Why Does Alcohol Give Me a Headache After One Drink?

Drinking alcohol can have a lot of negative effects, including causing headaches. Many people will be familiar with the ‘morning after’ headache associated with being hungover after consuming too much alcohol – but some people may experience alcohol-induced headaches after just one drink.

Here we will take a look at the link between alcohol and headaches and answer the question, ‘Why does alcohol give me a headache after one drink?’

Understanding the Link Between Alcohol and Headaches

For many people, drinking alcohol and the first stages of intoxication can be quite pleasant.

Alcohol can cause mild euphoria and make you feel more confident and outgoing. Increased alcohol consumption can lead to a number of less pleasant effects, including nausea, slurred speech, impaired thinking, balance and coordination.

At higher concentrations of blood alcohol, the drinker might experience hiccups, vertigo, confusion, lethargy, blackouts, vomiting, stupor, coma, and slowed breathing. A case of acute alcohol poisoning can even prove fatal.

Drinking alcohol can also lead to a set of symptoms commonly known as a hangover. One of the main causes of hangover is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes you pee more. As well as putting pressure on the kidneys, this can lead to dehydration, which is in turn associated with headaches.

You are unlikely to experience a hangover after one drink. However, some people are more susceptible to alcohol or could experience an allergic reaction.

Alcohol is also believed to be a trigger for migraine and other types of headaches, including cluster headaches and tension-type headaches. The exact mechanism that links alcohol and these different types of headaches is not fully understood. But there is enough evidence to suggest that alcohol can trigger headaches – even after a single drink.

Common Types of Alcohol-Induced Headaches

There are a number of different types of headaches associated with drinking alcohol. The most common type of alcohol headache is a hangover. This is caused by dehydration and other factors, such as reactions to other ingredients in the alcoholic drink. Other headaches that may be triggered or made worse by drinking include:

Migraine

While severe headache is the most common symptom of a migraine, other symptoms can include problems with your sight, such as seeing flashing lights, extreme sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, fatigue and sickness. It is not fully understood what causes migraine, but many sufferers report ‘triggers’ that can start an attack.

These can include substances such as caffeine and alcohol, with one drink sometimes being enough to trigger a migraine. Other triggers can include stress, low blood sugar, lack of sleep and environmental factors such as heat and temperature.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are severe headaches that can happen multiple times a day and continue for long periods of time. Again, it is not fully understood what causes cluster headaches, and there may be multiple causes. Alcohol is a known trigger though and one study suggests that it may bring on attacks in about 50-80% of patients who suffer from this type of headache.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are very common, and most people will experience them sometimes. They are what you might think of as a ‘regular’ headache. Things like stress, sleep problems and caffeine can cause it.

Some people have reported alcohol-triggering tension headaches, but the scientific evidence is less conclusive than with migraine and cluster headaches.

Why Does Alcohol Give Me a Headache After One Drink?

As outlined above, drinking alcohol is associated with a number of different types of headaches. The exact mechanisms are not always clear, but there are a number of factors that could have a bearing. This includes biological and chemical factors, individual sensitivities and allergies, and personal factors.

Biological and Chemical Factors

While some of the processes behind alcohol-induced headaches are not always clear, some biological and chemical factors could have an effect.

The diuretic effect of alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can, in turn, cause a headache. Alcohol can cause blood vessels to expand, causing an increase in blood flow and subsequent elevation in blood pressure. This alone may be enough to trigger headaches. Chemicals called congeners, which are present in alcoholic drinks, are believed to be a potential trigger for migraines.

Individual Sensitivities and Allergies

Some people may have allergic reactions to the alcohol itself or to other substances in the alcoholic drink – such as grapes for wine or grains in whisky. Other substances include histamines, which are present in many alcoholic drinks but particularly red wine, sulphites from home-brew, yeasts and various additives. People sensitive to particular allergens may suffer wheeziness, skin flushes and headaches.

Personal Factors

Personal factors such as your age, sex, body weight, fitness and general health can also have an impact on how alcohol affects you and how you process it – including whether you get a headache. If you regularly suffer from conditions such as migraine or cluster headaches, alcohol can serve as a trigger.

Tips to Prevent Alcohol-Induced Headaches

Depending on the situation, you might be able to prevent or mitigate headaches caused by alcohol. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, pacing yourself and making sure you alternate with water can help you stay hydrated and avoid hangover headaches. It’s also good advice in general. Choosing low-congener drinks might also help in some cases. And if you have an allergy, you should avoid the types of drinks that trigger it.

If you still continue to experience headaches, however, especially after a single drink, you might be better off avoiding alcohol altogether.

Find Support Today

If you experience prolonged or frequent headaches, you should consult your GP. The NHS also says you should ask for an urgent GP appointment. Call 111 if you have a severe headache along with other symptoms, including numbness or weakness in the arms or legs and jaw pain when eating.

You should call 999 or go to A&E if you have a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful, have sudden problems speaking or remembering, feel drowsy or confused, or experience loss of vision.

If you are worried about your drinking and are finding it difficult to cut down, despite frequent headaches, seek expert help. Contact Nova Recovery today for guidance and support if you want to take control of your drinking.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 15, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.