An anti-inflammatory drug called tolfenamic acid has been shown to be somewhat helpful when taken during alcohol consumption. While this drug is not available in the U.S., other related medications, including ibuprofen, naproxen, and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be similarly helpful. However, when combined with alcohol they might increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Gatorade or other fitness drinks may be better than water alone, but there is no scientific proof. A chemical called N-acetyl-cysteine may be useful in detoxifying the body from acetaldehyde buildup, but this too is an unproven treatment. Light exercise may be helpful, provided you stay well-hydrated.

• Gatorade or other fitness drinks may be better than water alone, but there is no scientific proof.
• This blood test shows your average blood sugar over the last few months, rather than at a fixed point in time.
• No differences between migraine and tension headache were reported [24, 26] (Table 1).
• If a headache persists or worsens, visit a doctor for an examination and treatment recommendations.
• If someone has been binge drinking and is an unconscious or semiconscious state, their breathing is slow, their skin clammy, and there’s a powerful odor of alcohol, they may have alcohol poisoning.

How does alcohol affect the brain and the rest of the body?

Relaxation techniques may help ease stress-related migraines, and they may make migraine episodes feel less severe when they happen. Hard liquors like rum and vodka are less commonly alcohol causes migraines involved in a headache. Generally, these episodes resolve within a few hours but can last up to a whole day. The tables below group alcohol types by the amount of these additives.

Other effects of drinking alcohol

As many migraine sufferers can attest to, sometimes it just takes one glass of wine or even a sip. Vasodilation may trigger migraine attacks in certain individuals. This is especially true for people prone to headaches or migraine without alcohol. We also examine the types of headache alcohol can trigger and the types of alcohol likely to cause more headaches. Because your body views alcohol as a toxic substance, it’s perfectly normal to experience a headache from drinking alcohol.

Why Does Alcohol Consumption Cause Headaches?

You don’t have to be homeless and drinking out of a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. Many alcoholics are able to hold down jobs, get through school, and provide for their families. But just because you’re a high-functioning alcoholic doesn’t mean you’re not putting yourself or others in danger. Binge drinking is defined as drinking so much that your blood alcohol level reaches the legal limit of intoxication within a couple of hours.

Studies have shown that alcoholic drinks act as a trigger for migraines in up to one-third of patients. When you consume alcohol, it can cause headaches due to factors. Alcohol is a diuretic that increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Researchers don’t know exactly what causes alcohol-induced migraine attacks.

Can alcohol give you a migraine attack?

• Motor pathways become overactive, and blood sugar is processed less efficiently in the brain.
• A detailed description of the steps performed during study selection is presented in Fig.
• Consequently, it seems likely that people with migraine to some extent avoid alcohol, which would be one interpretation of our results.