If you have chronic headaches, identifying and avoiding your triggers can substantially improve your quality of life. To determine if drinking is one of yours, it’s helpful to learn the signs of alcohol-induced headaches.

There are two well-recognized types of alcohol-related headaches. According to criteria from the International Classification of Headache Disorders:

An immediate alcohol-induced headache occurs within three hours of consuming alcohol (previously referred to as a cocktail headache). A delayed alcohol-induced headache, which can begin between five and 12 hours after consuming alcohol, (known as a hangover headache).

Alcohol-induced headaches tend to be bilateral (affect both sides of the head). A cocktail headache tends to have a pulsating or throbbing quality, while a hangover headache is typically associated with fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell.

Often, alcohol-induced headaches also have characteristics that resemble your usual headaches, whether they are migraines, cluster headaches, or tension headaches.

How Alcohol Triggers Headaches

There have been several proposed explanations for how alcohol causes headaches.

In addition to red wine, other alcoholic beverages, including beer, white wine, and liqueur, have also been reported as headache triggers.

Substances such as sulfites, histamine, and tyramines are found in alcohol and may contribute to headaches as well. It has also been proposed that alcohol triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to a headache.

Genetic Predisposition

It has been suggested that a tendency to experience alcohol-induced headaches could be genetic. And researchers suggest that experiencing an unpleasant effect from drinking alcohol may alter alcohol consumption.

In fact, many headache sufferers abstain from alcohol or consume less than the general population. Studies also show that alcohol abuse disorders are less common among people who experience headaches, indicating that a predisposition to alcohol-induced headaches may offer individuals some degree of protection from alcohol overuse.

When an Alcohol-Induced Headache Strikes

If you experience one of these headaches, the best strategies are:

Taking an over-the-counter pain medicationMaking sure you stay hydrated; opt for water and/or beverages with electrolytes, such as sports drinksEating something bland, if you are hungryGetting some rest

Generally, these episodes resolve within a few hours but can last up to a whole day.

A Word From Verywell

If drinking alcohol appears to be a potent headache trigger for you, then, by all means, abstain from it. But if a cocktail with friends once in a while or a glass of wine with your dinner on Saturday night does not seem to trigger a bad headache, then it’s probably OK. Moderation appears to be the key. Talk to your doctor about any concerns and about whether it is safe to drink alcohol with any medications you are taking.