For individuals who don’t experience migraines, their most intense “headache” may stem from a hangover after a night of heavy drinking. However, a migraine hangover is a more complicated condition—it signifies a particular phase of a migraine attack that begins after the peak headache subsides. To distinguish between the two, it’s essential to recognize the symptoms of a migraine hangover and seek appropriate treatment and remedies.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a type of headache that is an extreme form of it, often lasting for a long duration and causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It can last up to 2 days and can be very painful and disruptive.

Several factors can trigger a migraine, including exposure to extreme brightness, hangover,  weather conditions, fatigue, or changes in blood flow in the brain.

What is a Hangover?

A hangover refers to the condition experienced after excessive intake of alcohol, to the point of intoxication, with the aftereffects felt the next morning known as a hangover.

What is a Migraine Hangover?

A migraine hangover, also known as the postdrome phase, consists of various non-headache symptoms that occur after the migraine head pain has ceased and before you return to your normal state. These symptoms may persist for a few hours to several days.

Migraine Hangover Symptoms

• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or drained, which can last for several hours to more than a day after the acute headache has subsided.
• Cognitive difficulties: Experiencing brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems.
• Mood changes: Feeling depressed, anxious, or unusually euphoric.
• Physical discomfort: Ongoing non-headache discomfort, such as muscle weakness, neck stiffness, or sensitivity to light and sound continuing from the headache phase.
• Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or experiencing balance issues.
• Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss can persist even after the headache is gone.
• Sensitivity to stimuli: Continued sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes smells or touch.
• Concentration difficulties: Problems with focusing on tasks at work or school.
• Dehydration: A sense of dehydration or the need for more fluids post-migraine.
• Changes in sleep patterns: Sleeping more or less than usual or experiencing disruptions in sleep quality.

How to Prevent Migraine Hangover

Migraine hangovers can get better or be easier to handle by keeping up with good habits to prevent headaches. Doing these things regularly can make the hangover from a migraine shorter and less intense.

Drinking plenty of water during a migraine and doing simple activities like stretching can help you heal. It’s important to stay away from things that make the hangover worse, like too much noise or light.

For some, drinking caffeine early on can help, but for others, it might make things worse. Eating comforting foods, using ice packs or warm pads, getting massages, and resting more can all help make you feel better during a migraine hangover. Trying to ignore it and keep going can make it take longer to get better and might even cause another migraine. So, it’s best to take it easy and rest.

IV for Hangover

An IV for hangover can effectively treat migraine hangovers by directly delivering hydration, vitamins, and medication into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for faster relief. This method can quickly address dehydration, one of the main contributors to migraine hangover symptoms, and replenish essential nutrients lost during a migraine attack.

Conclusion

Migraine hangovers can be quite disruptive and may spoil your day. While numerous remedies are suggested online, their effectiveness is often limited. However, IV treatments for hangovers have proven to be highly effective. Consider booking your appointment today for an IV treatment for migraines and hangovers at Manhattan IV Therapy, where you can find relief and support for your symptoms.