Vestibular Migraines: How Alcohol Can Worsen Symptoms and Trigger Attacks, one common explanation is dehydration, which in turn can lead a vestibular migraine attack.
Dehydration
Alcohol dehydrates the body because it acts as a diuretic. This means it increases urine production and the amount of fluid lost through urination. In other words, the body is losing more fluids than it is taking in. Alcohol also interferes with the production of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps the body retain water. When ADH levels are decreased, the body produces more urine and loses more fluid. Additionally, alcohol can increase thirst, causing people to drink more alcohol and further dehydrating the body.
Histamine Intolerance
Alcohol contains histamine, which is a chemical that can cause headache in certain individuals who are intolerant to it. If your body is unable to break down histamine, it can cause symptoms such as migraines. Also other symptoms like flushing, hives, and digestive issues after consuming histamine-rich foods or drinks.
Histamine intolerance is caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Enzyme deficiency: The body needs an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO) to break down histamine. People with histamine intolerance have a low level of this enzyme, causing histamine to build up in the body.
- Increased histamine levels: Certain conditions such as leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation.
- Histamine-rich foods: Certain foods, such as fermented foods, aged cheeses, cured meats, and red wine, contain high levels of histamine. Which are also a migraine trigger foods.
- Medications: antihistamines and painkillers, can interfere with the body’s ability to break down histamine, leading to intolerance.
Additives and preservatives
Additionally, some people may have an allergic reaction to the additives and preservatives found in certain alcoholic beverages. Also preservatives such as Sulfites are migraine triggers as well.
It’s worth noting that some alcoholic beverages, such as wine, may contain higher levels of sulfites hence being one of the major triggers for migraineurs.
Additives and preservatives in alcohol can have a range of effects on the body, and some individuals may experience adverse reactions to them. Here are a few common effects:
Quantity
In other words…too much alcohol can cause changes in brain chemistry and increase inflammation, leading to migraine attacks. Alcohol can also changes in blood sugar levels and will likely interfere with sleep quality and duration. All these changes will likely trigger a migraine or make the symptoms worse
The logical conclusion is to drink in moderation, stay hydrated by drinking water along with alcohol, and choose lower histamine and additive-free alcoholic drinks. The type of alcohol consumed can also contribute to headaches, with red wine and dark liquors being more likely to cause headaches compared to clear liquors like vodka and gin. Also you can try adding a Wine Sulfite Filter To Remove Sulfite And Histamine to your drink so you can have an enjoyable drink without the effects.
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