Tannin, a component in red wine, has been long considered the culprit. It has also been found that a specific flavonoid in red wine inhibits an enzyme that metabolizes certain components of red wine, contributing to a build up chemicals that can cause a headache. If you notice consistent patterns, then chances are it’s the alcohol that’s causing your migraine headache. People who consume greater quantities of alcohol report more alcohol-related headaches, according to several studies. Then again, in some groups, alcohol appears to have protective effects against headaches. There is only one sure way if treating an alcohol-related headache.
- In this article, we will discuss alcohol headaches after one drink and how to effectively treat the condition.
- Dehydration occurs because alcohol inhibits the effect of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
- Ethanol is also a diuretic, meaning it increases urination, which then leads to electrolyte loss and dehydration.
- But most of them have no reliable scientific research that proves they work.
- However, darker liquors may still contain a high level of headache-causing congeners.
Relationship between alcohol and migraine headaches
- A person should avoid acetaminophen as it can worsen the effects of alcohol on the liver.
- The most effective way to avoid a hangover headache is to avoid drinking, or avoid drinking in excess.
- Individuals who are already prone to have migraine headaches should be especially aware of alcohol-induced migraines.
- But by inhibiting ADH, water is instead urinated out at a faster rate than you’re adding fluids back.
- If it does, you’ll need to drink less or stay away from all alcohol.
Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient that’s found in all sorts of common foods, such as poultry, potatoes, and fruit. Alcohol reduces your levels of B vitamins, making it harder for your body to metabolize and eliminate alcohol. Hangovers can last up to 72 hours after drinking, but most are shorter in duration. Again it depends on how much was consumed, how dehydrated you became, nutritional status, ethnicity, gender, the state of your liver, medications, etc.
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Although nausea can make it difficult to get anything down, even just a few sips of water might help your hangover. Alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a substance that’s toxic at high levels. However, concentrations rarely get that high, so that’s not the complete explanation.
Ethanol
Some people may experience an alcohol-related migraine between 30 minutes and 3 hours after drinking. Making sure to drink plenty of water during and after alcohol consumption can decrease the chance of headaches. In conclusion, the primary culprits behind tequila-induced headaches are the presence of congeners, dehydration, and mixing with other ingredients. While you may not be able to change your body’s sensitivity, you can adopt mindful drinking habits and opt for higher-quality tequilas to potentially reduce the chances of a post-tequila headache.
Sensitivity to specific ingredients in alcohol
Congeners are present in some alcoholic beverages, and can also cause or contribute to headaches. These include hydrating, eating carbohydrates, and taking certain painkillers. A person should avoid acetaminophen as it can worsen the effects of alcohol on the liver. A person should take ibuprofen or aspirin with caution as they could irritate the lining of the stomach. Self-medicating with alcohol only creates an unhealthy cycle that can be hard to break, and leads to even more health issues in the long-term.
- Additionally, keeping a diary to track your triggers and being mindful of other factors like stress can also be helpful.
- Because alcohol is a depressant, it suppresses our nervous system.
- If you aren’t sure that alcohol is to blame for your headaches, try keeping a diary.
Fitness drinks
Unlike a hangover headache, cocktail headaches can be caused by even small amounts of alcohol. If you develop a cocktail headache, take care to rest and nourish your body with water, electrolytes, and a healthy fruit or vegetable snack if possible. Whether or not alcohol is a migraine headache trigger is debatable. While some people do experience migraine headaches after drinking alcohol, not everyone does. Chemicals called headache from tequila congeners are also a component of alcoholic drinks.
There have been several proposed explanations for how alcohol causes headaches. Migraine Again follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.