It consists of tyramine that is believed to cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to a headache. As per the National Headache Foundation, tyramine is a vaso-active amino acid that is found in food item, and it precipitates headaches in some people. Individuals who are already prone to have migraine headaches should be especially aware of alcohol-induced migraines. Roughly 3 in 10 migraine sufferers report that alcohol is a trigger at least alcohol rehab some of the time. If headaches persist despite making adjustments to your coffee intake and lifestyle, it may be wise to consult a healthcare professional.
- These minerals help regulate nerve signals and muscle contractions.
- Genes that play a role in opioid, serotonin, and dopamine systems also influence alcohol sensitivity.
- This type of headache can be intense, lasting seconds to minutes, but doesn’t require any treatment.
- Tension headaches are the most common headaches and can be an early sign of a cold or can be caused by disrupted sleep or just psychological stress.
- Because alcohol’s a diuretic — it causes your body to increase how much urine it produces.
Why do I have a constant headache?
In simple terms, this means that it has an effect on the kidneys which causes the level of fluid that you are taking in to become lower than what your body is putting out. Drinking a beverage that’s packed with additional electrolytes can help you restore your electrolyte balance and remain why does my head hurt after drinking hydrated. Get in touch with a member of our team today, or learn more about how it works.
When should I see a doctor for headaches related to coffee consumption?
Dehydration plays a significant role in triggering headaches after drinking alcohol. As a diuretic, alcohol increases urination and ultimately leads to dehydration. Staying hydrated before and during alcohol consumption can alleviate this issue. Drinking too much can trigger migraines, and possibly other types of headaches—such as cluster headaches and tension headaches—in people who are already susceptible to these issues. Such headaches can occur while you are drinking, or a few hours after—even if you’ve had as little as one drink. Because your body views alcohol as a toxic substance, it’s perfectly normal to experience a headache from drinking alcohol.
Key Takeaways: Drinking Water and Headaches
After a period of low fluid intake, drinking water can trigger a strong response as your body adjusts. While some people try to prevent headaches by taking over-the-counter pain medications before drinking, this can be dangerous. When you take a drug such as Tylenol while drinking, there is a potential for severe side effects, including liver damage. Since alcohol has a dehydrating effect, drinking 16 ounces of water between each alcoholic beverage can help offset alcohol-related dehydration. Drinks that include electrolytes, such as sports drinks, can help replace the electrolytes you lose from the diuretic effects of alcohol.
Delayed Alcohol-Induced Headaches
Don’t listen to all the weird, outlandish recipes that are purported to help “cure” a hangover. Ingredients like raw eggs, spices, and the numerous preservatives used in processed or fast foods can make symptoms like nausea and vomiting worse. The second part of this is to listen to your body and use your past experiences as a reference. Maybe one drink is fine, but two or more starts to make you dizzy, lightheaded, and leads to a splitting headache the next day. Preventing dehydration means your hangover symptoms will be much less severe, if you have any at all. Because alcohol’s a diuretic — it causes your body to increase how much urine it produces.
Hangover headaches, with their throbbing pain at the temples and their tendency to get worse when you move, can only reliably be cured with time as your body processes the alcohol. But there are things you can do, like staying hydrated, that can relieve the symptoms. Genes that play a role in opioid, serotonin, and dopamine systems also influence alcohol sensitivity. These genes may affect the likelihood of experiencing symptoms such as headaches after drinking small amounts. This is especially true for people prone to headaches or migraine without alcohol. For individuals who experience hormonal fluctuations, particularly women during their menstrual cycle, caffeine can play a significant role in headache development.
Headaches are a sign of dehydration too, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The most effective way to avoid a hangover headache is to avoid drinking, or avoid drinking in excess. As a physician, my best advice for decreasing or avoiding alcohol-related headaches is to take steps to change your relationship with alcohol. Monument is an online alcohol treatment platform that can help provide support every step of the way.
She shared on Instagram that the more genetically prone you are, the more likely certain foods act to precipitate the headaches. These studies illustrate how both under-hydration and over-hydration influence headache occurrences differently based on individual circumstances. In other words, you will go to the toilet more frequently, but the lost liquid will not be as evenly replaced. This contributes greatly to dehydration, which is the cause of your alcohol-induced headache. An alcohol-induced headache may fall into many categories and whilst they are painful and unpleasant, there are things that can be done to relieve the symptoms.