild to severe and are often accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

• We recommend taking a look at our patient guides, which include useful information like how to talk to your doctor about migraine.
• Acetaminophen is toxic to the liver, compounding alcohol’s effect on the organ.
• Alcohol is a diuretic, causing increased urination which can lead to dehydration.
• Caffeine can be a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to hangovers.
• But there are things you can do, like staying hydrated, that can relieve the symptoms.

How do I treat a hangover?

A person should avoid acetaminophen as it can worsen the effects of alcohol on the liver. A person should take ibuprofen or aspirin with caution as they could irritate the lining of the stomach. Alcohol makes people need to urinate because it suppresses the release of a hormone called vasopressin.

Why Do You Get Headache After Drinking?

The study also suggested that heart rate increases as you drink more alcohol, and these increases can raise your risk of arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. Let’s look at how to tell the difference between a mild, temporary hangover that you can treat at home and one that may need some extra medical attention. If you or a loved one has a chronic drinking problem, it is important to seek professional help.

People should generally avoid hangover cure myths, including “hair of the dog” and eating usually unpalatable food such as raw eggs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest females limit their number of drinks to one or less a day and males to two or less a day. According to the National Headache Foundation, a person can also consume oral rehydration solutions to help manage dehydration.

Have Some Sports Drinks

Plus, drinking more alcohol when your body is already dealing with hangover symptoms can either make them worse or only be a temporary fix alcoholism symptoms before your symptoms return. Take a 200- to 300-milligram (mg) NAC supplement at least half an hour before you start drinking. This could reduce the impact of acetaldehyde on your liver and make your hangover symptoms much less severe. Additionally, keeping a diary to track your triggers and being mindful of other factors like stress and sleep can be helpful. The alcohol in the blood increases more quickly with liquor than with beer. For example, if a person drinks liquor before beer, they are likely to feel the effects of the alcohol sooner.

What Are Migraine Symptoms and Causes?

Once absorbed into the bloodstream, ethanol can cross into nerve cells in the brain, inducing a chemical release that leads to feelings of pleasure and reduced inhibitions. As ethanol molecules accumulate in the nerve cell membranes, sedative effects develop, impairing motor pathways and reducing the efficiency of blood sugar processing in the brain. The best way to avoid developing a headache after consuming alcohol is to drink in moderation.

What Causes an Alcohol Headache and How to Prevent It?

While there is no proven cure for hangovers, preventative measures such as hydration and eating before drinking can reduce the chances of getting a headache. Some chemicals present in alcohol such as histamine and tyramine are believed to interfere with brain chemicals. Events as these can result in headaches and trigger migraines in some individuals.

• You can also experiment with different types of milk or creamers to find one that agrees with you.
• They should talk to a medical provider about these triggers in order to minimize their headaches.
• Alcohol’s exact role in triggering a migraine isn’t fully known.

Alcohol’s exact role in triggering a migraine isn’t fully known. For instance, alcohol byproducts called congeners have been linked to headaches. Dark-colored alcohols like red wine, brandy, and whiskey may contain more of them. Alcohol contains ethanol, a vasodilator that increases the size of blood vessels in the body.