Those diagnosed with a specific type of headache may be more prone to develop a specific type of headache after consuming alcohol. 2020 research shows that females are more likely to experience hangovers, memory problems, and liver disease from consuming alcohol. Substances such as sulfites, histamine, and tyramines are found in alcohol and may contribute to headaches as well. It has also been proposed that alcohol triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to a headache. Often, alcohol-induced headaches also have characteristics that resemble your usual headaches, such as migraines, because alcohol is a trigger for these chronic headache conditions.
About Medical News Today
- Only few studies 46, 48–50, 52 provided the data about the period in which alcohol drinking was considered and measured.
- A well-hydrated person is the least likely to experience headaches or to have the least intensity of headache,” Moore says.
- Whilst many people do not suffer any side effects from ingesting tannins, there are some who find them to be a source of their headaches.
- White wine is made without the grape skin, so it has a lower histamine content than red wine, which is made from the whole grape.
- There is only one sure way if treating an alcohol-related headache.
- Many different factors can contribute to a hangover as a result of drinking.
For most people, a hangover headache will last no more than 24 hours, with many people finding that a good night’s sleep and plenty of water can relieve their symptoms completely. Unfortunately, some may notice that their headache takes a little longer to go away, this could be up to 72 hours. We have already discussed that a migraine is a common headache experienced after drinking alcohol, but the alcohol-induced headache may fall into one of two categories. Hangovers occur when the alcohol levels in your blood drop significantly—frequently the morning after you drink.
Statistical analysis
- While numerous chemicals-related factors can trigger a headache after drinking alcohol, stress can also be a possible cause.
- There are animal studies that suggest a potential link between alcohol’s inflammatory effects and headaches.
- While all alcohol contains high levels of histamines, red wines have a significantly higher amount than other beverages, and therefore may lead to more severe headaches.
- Additionally, alcohol consumption decreases the level of B vitamins in the body, which can make headaches worse.
- A moderate risk of bias was assigned when the paper received positive answers between mentioned ranges.
- Although, as we’ll discuss below, there are other factors that can lead to headaches no matter what form of alcohol you consume.
Red wine often gets the most blame, but beer can also have a significant impact. In fact, in one large survey on cluster headaches, beer was the most common culprit of all alcoholic drinks. A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within the same evening of drinking alcohol.
Cluster Headaches
In turn, this leads to more blood being able to flow into the brain, which can trigger a migraine. One of the main problems facing those who struggle with alcohol is the alcohol-induced headache. This common problem may affect one of the 10.8 million adults in the UK who are drinking at a worrying level.
- Such headaches can occur while you are drinking, or a few hours after—even if you’ve had as little as one drink.
- If you experience prolonged or frequent headaches, you should consult your GP.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
- This type of headache can happen to anyone, but people with migraines are more likely to get one.
The body converts the ethanol in alcohol that we drink to a chemical that can trigger headaches. Many people may also develop headaches due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Because your body views alcohol as a toxic substance, it’s perfectly normal to experience a headache from drinking alcohol. Alcohol’s effects on your body include dehydration, inflammation, reduced sleep quality, and the buildup of toxic substances—all of which can give you a headache. Personal factors such as your age, sex, body weight, fitness and general health can also have an impact on how alcohol affects you and how you process it – including whether you get a headache. If you regularly suffer from conditions such as migraine or cluster headaches, alcohol can serve as a trigger.
Some people only sip a glass or two of wine before their head starts to throb. The alcohol in the blood increases more quickly with liquor than with what is Oxford House beer. For example, if a person drinks liquor before beer, they are likely to feel the effects of the alcohol sooner.
Additionally, alcohol affects blood circulation in the brain, causing an increase or decrease in blood flow that can result in throbbing headaches. Alcohol also has inflammatory effects on blood vessels, leading to tension and cluster headaches. The most common type of headache caused by alcohol is the delayed headache, which is seen to occur around 12 hours after drinking alcohol. While similar symptoms to the immediate headache are experienced, this type of headache is usually a more dull, throbbing pain. Cluster headaches are severe headaches that can happen multiple times a day and continue for long periods of time.
Sensitivity to specific ingredients in alcohol
This might also lead to headaches, although not all studies agree on this point. We know that alcohol is inflammatory and that people who drink often get headaches, but the direct relationship between these two is still being debated and researched. In this post, we’ll explore why you get a pounding headache after drinking and why one type of alcohol/s seems to cause more of an issue than others. A 2015 study suggests that the inactivity of alcohol why does drinking give me a headache dehydrogenase 2, an enzyme that helps break down alcohol, might contribute to hangover headaches. However, the study author also cautions that no single factor causes all hangover headaches. If you’ve identified wine as a common headache trigger, your best bet might be to avoid drinking wine.
Again, it is not fully understood what causes cluster headaches, and there may be multiple causes. Alcohol is a known trigger though and one study suggests that it may bring on attacks in about 50-80% of patients who suffer from this type of headache. Assessment of alcohol consumption is challenging, because the results are dependent on https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the patient’s honesty.