Headaches Due to Long-Term Alcohol Abuse

Some people drink alcohol only occasionally. Others drink heavily and often and may be considered alcoholics. Some alcoholics have a hard time quitting because of the side effects, like headaches, that occur when the body realizes it is free of alcohol. A health care professional can help a person determine if treatment is needed.

Alcoholism

• Alcohol is classified as a sedative hypnotic. Although there are competing definitions, alcoholism can safely be referred to as habitually consuming alcoholic beverages, often to the point of intoxication. Authors of the book, “Buzzed,” write, “The use of chemicals to alter thinking and feeling is as old as humanity itself, and alcohol was probably one of the first substances ever used.”

Headaches Due to Long-Term Abuse

• An hangover refers to a group of symptoms that occur after drinking. Headaches or migraines are sometimes associated with a hangover. Whether a person drinks infrequently or has been abusing alcohol for a long period of time, headaches can occur. According to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, website, headaches, nausea, vomiting, aches and muscle pain are all signs of too much alcohol.

  A government report, “10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health,” claims that “alcoholics drink to avoid the negative effect associated with withdrawal.” In other words, long-term users keep drinking in order to avoid the headaches and other side effects that occur when the alcohol is wearing off.

Specific Causes

• There are many causes of an alcohol-related headache. “Buzzed” states, “One of the best known symptoms of a hangover is a pounding headache. The cause is not exactly clear, but probably relates to the effects of alcohol on the blood vessels and fluid balance in the body.”

  Alcohol use can cause sleeplessness. A disruption in normal sleep routines is likely to cause an headache. Alcohol alters metabolism. A change in metabolism due to alcohol use may cause inflammation of some brain tissue. This swelling creates headaches.

  Sometimes the chemical properties of alcohol are the culprit. Wine, for example, might contain congeners to add flavor. Congeners are known to induce headaches. Some alcoholic beverages contain sulfites to extend the shelf life of the product. Many people exposed to sulfites complain of alcohol-induced migraines.

Treatment

• There are many home remedies for headaches caused by alcohol. Some people swear by black coffee. Others drink cola or raw eggs. There are products that are marketed as remedies for hangover symptoms.

  According to the Severe Headache Expert website, a drug called disulfiram (also known as Antabuse) is used to treat alcoholic headaches. Tolfenamic acid, an anti-inflammatory medicine, also shows some promise in reducing headaches. It is not available in the United States. Another anti-inflammatory product called borage extract is said to reduce hangover symptoms, as well.

Detecting Alcohol-Induced Headaches

• There are ways to be sure the headache you experience is alcohol-related. The headache might accompany other symptoms, like diarrhea, rapid heart beats, sweating, loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting. The headache pain is usually throbbing in nature, becomes worse with movement and causes light sensitivity. The headache and other symptoms should subside in 24 hours or less, also according to Severe Headache Expert.