In this study, we prospectively collected information on alcohol and other lifestyle factors and examined their potential impact on headache risk on the following day, eliminating concerns of recall bias. Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no safe alcohol dose 19, Panconesi et al. conclude beer gives me a headache that low consumption is not a contraindication for headache patients 79. However, each patient makes individual decisions based on their own experience. Headache after a certain amount of alcohol is likely to induce behavioral reactions (i.e., alcohol-intake adjustment). Similarly, common beliefs may influence patients habits, e.g., the conviction that “red wine causes migraine”, even if studies present conflicting evidence 80, 81.

How to Relieve a Hangover Headache

The relatively low number of cluster-headache studies also does not allow an assessment of any correlation with alcohol drinking. Moreover, some of the studies included in our review do not present results in an accurate way or do so without assigning patients to specific headaches. Therefore, it was not possible for our meta-analysis to contain all those drug addiction studies where drinking was described with primary headache. The ways describing alcohol consumption habits were variously presented in almost each study, therefore could develop the observed heterogeneity among migraine analysis. Also, the majority of the studies had high or moderate risk of bias. While the mechanisms behind alcohol-induced headaches are not fully understood, studies have shown that certain types of alcohol may be more likely to cause headaches.

Identifying Triggers for Alcohol-Related Cluster Headaches

We hope that the information provided will assist you in managing these headaches effectively and finding relief. Let’s delve into the world of alcohol and cluster headaches to shed light on this important medical issue. While it’s true that any alcoholic drink can trigger a headache, certain types of beer may be less likely to cause that throbbing sensation. The key here is to choose brews with lower levels of congeners—substances produced during fermentation that can contribute to headaches. Lighter beers, such as pilsners, wheat beers, and blonde ales, tend to have lower congener levels compared to darker varieties like stouts or strongly hopped IPAs.

What are cluster headaches?

• Recent studies show that migraine patients consume less alcohol than controls.
• Drinking plenty of water, especially before, during, and after consuming alcohol, can help counteract dehydration, one of the primary causes of alcohol-induced headaches.
• It is essential to identify personal tolerance levels and establish limits to prevent triggering episodes.

Understanding whether alcohol is a migraine trigger and how to treat and prevent it can help you make the best choices about what and how much you drink. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here.

Some other phenolics had varying effects, but quercetin glucuronide was the winner. When your body absorbs quercetin from food or wine, most is converted to glucuronide by the liver in order to quickly eliminate it from the body. Your body also produces about 700 milligrams of sulfites daily as you metabolize the protein in your food and excrete it as sulfate. To do so, it has compounds called sulfite oxidases that create sulfate from sulfite – the 20 milligrams in a glass of wine are unlikely to overwhelm your sulfite oxidases. Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018.

Are you tired of waking up with a throbbing headache or a migraine attack after a night of drinking? Even people who are not prone to headaches https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can find themselves with hangover headaches, and about one-third of patients with migraine note alcohol as a trigger for their attacks. Some individuals with migraines have reported that certain types of alcohol are less likely to trigger attacks. For example, some people can drink Fireball Whiskey, Amaretto Sours, and vodka without issues.

• More than a third of the participants said that alcohol had this effect, with about 78% naming red wine as the most common alcohol trigger.
• Another thing that remains unclear is if the quantity and type of alcohol you drink determines whether you will get a migraine headache.
• Keeping a headache diary can help you identify your personal triggers and develop strategies to steer clear of them.
• 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.

Study population

• There are an abundance of medications available over the counter that are recommended for standard headaches, but taking too many can be dangerous.
• The final sample size was 487 individuals, who collectively contributed data on 43,830 diary days, of which 9578 were migraine days and 5913 were the first days of a migraine attack.
• However, individuals’ responses to alcohol vary, and there is no alcohol that will absolutely not cause a migraine or other types of headaches.
• While the exact reasons behind this link are not fully understood, several potential mechanisms have been proposed.
• They can provide personalized guidance and help determine the most suitable treatment options for effectively managing cluster headaches.
• Further research is needed to examine the potential heterogeneity in risk and headache intensity across individuals and to assess how this risk may depend on the timing and amount of alcoholic beverage intake.

However, some general recommendations to reduce the chances of a headache include drinking in moderation, avoiding sugary and caffeinated beverages, and opting for drinks with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. Additionally, the way you drink your beer or champagne can make a difference. Drinking slowly and staying hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with water can help prevent headaches. Also, be mindful of common triggers in your drinking environment, such as loud music or strong scents, as these can contribute to headaches as well. The questionnaires were filled without the presence of an interviewer, and did not include any recognizable data to assure full anonymity of the collected data. The questionnaires included demographics, headache history and characteristics, health-related habits (smoking and alcohol consumption), and hangover symptoms.