About 37 million Americans suffer from migraines, according to the American Headache Society. Alcohol is known to be a common migraine trigger. So, what’s the connection, and is preventing alcohol headaches possible?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why does alcohol give me a headache?” you’re not alone. This article will explore the link between migraines and alcohol, common causes, and ways to find relief.
The Link Between Migraines and Alcohol
The link between migraines and alcohol varies from person to person, but many find that alcohol bring on a migraine or makes their symptoms worse. The exact reason for these migraines isn’t fully known. For starters, it may be the actual alcohol itself that triggers attacks – the chemicals it’s broken down into by the body may directly cause a migraine.
Alcohol is is a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more, increasing your risk of becoming dehydrated. When the body loses too much fluid, the brain can temporarily shrink, pulling on the surrounding tissue and causing pain.
Some alcoholic drinks, especially red wine, contain tyramine. Tyramine is a substance that can trigger headaches or migraines in certain people. Beer and whiskey can also contain high amounts of tyramine.
Alcohol can also affect your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. When your blood sugar levels drops, you may experience headaches as part of the symptoms. This is more likely to happen if you drink on an empty stomach.
Understanding Hangovers
Hangovers are the body’s response to drinking too much alcohol and usually begin once you stop drinking. One of the main symptoms of a hangover is a headache. A hangover headache can feel similar to a migraine and is often caused by dehydration, low blood sugar, and the buildup of certain chemicals in the body. A hangover will typically resolve itself within 24 hours once your blood alcohol level returns to normal.
Preventing Alcohol Headaches
If alcohol gives you headaches, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Drink water with your alcohol to help prevent dehydration, one of the main causes of alcohol migraine triggers.
The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to get a headache. So, stick to small amounts of alcohol or avoid it altogether if you are prone to headache or migraine.
Having a meal before you drink alcohol can help stabilize your blood sugar levels. This can reduce the chances of getting a headache.
Some drinks are more likely to cause headaches than others. Red wine, beer, and whiskey are common triggers. If you’re prone to alcohol-related headaches, try switching to white wine or clear spirits like vodka or gin in moderate amounts.
Headache Relief Methods
If you already have an alcohol-induced headache or migraine, here are some methods for relief. Rehydrating is the first step to feeling better because this will help restore the fluids your body lost.
Eating a small meal or snack can help raise your blood sugar levels and may reduce your headache. If possible, rest in a quiet, dark room—sleep can help your body recover and lessen the intensity of the headache.
It would also be helpful to keep something like gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) in your back pocket. This is a device you can use at home yourself to treat headache pain when it strikes. It works by targeting the vagus nerve, which regulates pain, through the skin on the side of your neck.
Treatments take less than five minutes. gammaCore nVNS is also clinically proven to prevent migraines and headaches when used twice daily, in the morning and at night.
To see if gammaCore is right for you, visit our clinic finder to locate a health care provider near you, or contact our dedicated Customer Experience team at 888-903-2673 or customerservice@electrocore.com.
