Many migraine sufferers are suspicious of alcohol as a trigger for headaches

(Reuters Health) – – An investigation revealed that many migraine sufferers avoid alcohol, claiming that it can trigger severe headaches.

In the Netherlands, out of more than 2,000 migraine patients, more than one-third said that alcohol was a trigger for migraine. One-third of 650 patients who stopped using alcohol said it was to avoid triggering migraines. And 78% of patients who consumed alcohol mentioned red wine as a drink that could trigger an attack. Vodka was a trigger for only 8%.

The authors of the study write in the European Journal of Neurology whether alcohol is a reliable trigger for migraine – and why – are misunderstood. Alcohol seems to affect about one-third of people prone to migraines, and the amount of alcohol and time it takes to trigger a headache also varies, they note.

"Migraine patients often badociate the consumption of alcoholic beverages with their migraine attacks. . . However, patients report that alcoholic beverages do not systematically trigger attacks, "told Reuters Health, the study's lead author, Gerrit Onderwater of the Leiden University Medical Center at the University of Leiden. Netherlands.

These migraines are probably caused by alcohol mixed with several other factors, he said.

"Identifying the factors involved in triggering attacks may indicate compounds that could be avoided," he said in an email.

Onderwater and his colleagues found that about 36% of survey participants reported that alcoholic beverages were a trigger. For one-third of these patients, migraine started within three hours and for nearly 90%, within 10 hours. Patients felt that it took about two glbades to trigger an attack.

Nevertheless, among those who said that red wine was a trigger for them, only 9% said it caused a headache every time they drank it. Of those who said that vodka was a trigger, only 11% said they had a headache every time.

"Migraine sufferers already have burdens and limitations regarding different triggers. My patients always told me that it was forbidden for them to consume wine because they suffered from migraine, "said Dr. Abouch Krymchantowski of the Headache Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who said: Did not participate in the study.

Migraines can be triggered by certain types of red wine, including those containing more phenolic flavonoid components, he said. The combination of wine with other factors such as menstruation, stress, heat, certain foods, fasting or sleep deprivation can also affect migraines.

"I often have seizures when I combine wine with sleep deprivation, such as a long-term robbery," he told Reuters Health by e-mail. "The combination with other triggers increases the risk of an attack on tasting your favorite wine when you are relaxed and well."

"I think that many chronic pain conditions, including migraine headaches, can be significantly affected by lifestyle and behavior changes, and alcohol consumption is one of many behaviors that can be changed." Said Rachel Davis-Martin of the Medical School of the University of Mbadachusetts at Worcester. , who did not participate in the study.

Future studies could use smartphone apps and portable biosensors to record triggers and headaches on a daily basis to better understand when and when migraines begin, as well as the progression of migraines over time. she said.

"Migraines can be managed with medication and lifestyle choices, using the treatment options offered by doctors and health psychologists," she said in an email. "Although chronic pain states can be debilitating, people can do some things to improve their quality of life."

SOURCE: bit.ly/2FwSOJ5 European Journal of Neurology, online December 18, 2018.