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 can find themselves with hangover headaches, and about one-third of patients with migraine note alcohol as a trigger for their attacks. The most common type of headache caused by alcohol is the delayed headache, which is seen to occur around 12 hours after drinking alcohol. While similar symptoms to the immediate headache are experienced, this type of headache is usually a more dull, throbbing pain. A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within the same evening of drinking alcohol. Unlike a hangover headache, cocktail headaches can be caused by even small amounts of alcohol.

Causes of a Headache After Consuming Alcohol

Enzymes, mainly in the liver, metabolize (break down) alcohol, releasing a poisonous byproduct called acetaldehyde. This causes oxidative stress (an imbalance between helpful antioxidants and harmful free radicals that can lead to disease), marked by excess toxins in the body. Red wine is often blamed for headaches, and there is possibly a stronger correlation between headaches and red wine than other types of alcohol.

Does alcohol trigger a headache?

The best way to avoid a hangover headache is to limit how much alcohol you drink in one sitting. Still, we’ve also got some tips that can help you reduce your chances of having a headache, and a few to ease your pain in case you’ve already got one. If you develop a cocktail headache, stop drinking alcohol and go someplace where you can rest comfortably.

First, remember to stay hydrated.

Alcohol withdrawal can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. Where possible, watering down liquor is a great idea when it comes to preventing a hangover headache. The repeating factor here is, of course, hydration, and watering down your drink with actual water or even with tonic water or soda will help in keeping you hydrated. While soda isn’t the most hydrating beverage that you can consume, especially soda that contains caffeine, it is better than not watering down your drink at all.

• Most hangover symptoms generally go away anywhere from eight to 24 hours but if you don’t have time to wait, here are some effective solutions to speed it along.
• Aside from this, there is some evidence to show that drinks that have been through an ageing process are liable to cause more reactions within the body.
• Aim to drink plenty of water before, after, and during alcohol consumption.
• In other words, the only real way out of a hangover is through.
• Furthermore, remember that your weight, age, and body composition also affect alcohol metabolism.

It’s not unusual for someone to wake up after a night of drinking feeling social embarrassment and regret. Poor or limited sleep causes grogginess and irritability, which can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety. Although alcohol makes you fall asleep faster, it interrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle (or circadian rhythm). Alcohol dramatically impacts the quality and quantity of rest you get, further contributing to hangover symptoms. Acetaldehyde contributes to inflammation in the liver, pancreas, intestinal tract, and brain, among other organs. As a result, people feel malaise (a general feeling of unwellness), fatigue, headache, and other physical symptoms.

• Tension headaches feel like you have a tight band, like a headband, around your head.
• Unfortunately, higher blood alcohol levels equal dehydration and a loss of important vitamins, minerals, and salts.
• They feel different than a migraine and, in some cases, may feel different than a hangover headache.
• Hydrating as soon as you wake up the next morning is essential, too, at the very least minimizing, you’re after-drinks headache.
• Sugary mixers and tropical drinks can also cause you to drink too much.

Gender and body weight

If you have other hangover symptoms, like nausea or dizziness, in addition to your headache, then the likely cause of your headache is alcohol. Towards the end of my drinking days, I could barely tolerate beer, which I used to love. After one pint, my nose would get congested, and I’d get a throbbing headache. Additionally, it is important to know the alcohol content of the beverage you’re drinking. This will determine how long alcohol will be metabolized in your body and how long the effects will last.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Headaches?

Opt for light-colored drinks like vodka to minimize your hangover blues the day after. Exercise headaches commonly can alcohol cause migraines present as a throbbing pain on both sides of the head. They most often occur after strenuous exercise—although what is considered “strenuous” can differ between people, depending on their fitness levels.

It also inhibits another neurotransmitter, glutamate, which regulates mood. Sudden and severe headaches may be a sign of a brain bleed or another blood vessel issue, which can be deadly if not treated quickly, according to Cleveland Clinic. Headache pain can range from extreme aching, stabbing and throbbing to intense pressure or squeezing, according the Mayo Clinic. Regardless of what kind of pain it is, if it feels more severe or sudden than any headache you’ve ever had, take that seriously. At best, you can drink a lot of water in between drinks and make sure to eat while consuming alcohol to diminish its effects. Women suffer from migraines at higher rates than men and experience the effects of alcohol more severely than men, so the combination is especially tenuous for women migraine sufferers.