If you suffer from migraines, you probably do your best to steer clear of anything that might trigger them. “Migraine is a genetically driven neurologic disease. People with migraine have a more sensitive brain that reacts to internal and external changes,” says Dr. Nada Hindiyeh, MD, a neurologist who is fellowship-trained in headache medicine and the chief medical officer at Haven Headache & Migraine Center.“Migraine is a complex neurological condition, not just a bad headache,” says Dr. Fred Cohen, MD, a headache specialist, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and who regularly shares educational information about migraines on TikTok. Dr. Cohen explains that it’s not fully understood what’s happening during a migraine attack, but what is known is that there are changes in brain activity that affect nerves, blood vessels and neuropeptides. “You can think of it as a kind of inflammatory reaction,” he says. Dr. Hindiyeh says that stress, sleep disruption, hormonal shifts, skipped meals and dehydration can all activate an underlying sensitivity to migraines. “These triggers don’t cause migraine by themselves; they open the door for an attack in someone already predisposed,” she says.Certain foods and drinks can open the door for a migraine attack, too, including a very common one that many people who experience migraines aren’t aware of.?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
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Dr. Cohen explains that alcohol can trigger a migraine due to a few different reasons. One is that it’s a diuretic, which means it causes fluid loss. He also explains that alcohol causes blood vessels to widen, which can provoke migraine pain. “Also, some alcoholic drinks contain substances like histamines, sulfites and tyramine that may trigger migraines in sensitive individuals,” Dr. Cohen adds.
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But together, the combination of alcohol and caffeine can be detrimental. “Beverages that combine caffeine and alcohol can be especially problematic, and not just for migraines. Alcohol promotes dehydration, while caffeine can mask feelings of intoxication, making it easier to drink more than intended. Together, they can not only lead to a more severe hangover but also increase the risk of triggering a migraine or worsening symptoms like headache intensity, nausea and sleep disruption,” Dr. Cohen says.
Dr. Hindiyeh says drinks that combine alcohol and caffeine can be especially problematic when consumed at night. “While a lovely cocktail for brunch, at night it can be an issue,” she says. “You’re combining dehydration risk with sleep disturbance, which can be a not great combo for those who live with migraine.”
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What To Drink Instead
If you are going to have an alcoholic beverage, Dr. Hindiyeh recommends clear spirits, beer instead of wine, or if you are going to have wine, white wine over red wine.
Curious about what you should keep in mind when it comes to caffeine intake outside of cocktail hour? Dr. Cohen reiterates that caffeine can help or hurt; it depends on what your habits are. “However, too much caffeine can backfire, worsening jitteriness, nausea or headache pain. The effect depends on the person, the amount consumed and their usual caffeine intake. Also, if you stop consuming caffeine, you can get caffeine withdrawal, which can worsen headaches and migraine attacks,” he says.
With this in mind, if migraines are something you’re experiencing regularly, see your healthcare provider; they are not something anyone should “have to” live with. Until then, stay away from those espresso martinis and cheers with a less risky beverage instead.
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Sources:
Dr. Nada Hindiyeh, MD, neurologist who is fellowship trained in headache medicine and the chief medical officer at Haven Headache & Migraine CenterDr. Fred Cohen, MD, headache specialist, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiHe, S., Hasler, B.P., and Chakravorty, S., et al. (2019). Alcohol and sleep-related problems. Current Opinion in Psychology. 117-122. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.03.007Duan, S., Ren, Z., Xia, H., et al. (2022). Association between sleep quality, migraine and migraine burden.Frontiers in Neurology. 13:955298. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.955298Hence then, the article about never mix these 2 drinks if you suffer from migraines headache specialists advise was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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