Learn how Thrive’s home-based program, centered on naltrexone, helps you take control of alcohol and rebuild your confidence. Waking up with a racing heart was something I thought was due to anxiety or over-exertion. But alcohol affects the heart by acting as a depressant, slowing down heart function. During withdrawal, the opposite happens—your heart rate increases as your nervous system becomes overstimulated.
Hangover headache
In addition, those who stop drinking may not be getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health. It is important to ensure that those who are abstaining from alcohol get adequate amounts of these essential vitamins and minerals. Another possible cause of headaches from not drinking alcohol is nutritional deficiencies. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes the body to lose more fluids than it takes in.
- However, in more severe cases, prescription medications may be needed to reduce the intensity of the headache.
- For instance, applying a cold compress to the forehead or taking a warm shower may provide some level of temporary relief by soothing tense muscles and promoting relaxation.
- It is found in alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and liquor and can trigger migraine headaches.
- When you quit drinking alcohol, your body goes through a process of withdrawal and can cause physical symptoms.
- We offer a variety of treatment options for teens and adolescents, an outpatient program, and even dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety disorders.
Why Do I Get A Headache Every Time I Drink? Unraveling Causes
- However, findings on the association between alcohol intake and migraine are inconclusive for a number of reasons, including cultural, regional, and individual differences in the consumption of alcohol.
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood in relation to the amount of water in your blood.
- The investigators even found a slightly lower probability of a migraine attack on the second day after alcohol consumption.
- However, further studies related to primary headaches and alcohol consumption with low risk of bias are required.
When they stop drinking, their caffeine intake may drop, leading to headaches due to caffeine withdrawal. Some individuals experience alcohol intolerance or sensitivity, which heightens their susceptibility to headaches after drinking even small amounts of alcohol. This intolerance may stem from genetic factors affecting how one metabolizes alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to lose more water than it takes in. This loss of fluids can lead to dehydration, which is a well-known trigger for headaches. When I drink, I often forget to hydrate alongside my beverages, and that oversight can result in a pounding headache the next day.
The Connection between Headaches, Alcohol Withdrawal, and Stress
While the exact reasons why alcohol triggers headaches are still not fully understood, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk and enjoy a drink without pain. While there is no magical alcohol that doesn’t cause headaches when consumed in excess, alcohol does vary tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer. Top-shelf can alcohol cause headaches brands not only taste better but may also be less likely to prove a migraine trigger. I caution patients to order a specific brand of alcohol when ordering a cocktail rather than relying on well drinks or lower-quality brands. Learn how to make healthy nutritional and dietary choices while managing migraine symptoms.
Headaches After Quitting Alcohol: How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. With 30 years of paying close attention to consumption and the boundaries, I have evolved to limiting high alcohol, highly tannic, and heavily processed wines. With the huge focus on organic foods and what we all eat, there should be as much attention put on what we drink. Alcohol is embedded in our society, and it is difficult to be in a public space without seeing a reference to alcohol or being offered a drink. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. People with a variant in this enzyme have issues with metabolizing alcohol and can develop total body Sober living house flushing or reddening of the skin.