Drink Caffeinated Tea or Coffee and Reduce Alcohol Intake
Studies show that consuming beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea or coffee, may help reduce the pain associated with headaches. Caffeine boosts alertness, narrows blood vessels, and improves mood. It helps reduce the intensity of headache symptoms. Caffeine also helps increase the potency of common drugs used to treat headaches, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
However, studies have also shown that caffeine withdrawal can also cause headaches if you frequently consume large quantities of caffeine and suddenly stop. It is important to take caffeine in moderate quantities if you experience frequent headaches.
Taking an alcoholic drink may not lead to a headache in some people. However, studies show that alcohol can trigger migraines in about one-third of people who consume it. Alcohol intake may also contribute to tension headaches and cluster headaches, which are the most painful types of headaches. Alcohols can trigger headaches in various ways, like by activating certain neuronal pathways, causing inflammation, dilating blood vessels, and causing dehydration [5]. It is advisable for people who consume alcohol regularly to reduce their alcohol intakes to see if it improves their symptoms.