Sulphites are often blamed for causing headaches too (though not migraines specifically),9 and white wine usually contains higher levels of sulphites than red wine. 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. Among people who find alcohol can trigger a migraine, most find that any alcoholic drink can trigger one, but others may find that particular drinks are more of a problem. People who rely on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage migraine pain should also be careful with alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious side effects, like gastrointestinal bleeding.
- No differences (but data was not shown) were reported in another population study 31, and in a small study where, however, some bias is present, that is different periods of evaluation, controls with medical illnesses, etc 32.
- However, these limitations are to some extent discounted by the number of studies included and the cultural diversity of participants.
- In retrospective studies, about one-third of the migraine patients reported alcohol as a migraine trigger, at least occasionally, but only 10% of the migraine patients reported alcohol as a migraine trigger frequently.
- These findings suggest that red wine contains a migraine-provoking agent that is neither alcohol (because vodka is pure alcohol) nor tyramine (for the negligible content in wine).
Managing and Alleviating Headaches After the First Week of Withdrawal
Alcohol increases urination, which can lead to dehydration, and people who drink alcohol may not drink as much water, intensifying the water loss. It may also trigger headaches related to headache disorders, such as migraine. If you aren’t sure that alcohol is to blame for your headaches, try keeping a diary. Each time you drink, write down the type of alcohol you have, the amount, and if and when you had a migraine. Include how you felt the prior 48 hours as well as any stress or anxiety you were under at the time. A migraine each time you have a night out should be a good reason to abstain.
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Drinks containing more alcohol and congeners may worsen the chance of developing a headache. Making sure to drink plenty of water during and after alcohol consumption can decrease the chance of headaches. Genes that play a role in opioid, serotonin, and dopamine systems also influence alcohol sensitivity.
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In Europe, can alcohol cause migraines alcohol consumption is higher than in Asian countries, but in Europe alcohol as a trigger is reported more frequently than it is in Asia 87. Therefore, this hypothesis seems a less likely explanation for our results. However, the type of alcoholic beverage that triggers these headaches is not clear. This is especially true for people prone to headaches or migraine without alcohol. Most studies point to red wine as a common headache culprit, particularly in people with migraine. These individuals commonly cite wine, especially red wine, as a migraine trigger.
A total of 32,911 complete cases including 4679 migraine attacks were analyzed. Only few studies 46, 48–50, 52 provided the data about the period in which alcohol drinking was considered and measured. Nineteen studies used questionnaire methods to assess drinking 36, 44–59, 61, 62. Although any type of alcohol can trigger a migraine, people who experience regular migraine attacks cite red wine as the most frequent culprit. Many people diagnosed with migraine work hard to figure out what causes (or triggers) their migraine attacks. For some, making dietary and lifestyle changes plays a critical role in managing symptoms and preventing future attacks.
These are substances that the alcohol manufacturing process produces. Some research suggests that congeners play a role in hangovers, although factors such as inflammation also contribute. One hypothesis is that red wine causes migraine due to high levels of certain compounds called flavonols, particularly quercetin. This compound might inhibit the body’s ability to break down alcohol, leading to the buildup of a substance called acetaldehyde, which could result in headaches.
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- However, each patient makes individual decisions based on their own experience.
- There, you will find a wonderful community of people who are ready to listen and lift each other up.
- Finally, 22 articles 26, 27, 36, 44–62 were retrieved for further analysis.
- Many different factors can contribute to a hangover as a result of drinking.
Vives-Mestres acknowledged the evidence suggesting that even low doses of alcohol can cause headache in people with migraine. But she was cautiously optimistic about how the current results might change how people think about the relationship between the two. The authors are now studying other factors and behaviors, including stress, anxiety, and sleep, that may affect the association between alcohol intake and migraine onset to better understand the clinical implications of their combined effects. Red wine strongly inhibits the binding of 5-HT to 5-HT1 receptors; white wine possesses this ability to a much lesser extent 47.
