What Everyone with Migraines Should Know About Drinking Alcohol

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. Around 30% of people who experience recurrent migraines report alcohol as a trigger, and 10% of patients cite it as a frequent or consistent trigger. Caffeine is a known trigger, especially in patients who experience frequent migraine attacks.

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It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your alcohol use.

Alcohol is a trigger for migraine attacks in about a third of people living with migraines. However, the exact role of alcohol in triggering migraines is not yet fully understood. It is also not clear whether it is the alcohol itself or another chemical component in alcoholic drinks that acts as the trigger. A 2018 study of almost 2,200 migraine patients found that 35.6% reported alcohol as a trigger, with red wine being the most common trigger among alcoholic beverages.

• Brandy, red wine, and rum have the highest levels of congeners, while gin and vodka contain fewer of these chemicals.
• While caffeine isn’t a common ingredient in many drinks, you’ll find it in espresso martinis, Irish coffee, Jägerbombs, rum and Cokes, and vodka Red Bulls.
• Just like food triggers, alcohol headache triggers are individual, varying from person to person.
• However, the pain of a DAIH is typically a more dull, throbbing pain.

Migraines can occur within 30 minutes to 3 hours of drinking beer. People who cannot stop drinking should talk with a doctor about treatment for alcohol use disorder, which is a serious but treatable condition. Although genetic factors influence the risk of having migraine, environmental triggers can cause episodes or increase their frequency. “Your reader may have a hop allergy and might want to stick with beers that are low in hops. A lot of the craft beers have too much hops for me to drink without getting a splitting headache. I am thrilled now that I have identified the root of the problem, but I’d like to know what ingredient is causing the problem.

Alcohol intake behavior

Aim to drink plenty of water before, after, and during alcohol consumption. One of the more interesting migraine facts is that triggers are additive. If you wake up after a night of drinking with an attack, it doesn’t necessarily mean the beer is to blame. So, if you’re going to drink beer or other alcoholic drinks, try not to drink too much and avoid your other triggers where possible.

They may then decide to avoid those which they cannot confirm as a trigger or those for which they cannot develop some coping strategy. In this study we focused on the role of alcohol as a potential trigger of migraine attacks within 24–48 h after consumption. This delayed effect of alcohol on migraine attack onset may be more difficult to ascertain by an individual compared to an immediate effect. Consumption varies greatly between cultures, regions, and between individuals, a fact which may explain why different studies have found opposing results. Alcohol contains ethanol, a natural diuretic that increases urine production and can lead to dehydration, a common trigger for migraines. Additionally, alcohol contains histamine and stimulates the immune system to produce more, increasing inflammation throughout the body.

General Health

Research suggests that experiencing an unpleasant effect from drinking alcohol may alter alcohol consumption. In fact, many headache sufferers abstain from alcohol or consume less than the general population. In addition to red wine, other alcoholic beverages, including beer, white wine, and liqueur, have also been reported as headache triggers. The diuretic effect of alcohol is influenced by several factors, including the alcohol content of the beverage, the frequency of drinking, and hydration levels before drinking.

Why does alcohol trigger migraine attacks?

To determine if alcohol triggers migraine attacks, individuals can keep a headache diary to track their symptoms and identify patterns. Additionally, drinking in moderation, staying hydrated, and controlling other triggers such as stress and lack of sleep can help reduce the risk of migraine attacks. This was an observational prospective cohort study among individuals with migraine who registered to use a digital health platform for headache.

While avoiding the blame game and remembering we’re all human, we beer and migraines know there are some things we can do to set our brains up for success while enjoying a beer or drink with friends. Alcohol is embedded in our society, and it is difficult to be in a public space without seeing a reference to alcohol or being offered a drink. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. People with a variant in this enzyme have issues with metabolizing alcohol and can develop total body flushing or reddening of the skin. Cocktail headaches are characterised by a pulsating or throbbing pain, typically on both sides of the head.

According to Beyond Celiac, distilled gin and vodka are gluten free. It’s important to make sure that no gluten was added after the distillation process, especially if celiac disease is a factor for you. Generally, these clear alcohols are highly distilled and have almost no leftover congeners from the beginning fermentation process. However, these individuals were not more vulnerable to other hangover symptoms.

• Drinking even a small amount of alcohol can trigger headache symptoms in certain individuals.
• However, more recent research indicates no relationship between tension type headaches and alcohol consumption.
• For example, if a person drinks liquor before beer, they are likely to feel the effects of the alcohol sooner.
• Research shows that about a third of people with migraines find that alcohol can trigger attacks, and around 10% experience this regularly.
• If you’re unsure, try drinking in moderation, staying hydrated, and controlling other triggers such as stress and lack of sleep.
• This can vary depending on the brand of alcohol; some migraine warriors find that certain brands trigger attacks more than others.

This double effect on the body’s fluid levels can lead to dehydration and, consequently, migraine attacks. One of the reasons certain types of alcohol may be more likely to trigger migraine attacks is the presence of congeners. These are by-products of the fermentation process, and they’re found in higher concentrations in dark liquors.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks but try to limit the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis. If you’re drinking a large amount, you’re not only likely consuming excess calories but also taxing your body and the organs that process the alcohol. It has been suggested that a tendency to experience alcohol-induced headaches could be genetic. Migraines in general have been linked to variations in genes, especially those that regulate blood flow to the brain.

It’s important to work with your obstetrician and your headache doctor when you have migraine to establish a safe treatment plan. If you’re not already working with a headache doctor, use our Find a Doctor tool to find someone in your area. Plan to discuss the FDA’s safety guide for medication use during pregnancy.

In general, it is advisable to start with a small amount of beer and increase gradually as needed. However, research suggests that changes in blood vessels are not the direct cause of migraine attacks. Dr. Seng says there’s also some evidence linking high-sugar beverages—including sweet and sparkling wines, and mixed drinks made with juice or soda—with migraine. Any of these could “lead to a more rapid increase in blood sugar,” she says. But “the jury is very much out” on whether sugary beverages are worse than any other boozy drink.

Health

These congeners tend to affect how people feel the next day, including contributing to increased levels of hangover symptoms. The study also found that it was the ethanol consumption that was responsible for a majority of the hangover symptoms. Migraine causes a specific type of headache that involves neurological symptoms such as light sensitivity and aura. Other types of headaches, including severe headaches, can occur as a result of alcohol consumption. Keep a record of any symptoms that occur after consuming alcohol and discuss them with your doctor. Identifying your specific food and drink triggers is a key part of any migraine prevention and treatment plan.

Drink With a Meal

This amber ale is perfect for people who want a flavorful beer that’s still light on calories. It’s also one of the most popular amber ales on the market, so you’re sure to find it at your local store. Heineken is one of those light beers that are perfect for people who are looking for a refreshing option. It’s also a bit cheaper than Corona, making it a great budget-friendly option.