Anxiety disorders and depression are two of the most commonly reported mental illnesses among people who are diagnosed with migraine. By learning how migraine and mental health impact one another and ways to manage both, you can improve your quality of life. Learn more about the relationship between migraine and mental health in this AMF webinar. While anyone can experience DAIH, people with migraine are more susceptible.

Conflicting Evidence

Drinking any type of alcohol in excess, including beer, wine, or liquor, can cause headaches. The UK Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines are designed to help all adults keep the health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level. Of course, everyone is different and will have different triggers. Some people may be able to drink red wine alcohol and headaches or whiskey without any problems, while others may find that even clear liquors are problematic. When enjoying a night out on the town, there are several triggers you may expose yourself to including bright flashing lights, loud music, food and alcohol. A slice of cheesecake or pizza can do far more damage for some people than others.

Is Alcohol a Migraine Trigger?

Recent studies show that migraine patients consume less alcohol than controls. Red wine was reported to be the principal trigger of migraine, but other studies show that white wine or other drinks are more involved. Then, the discussion based on the different composition of the various alcoholic beverages, in order to discover the content of alcoholic drinks responsible for migraine attack, reflects this uncertainty. Biogenic amines, sulphites, flavonoid phenols, 5-hydroxytryptamine mechanisms and vasodilating effects are discussed. The fact that few headache patients cannot tolerate some alcoholic drinks does not justify the consideration that alcohol is a major trigger and the suggestion of abstinence.

How to tell if alcohol triggers your migraine attacks

There are also behavioral treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help. Having a strong network of people who validate your experience and support you on the good days and bad is so valuable when you live with an invisible illness like migraine. If you’re interested in connecting with more people in the migraine community, we recommend joining our Facebook support group, Move Against Migraine.

Best wine for migraine

Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a discussion on MyMigraineTeam. Some people may feel that they can’t control their drinking, have negative feelings when they don’t drink, or generally feel that their alcohol consumption is negatively impacting their life. If you feel as though you can’t limit how much you drink or if you continue drinking even though it’s hurting you or those around you, it’s time to talk to your doctor. If you really want to =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drink, you may want to find out if any types of alcohol are unlikely to cause symptoms. You can try sips (or other small amounts) of different types of alcohol to see how your migraine reacts.

Alcohol: A Trigger for Headaches and Migraines

Alcohol can trigger a migraine within a few hours of consumption. However, the timing can vary depending on the individual and the type of alcohol consumed. It’s unclear why alcohol may trigger migraine, but red wine and liquor may be more likely to do so because of the chemical compounds they contain. Primary care physician Monica Kalra, DO, explained that alcohol can cause histamine release, and histamine can cause the widening of blood cells in the brain, which may trigger a migraine attack. People who rely on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage migraine pain should also be careful with alcohol.

• Any kind of alcohol triggers my migraine, so I don’t drink any alcohol.
• Nevertheless, the tendency was higher to develop migraine-like symptoms of the hangover.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol-related issues, contact our specialised treatment advisors to get the help you need.
• Overlap exists between hangover and the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal (AW), leading to the assertion that hangover is a manifestation of mild withdrawal.
• If you tend to get migraines within three hours or less of drinking, this might work best for you.

Traveling With Migraine – How To Avoid Travel Attacks

In a large epidemiological survey of headache in Danish 25- to 64-year-olds, the lifetime prevalence of hangover headache was 72 percent, making it the most common type of headache reported (Rasmussen and Olesen 1992). Alcohol intoxication results in vasodilatation, which may induce headaches. Alcohol has effects on several neurotransmitters and hormones that are implicated in the pathogenesis of headaches, including histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandins (Parantainen 1983). In this cross-sectional study, university students were asked to fill structured questionnaires assessing headache history, alcoholic consumption, and hangover symptoms (using the Hangover Symptom Scale (HSS)). Subjects were classified as suffering from migraine with or without aura and nonsufferers according the International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). The 13 hangover symptoms were divided by the researches into migraine-like and other nonmigraine-like symptoms.

Recent Articles

The sudden onset of migraine means a dark room, bed, and a cool towel for most of us. While these seem to come out of nowhere, many will find that there are usually some signs that a migraine attack is on its way. These signs can reveal a pattern in your symptoms, and even provide Substance abuse you with preventative tools for managing migraine. Everyone has different triggers, but there are a few common culprits that affect a large number of people living with migraine.

Are you tired of waking up with a throbbing headache or a migraine attack after a night of drinking? Even people who are not prone to headaches can find themselves with hangover headaches, and about one-third of patients with migraine note alcohol as a trigger for their attacks. Dehydration often accompanies alcohol consumption and may worsen migraine symptoms. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body and help ease migraine pain. Electrolyte-rich beverages or sports drinks can replenish lost minerals.

Dehydration headache

Our Move Against Migraine support group is a place for you to connect with others (via Facebook) who live with migraine to exchange stories and find community and support. It’s critical to have a support network of understanding people who can not only check in on you but also empathize with your experience. Then consider joining our Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine. Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the effects alcohol may have on hearing. One study found that heavy alcohol consumption in males may lead to hearing problems.