A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within as little as three hours after drinking alcohol.

It’s not the same as ahangover headache, which occurs the morning after drinking too much.

A cocktail headache develops the same evening, and even a tiny amount of alcohol can trigger it.

What’s a Cocktail Headache Like?

Verywell / Emily Roberts

How long will a cocktail headache last?

It can persist for up to 72 hours from when it starts.

A headache that sets in the next day is a symptom of a hangover.

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What Causes a Cocktail Headache?

The mechanism through which alcohol can trigger these distinct headache disorders is not well understood.

The jot down of alcohol does not seem to affect whether a person gets a headache.

Drink lots of water to rehydrate your body and help flush the alcohol from your system.

A sports drink with electrolytes is also helpful for this purpose.

give a shot to eat some fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are helpful for alcohol-induced headache recovery.

Mango, thyme, ginger, and asparagus are known to contain helpful properties for this purpose.

Do not take Tylenol (acetaminophen), as doing so will overtax yourliver.

In other words, the best treatment for a cocktail headache is actually preventing one in the first place.

Drinking plenty of water before having a drink should also help ward a cocktail headache off.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your “cocktail headache” plan.

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Summary

A cocktail headache is a headache that occurs within the same evening of drinking alcohol.

Unlike a hangover headache, cocktail headaches can be resulting from even small amounts of alcohol.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and alcohol should never be mixed.

The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version).Cephalalgia.

2016 Jan;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hangover headache.

Krymchantowski AV, da Cunha Jevoux C.Wine and headache.Headache.