Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Alcohol and Migraine: What Should We Tell Patients?

  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alcoholic drinks are a migraine trigger in about one third of patients with migraine in retrospective studies on trigger factors. Many population studies show that patients with migraine consume alcohol in a smaller percentage than the general population. Moreover, research has shown a decreased prevalence of headache with increasing number of alcohol units consumed. The classification criteria of alcohol-related headaches remain problematic. We discuss the role and mechanism of action of alcohol or other components of alcoholic drinks in relation to alcohol-induced headache. In accordance with data from a recent prospective study, we believe that reports overestimate the role of alcohol, as well as other foods, in the triggering of migraine. If a relationship between the intake of alcohol and the migraine attack is not clear, a small dose of alcohol is not contraindicated either for enjoyment or its protective effect on cardiovascular disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. • Kelman L. The triggers or precipitants of the acute migraine attack. Cephalalgia 2007;27:394–402. This is the largest study on trigger factors of migraine.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Clifford Rose F. Food and headache. Headache Q. 1997;8:319–29.

    Google Scholar 

  3. •• Panconesi A. Alcohol and migraine: trigger factor, consumption, mechanisms. A review. J Headache Pain 2008;9:19–27. This is a comprehensive review on the relationship between alcohol and migraine.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hauge AW, Kirchmann M, Olesen J. Trigger factors in migraine with aura. Cephalalgia. 2010;30:346–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sun-Edelstein C, Mauskop A. Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches. Clin J Pain. 2009;25:446–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. •• Schurks M, Diener H-C. Cluster headache and lifestyle habits. Curr Pain Head Rep. 2008;12:115–21. This is a good review of alcohol consumption and smoking habits among patients with cluster headache.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. • Wober C, Brannath W, Schmidt K, et al. Prospective analysis of factors related to migraine attacks: the PAMINA study. Cephalalgia 2007:27:304–14. This is a large prospective study of migraine triggers.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders. Cephalalgia. 2004;24 suppl 1:1–160.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Olesen J, Steiner T, Bousser M-G, et al. Proposals for new standardized general diagnostic criteria for the secondary headaches. Cephalalgia. 2009;12:1131–6.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Littlewood JT, Gibb C, Glover V, et al. Red wine as a cause of migraine. Lancet. 1988;1:558–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Evans RW, Sun C, Lay C. Alcohol hangover headache. Headache. 2007;47:277–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Rasmussen BK, Olesen J. Symptomatic and non symptomatic headaches in a general population. Neurology. 1992;42:1225–31.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Howland J, Rohsenow DJ, Allensworth-Davies D, et al. The incidence and severity of hangover the morning after moderate alcohol intoxication. Addiction. 2008;103:758–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Slutske WS, Piasecki TM, Hunt-Carter EE. Development and initial validation of the hangover symptoms scale: prevalence and correlates of hangover symptoms in college students. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2003;27:1442–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kuster GW, da Silva AL Piraja, Aquino CH, et al. Frequency and features of delayed alcohol-induced headache among university students. Headache. 2006;46:688–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Scher AI, Terwindt GM, Picavet HSJ, et al. Cardiovascular risk factors and migraine. The GEM population-based study. Neurology. 2005;64:614–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Aamodt AH, Stovner LJ, Hagen K, et al. Headache prevalence related to smoking and alcohol use. The Head-HUNT Study. Eur J Neurol. 2006;13:1233–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. • Kurth T, Schurks M, Logroscino G, Buring JE. Migraine frequency and risk of cardiovascular disease in women. Neurology 2009;73:581–8. This is a cohort study among participants in the Women’s Health Study.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Molarius A, Tegelberg A, Ohrvik J. Socio-economic factors, lifestyle, and headache disorders—A population-based study in Sweden. Headache. 2008;48:1426–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Yokoyama M, Yokoyama T, Funazu K, et al. Associations between headache and stress, alcohol drinking, exercise, sleep, and comorbid health conditions in a Japanese population. J Headache Pain. 2009;10:177–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Hernandez-Barrera V, Carrasco-Garrido P, et al. Population-based study of migraine in Spanish adults: relation to socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and co-morbidity with other conditions. J Headache Pain. 2010;11:97–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Milde-Busch A, Blaschek A, Borggrafe I, et al. Associations of diet and lifestyle with headache in high-school students: results from a cross-sectional study. Headache. 2010;50:1104–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Garcia-Martin E, Martinez C, Serrador M, et al. Alcohol dehydrogenase 2 genotype and risk for migraine. Headache. 2010;50:85–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ramchandani VA, O’Connor S, Neumark Y, et al. The alcohol clamp: applications, challenges, and new directions—an RSA 2004 symposium summary. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006;30:155–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Wiese JG, Shlipak MG, Browner WS. The alcohol hangover. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:897–902.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Verster JC. The alcohol hangover—a puzzling phenomenon. Alcohol Alcohol. 2008;43:124–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. •• Rohsenow DJ, Howland J. The role of beverage congeners in hangover and other residual effects of alcohol intoxication: a review. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2010;3:76–9. This is a review of the few studies that assessed the effects of drinks with high or low content of congeners on hangover.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Damrau F, Liddy E. Hangovers and whisky congeners: comparison of whisky with vodka. J Nat Med Assoc. 1960;52:262–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Maxwell CR, Spangenberg RJ, Hoek JB, et al. Acetate causes alcohol hangover headache in rats. PLoS ONE. 2010;5:e15963. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015963.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Perrino Jr AC, Ralevski E, Acampora G, et al. Ethanol and pain sensitivity: effects in healthy subjects using an acute pain paradigm. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2008;32:952–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Jochum T, Boettger MK, Burkhardt C, et al. Increased pain sensitivity in alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Eur J Pain. 2010;14:713–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Ramchandani VA, Flury L, Morzorati SL, et al. Recent drinking history: association with family history of alcoholism and the acute response to alcohol during a 60 mg% clamp. J Stud Alcohol. 2002;63:734–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Deng XS, Deitrich RA. Ethanol metabolism and effects: nitric oxide and its interaction. Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2007;2:145–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gazzieri D, Trevisani M, Tarantini F, et al. Ethanol dilates coronary arteries and increases coronary flow via transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Cardiovasc Res. 2006;70:589–99.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. • Nicoletti P, Trevisani M, Manconi M, et al. Ethanol causes neurogenic vasodilation by TRPV1 activation and CGRP release in the trigeminovascular system of the guinea pig. Cephalalgia 2008;28:9–17. This article asserted that a vasodilatation of meningeal vessels by CGRP release may be relevant to the mechanism by which alcohol triggers migraine.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Dell’ Agli M, Buscialà A, Bosisio E. Vascular effects of wine polyphenols. Cardiovasc Res. 2004;63:593–602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Rathel TR, Samtleben R, Vollmar AM, Dirsch VM. Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by red wine polyphenols: impact of grape cultivars, growing area and the vinification process. J Hypertens. 2007;25:541–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. • Spaak J, Merlocco AC, Soleas GJ, et al. Dose-related effects of red wine and alcohol on hemodynamics, sympathetic nerve activity, and arterial diameter. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008;294:H605–12. In this article, some of the cardiovascular effects of ethanol and wine were characterized and compared in the same individual.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Bau PF, Bau CH, Naujorks AA, Rosito GA. Early and late effects of alcohol ingestion on blood pressure and endothelial function. Alcohol. 2005;37:53–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Stendel R, Irnich B, al Hassan AA, et al. The influence of ethanol on blood flow velocity in major cerebral vessels. A prospective and controlled study. Alcohol. 2006;38:139–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ashina M, Tfelt-Hansen P, Dalgaard P, Olesen J. Lack of correlation between vasodilatation and pharmacologically induced immediate headache in healthy subjects. Cephalalgia. 2010. doi:10.1177/0333102410394672.

