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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If your go-to drink of choice in social situations is an espresso martini, Jack and Coke or Red Bull vodka, you may want to rethink your order if you regularly get migraines. According to the headache experts we talked to, combining caffeine and alcohol can be a migraine trigger.
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.
Dr. Hindiyeh points out that alcohol can disrupt sleep, and lack of sleep can lead to migraines.
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What happens when you throw caffeine into the mix? On its own, Dr. Hindiyeh says that caffeine is a double-edged sword. She says that it doesn’t tend to trigger migraines as long as one’s caffeine use is consistent. For example, if you’re used to having a cup of coffee every morning, switching to consuming more or less than that could lead to a migraine.
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.
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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.”
She explains that this combination creates two stressors for the brain at once: alcohol dehydrates while caffeine stimulates. She adds that both caffeine and alcohol interfere with sleep, and again, not getting enough sleep is definitely not recommended for anyone, but especially those who regularly get migraines.
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What To Drink Instead
Clearly, espresso martinis aren’t a wise choice to order during a night out if you regularly get migraines. What’s a safer bet? For social settings, Dr. Hindiyeh recommends mocktails with ginger, citrus or berries. She says that sparkling water, herbal teas and electrolyte water can be beneficial to drink too.
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.
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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.
Dr. Hindiyeh adds that it’s also important to remember that migraines are a neurological condition, so you shouldn’t blame yourself when you get them. “Anyone struggling with frequent migraines should know there are many effective prevention and acute treatments now, including newer medications and FDA-cleared devices,” she 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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