Alcohol & Migraines

Although the root cause of migraines headaches is unknown, alcohol can act as a trigger that sets off these painful headaches. If you suffer from migraines and have questions about triggers and your level of alcohol consumption, talk to your doctor.

What Is a Migraine?

• Migraines are severe headaches that may last for a period of hours or days. The symptoms can incapacitate the migraine sufferer, who may need to lay down in a dark space until the headache has passed. Nausea and vomiting are side effects of severe migraines.

Migraines and Triggers

• The Mayo Clinic states that the cause of migraine headaches is unknown. Stimuli in the person's environment may act as triggers. Stress, bright lights, intense physical exertion, or certain smells like perfume may bring on a migraine headache. The triggers are different from individual to individual.

Alcohol as a Trigger

• Alcohol is a common trigger in migraine sufferers. The Mayo Clinic points out that beer and red wine are especially common culprits. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, over one-third of migraine sufferers reported that alcohol occasionally triggered the headaches. If a specific alcohol has triggered a migraine in the past, the patient is advised to avoid drinking it again.

Migraines and Red Wine

• A study published by the Alaska Science forum found that it wasn't the alcohol content of red wine that caused migraine headaches, but the red wine itself. The study's conclusion was that the chemicals that seep out of the red grapes during fermentation are likely behind the headaches.

Talk to Your Doctor

• Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the connection between alcohol and migraine headaches. He will help you investigate any possible connection, talk to you about alcohol consumption, and help develop strategies for avoiding migraines.