    Google Scholar 

  42. • Panconesi A, Bartolozzi ML, Guidi L. Migraine pain: reflections against vasodilatation. J Headache Pain 2009;10:317–25. This article discusses the evidence against vasodilatation as migraine pain generator and some findings in support of central origin of the pain.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. • Panconesi A. Serotonin and migraine: a reconsideration of the central theory. J Headache Pain 2008;9:267–76. This review critically evaluates studies concerning variation of peripheral and central serotonin parameters in patients with migraine.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Rothman RB, Baumann MH. Serotonin releasing agents. Neurochemical, therapeutic and adverse effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2002;71:825–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Baylen CA, Rosemberg H. A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy. Addiction. 2006;101:933–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Wilkins C, Sweetsur P, Girling M. Patterns of benzylpiperazine/trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine party pill use and adverse effects in a population sample in New Zealand. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2008;27:633–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Thompson I, Williams G, Caldwell B, et al. Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of the ‘party pills’ BZP/TFMPP alone and in combination with alcohol. J Psychopharmacol. 2010;24:1299–308.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. • Kloner RA, Rezkalla SH. To drink or not to drink? That is the question. Circulation 2007;116:1306–17. This excellent review discusses the relationship between alcohol and cardiovascular diseases.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. • Schurks M, Rist PM, Bigal ME, et al. Migraine and cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2009:339. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3914. This is a comprehensive and good review on the association between migraine and cardiovascular disease.

  50. •• Martin PR. Behavioral management of migraine headache triggers: learning to cope with triggers. Curr Pain Head Rep. 2010;14:221–7. This article suggests learning to cope with triggers instead of avoidance. A revision of studies on migraine triggers also was conducted.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Cook CCH, Tarbet H, Ball D. Classically intoxicated: correlations between quantity of alcohol consumed and alcohol related problems in a classical Greek text. BMJ. 2007;335:1302–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Leone M, Vila C, McGown C. Influence of trigger factors on the efficacy of almotriptan as early intervention for the treatment of acute migraine in a primary care setting: the START study. Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10:1399–408.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Disclosures

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Headache Center, Department of Neurology, San Giuseppe Hospital, Viale Boccaccio 20, Empoli, FI, 50053, Italy

    Alessandro Panconesi, Maria Letizia Bartolozzi & Leonello Guidi

Authors
  1. Alessandro Panconesi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Letizia Bartolozzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Leonello Guidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alessandro Panconesi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Panconesi, A., Bartolozzi, M.L. & Guidi, L. Alcohol and Migraine: What Should We Tell Patients?. Curr Pain Headache Rep 15, 177–184 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0184-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0184-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation