Hangover headache: accompanying symptoms. Vågå study of headache epidemiology

Abstract

As part of the Vågå study of headache epidemiology, the symptomatology of hangover headache has been studied in 1122 parishioners in the age group 18–65 years; male/female ratio 1.14. The following criteria for hangover headache were adhered to: (1) intoxication by alcohol, (2) headache, and (3) onset of headache >3 hours after discontinuation of drinking. As demonstrated elsewhere, headache was present in 64% of the cases. Throbbing was present in 85% of those affected, nausea in 60% and vomiting in 25%, with significant male preponderance for all three. Photo- and phonophobia were more rarely present. Not only does hangover headache seem to be more frequent in males—as previously demonstrated; it also seems to be more severe in males. Ninety per cent of the hangover headache victims felt that the gastro-intestinal symptoms originated in the gastro-intestinal tract and were not secondary to the headache.

Hangover headache: various manifestations and proposal for criteria. Vågå study of headache epidemiology

“…In Scandinavia, with a "Nordic" drinking pattern, the beverage much of the time consists of hard liquor [2] (Table 5), so there is obviously a high prevalence of hangover headache.…”

“…Besides the headache, the g-i symptoms were of particular interest, and symptoms characterising the headache, like intensity, photo-and phonophobia, nausea etc., were routinely asked about. The symptomatology of hangover headache, as, for example, presented in connection with the Vågå study [2], will -naturally -to some extent be characterised by the questions asked.…”

“…A heavy, pulse-synchronous throbbing, probably also mainly anteriorly, seems to be one of the most regular and characteristic symptoms of hangover headache [2,14]. The pounding may lead to inactivity, partly because postural changes, stooping [2] and head movements [14] exacerbate it. Photophobia and phonophobia, in other words: rather typical "migrainous" symptoms, can also occur [2].…”

“…The complaints during attack mainly seem to pertain to two major symptom categories: headache and gastro-intestinal (g-i) upset. The g-i discomfort in hangover headache in Vågå has been described elsewhere [2].…”

“…The complaints during attack mainly seem to pertain to two major symptom categories: headache and gastro-intestinal (g-i) upset. The g-i discomfort in hangover headache in Vågå has been described elsewhere [2].In the present communication, particular attention will be paid to localisation, duration and intensity of the headache. The connection between red wine and headache will also be touched upon.…”