Relationship between alcohol and primary headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Those who are triggered by alcohol usually feel the attack coming on within a few hours, although some reported that the next day was when they felt it. 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. In many cases, researchers say it’s more a matter of individual triggers or other factors that coincide with your alcohol consumption, like stress. Alcohol has different effects on the body depending on when you drink it. There has been some research into the effect alcohol has in increasing blood flow to certain parts of the brain, but whether this causes or relieves headache symptoms depends largely on the type of headache. People who consume greater quantities of alcohol report more alcohol-related headaches, according to several studies.

• The results of our meta-analysis are that there is a lack of a relationship between the risk of TTH and alcohol consumption.
• 2021 research also linked lifestyle factors with alcohol drinking and smoking to cluster headaches and their severity.
• It can happen even if you drink less than people who don’t get migraine headaches.
• Since every person is different, it helps to hear what tactics (not necessarily evidence-based) help others.
• This type of headache can happen to anyone, but people with migraines are more likely to get one.

Other primary headaches

This article will explore the relationship between alcohol and headache and consider why some people develop an alcohol headache after one drink. Research on riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12 might be effective in reducing certain types of head pain. That said, additional research is needed before this supplement (and others) could be broadly recommended as a headache remedy. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in certain foods and considered can alcohol help headaches healthy fats, can help lower the risk of chronic disease and might also help curb headaches.

Why does Champagne and sparkling wine give me a headache?

I began having migraine attacks when I was a teenager, but was never properly diagnosed until I was an adult. This began 18 years where I was chronic and mostly intractable, resulting in a migrainous stroke in the summer of 2014. The end result of continuing to practice these tools is being able to actively participate in my life as a wife, mother, family member and friend. My goal as a migraine advocate, educator, and wellness coach is to help others gain more control over migraine.

General Health

Individuals who experience severe headaches after drinking alcohol may also avoid alcohol altogether. 2021 research also linked lifestyle factors with alcohol drinking and smoking to cluster headaches and their severity. A second explanation for the results presented in our meta-analysis might encompass a certain protective role of alcohol with regards to migraine. However, according to this idea, populations with higher migraine prevalence should have lower alcohol consumption.

Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here

But there are things you can do, like staying hydrated, that can relieve the symptoms. Hangovers occur when the alcohol levels in your blood drop significantly—frequently the morning after you drink. Hangovers can affect pretty much anyone who has had too much to drink. Seven articles used International Headache Society (IHS) criteria from 1988 46, 47, 50, 51, 56, 59, 60. The alcohol in the blood increases more quickly with liquor than with beer.

• See a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing frequent or severe headaches that don’t get better with at-home or OTC treatment options.
• Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase.
• Keep in mind that it is important to minimize the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) when drinking alcohol (or recovering from a hangover), as the combination can harm the liver.
• Heat or warmth may be more appropriate to ease a muscle tension-related headache.
• Search terms of “alcohol,” “wine,” “food trigger,” “dietary trigger,” “migraine,” “headache” were used.