Why do you often have headaches after drinking alcohol?
The ethanol in alcohol causes dehydration and dilation of blood vessels to the brain, causing headaches.
Headaches are a common symptom after drinking alcohol, no matter how much you drink. Here are the biological causes of this phenomenon, according toLive Strong.
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Body fluids and blood pressure
According to the American Headache Foundation, the ethanol in alcoholic beverages causes dehydration, which affects the fluid surrounding the brain, reducing blood pressure and blood flow to the brain. In addition, alcohol dilates the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. All of these changes can cause headaches.
Chemical
Certain chemicals in alcoholic beverages, such as tyramine and histamine, are thought to interact with brain chemicals and trigger headaches.
Personal reaction
Not everyone gets a headache after drinking alcohol. Usually, people who get this condition already feel uncomfortable or have unusual signs.
Research on the paperJournal of Headache Pain2012 showed that people who blush when drinking alcohol are more likely to get headaches. People with a history of migraines are also at higher risk of alcohol-induced headaches.
Stress
Alcohol headaches are also linked to stress. Drinking while stressed can cause headaches later.
