Also, the majority of the studies had high or moderate risk of bias. Alcoholic drinks (ADs) have been reported as a migraine trigger in about one-third of the migraine patients in retrospective studies. Some studies found that ADs trigger also other primary headaches. Many studies show that ADs are a trigger of migraine without aura (MO), migraine with aura (MA), cluster headache (CH), and tension-type headache (TH). While data on MO and CH are well delineated, those in MA and TH are discordant.
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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. Do you think you might react to certain alcoholic beverages more than others? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a discussion on MyMigraineTeam. Scientists are still trying to understand how or why alcohol acts as a trigger for some people who suffer from migraines. At present, most studies seem to link to headaches after alcohol migraine and alcohol to congeners, a byproduct of alcohol, most commonly found in darker drinks, such as whiskey, brandy and red wine. The majority were female (419/487, 86.0%), actively working (293/378, 77.5%).
Definition of traditional risk factor control
While many of us enjoy a few alcoholic beverages with friends and family now and then, the consequences of overindulgence are famously unpleasant. Headache, nausea, fatigue, and general malaise are commonly experienced by over-imbibers and can be temporarily debilitating. The post-consumption headache is particularly common, but many find that not all sources of alcohol are equally likely to result in this symptom. Red wine, in particular, is notorious for inducing headaches and does so roughly 3-fold more frequently than other beverages,1 often within 30 minutes and after only a single glass.
However, the predictive value of migraine for ASCVD was relatively much lower in the total population and other subgroups (see Supplementary material online, Fig. 2). Migraine attacks can be debilitating, and most people who experience them will do anything to find relief. Avoiding personally known triggers can be a useful way to reduce the number of potential attacks. Alcohol is a common trigger for migraine attacks, but some types may be less likely to cause problems than others. Let’s explore the best and worst types of alcohol for people with migraine. Most importantly, monitor how you feel when you drink alcohol and be willing to have open and honest conversations about drinking with your doctor and other important people in your life.
What alcohol to drink to avoid migraine attacks
The astringency from the tannins is what causes the dry feeling in the mouth when you drink these beverages or eat food high in tannins like unripe fruit. The few experimental studies indicate that the highest congener beverage (bourbon) results in more severe hangover ratings than does the beverage with essentially no congeners (vodka). 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. There are many possible triggers for migraine attacks, including stress, bright lights, loud noises, weather changes, certain foods and drinks, and changes in sleep or hormone patterns to name a few.
- Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no safe alcohol dose 19, Panconesi et al. conclude that low consumption is not a contraindication for headache patients 79.
- Given that, this may not be the best approach if you’re unwilling to trade discomfort for a personal “safe” list of beverages.
- However, more recent research indicates no relationship between tension type headaches and alcohol consumption.
- In fact, prospective studies report a limited importance of ADs as migraine trigger.
Note that the response to different alcoholic drinks can vary among individuals. Migraine sufferers need to pay attention to their body’s signals. Yes, you can still enjoy alcohol if you live with migraine, but moderation and mindfulness are key. While alcohol is a trigger for some migraine sufferers, others find that they can still drink occasionally without experiencing symptoms.
Headaches are one of the most common neurological symptoms related to the sensation of pain 1 and cause a decrease in patients’ quality of life 2. Their global prevalence is estimated at 52% of the population 3. Headache disorders are classified according to the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) 4, 5 as either primary headaches, secondary headaches or neuropathies and facial pains 4, 6.
Why does Champagne and sparkling wine give me a headache?
Much like food triggers for migraine, people may have a higher sensitivity to certain organic components commonly found in alcoholic drinks. Several studies suggest that alcohol, especially red wine, may trigger migraine attacks. A significant interaction exists between unhealthy lifestyles and migraine, where their combined effects may contribute to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, potentially amplifying the impact of each factor. Developing effective lifestyle intervention strategies tailored for migraine patients could help improve their long-term cardiovascular health, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive risk management.
These headaches cause very intense pain that often primarily affects the area behind one eye. More than half of those who experience cluster headaches say that alcohol is a trigger. Of the 1,547 participants, 783 said that alcohol was a trigger, and 195 were not sure. Researchers have a few ideas about why people with migraine may be more likely to have high blood pressure. One theory involves a possible genetic link — some people may inherit certain genes that change how the blood vessels or the muscles around them work. These changes might raise the chances of developing both migraine and high blood pressure.
Treatment options vary, from acute treatment to relieve symptoms to preventive treatment to reduce the number of attacks you experience. There are also behavioral treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help. Alternative migraine therapies can work alongside traditional treatments to reduce migraine attack frequency and lessen the impact of symptoms. After a night on the town, it’s easy to blame a headache on too much alcohol. But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, drinking even a small amount of alcohol can bring on an attack. Migraine episodes can be a periodic inconvenience, or they can be debilitating.
Some members of MyMigraineTeam have noticed blood pressure spikes when having a migraine attack. “I had a migraine attack with my blood pressure going over 200,” one member wrote. Pain in, around, or behind one eye is a very common migraine symptom. Eye pain during migraine is generally caused when something triggers a migraine episode. John’s wort is an herbal supplement commonly used to manage anxiety and depression.
- But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, drinking even a small amount of alcohol can bring on an attack.
- If, after keeping track, you become convinced alcohol is the problem, then it’s now time to identify the symptoms.
- Many studies show that ADs are a trigger of migraine without aura (MO), migraine with aura (MA), cluster headache (CH), and tension-type headache (TH).
- Those who were included in this study had episodic migraine and self-identified as low dose alcohol consumers.
- No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
When this happens, these nerve endings send pain signals through your trigeminal nerve and may cause pain in, around, or behind your eye. This process is known as central sensitization and may be the cause of your migraine eye pain. Dealing with migraines can be a pain, but there are practical steps you can take to ease the discomfort. From natural remedies to lifestyle changes, all three dietitians recommend the following tips to help you find relief and reduce migraine frequency.
A high risk of bias was reported when a cross-sectional study received five or fewer “yes” responses, a case–control fewer than six and a cohort study below seven. A moderate risk of bias was assigned when the paper received positive answers between mentioned ranges. The assessments were conducted by three researchers (BB, PN and MS1) separately, then the fourth author (MWP) compared this data and made a final decision.