A hangover is more than just a headache as it produces neurological disorders that affect the execution and coordination of movements, attention and memorization processes, as well as visuospatial abilities. Neurologists remember that a couple of glasses of wine or 3 beers increases the risk of migraine, hangover and other headaches.
- It is common to hear about the long-term negative effects of drinking alcohol in large quantities, however, contrary to what is believed, heavy alcohol consumption on specific days also has immediate neurological consequences. This is so because alcohol is a natural enemy of the nervous system and a powerful neurotoxin.
- What is considered excessive alcohol consumption? Well, starting with a couple of glasses of wine or 3 beers (as well as 3 glasses of cava/champagne), in the case of people who suffer from migraines or other headaches, multiplies the probability of suffering crises. Sometimes they can even occur even at really low doses of alcohol consumption, depending on the sensitivity of each patient.
- Celebrations can also increase the frequency of migraine attacks due to dietary excesses, changes in the rhythm of life and abandonment or irregular compliance with anti-migraine treatments previously prescribed by doctors.
The hangover, more than just a headache
- Another effect of excesses with alcohol is a hangover, something more than a headache. The hangover also produces dehydration, autonomic symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea) and important neuropsychological disorders, such as difficulties when making decisions ; sequence, execute and coordinate movements; disorders of attention and memorization processes; and compromise of visuospatial skills, such as spatial orientation and distance calculation.
- “Neuropsychological disorders due to hangovers can significantly interfere with normal vehicle driving,” says Dr. Samuel Díaz, Coordinator of the Headache Study Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN).
- In Spain, the percentage of “sporadic excessive drinkers” (at least once a week) is increasingly numerous and begins at younger ages. “The population should know that excessive alcohol consumption takes its toll. Alcohol increases the risk of brain processes such as depression and epilepsy, and the higher the dose, the greater the risk,” says Dr. Díaz Inca. Excessive consumption at an early age seems to be an important risk factor for future alcoholism.
- In addition, ” when the consumption of alcohol is accompanied by other neurotoxic substances such as tobacco, cannabis, cocaine and other drugs, the damage to the nervous system is enhanced, which can cause loss of neurons in certain areas of the frontal lobes, hippocampus, cerebellum, in addition toincrease the risk of heart attack and cerebral hemorrhage “, affirms Díaz Insa. Its victims number in the millions and many are women.
- Migraine –also known as migraine– is a type of headache that affects 12% of the Spanish population. Most of the patients are women because hormones (estrogens) play a relevant role in the development of this ailment.In addition, it is estimated that of the more than four million Spaniards affected, 1.2 million are chronic -they suffer pain more than 15 days a month – and they are unable to perform any work during the duration of the crises.