The not-so-stupid question: why does alcohol give you a headache?
By Adrian Filoche
Published on
Whatever Patrice says – the audience’s favorite in the series The torch – alcohol is not always cool! Especially when we take each other a nasty migraine typical of a New Year’s a little too watered. We knew it, however, that this glass of champagne was one too many! But in fact, why alcohol gives headache ? This is the not so stupid question of this Sunday, January 1, 2023 to which the editorial staff of 76news.
Wine ages well, but not our liver
There are several reasons why drinking alcohol causes a headache. Leonardo, public health intern at the Rouen University Hospital gives the first explanations. “First of all, the decomposition of alcohol (ethanal) in the liver generates the release of acetaldehyde which is toxic, in particular for the brain. »
And the doctor specified: “It is the liver which must eliminate the ethanal, and that is why the more the liver ages, the more this elimination is slowed down, and the more difficult the tomorrows! »
Beware of dehydration !
Other elements make alcohol a headache. “Alcohol at a diuretic effect (this makes you want to urinate). So we get dehydrated. The body will then seek in the reserves, therefore those of the brain. And when the brain dries up, the migraine happens,” he continues. It is therefore advisable to drink water between glasses of alcohol and space them well.
Finally, “taking alcohol also has a vasodilator effect”, that is to say the dilation of blood vessels. “And when the alcohol is gone, the blood vessels constrict to return to normal. We are talking about vasoconstriction, and that is what caused a headache, ”discovered the specialist.
Consume better, enjoy better
You may have heard it at New Years, people who explain that certain alcohols are more likely to prevent a migraine, like champagne for example. ” This is not the case. Champagne does not give more headache than any other alcohol”assures Angelor Saint Preux Gauvain.
For the one who is at the head of the Instant champagne bar in Rouen, “It all depends on the consumption, the comment on going to drink it and what type of champagne you are going to buy. You have to choose it well”. And to add with a smile: “Champagne is very elegant, you have to associate it with a moment. It adapts to an event. We’re not here to stick it, “he says, smiling.
Thus, moderation, spacing out the glasses and drinking water regularly will reduce your risk of ending up with headaches after the evening of the 31st.
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