What causes occipital headache after drinking alcohol?

Generally, a headache at the back of the head after drinking alcohol may be caused by factors such as alcohol metabolism, dehydration, alcohol poisoning, cervical spondylosis, or hypertension. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Alcohol Metabolism

During alcohol metabolism, acetaldehyde is produced. Acetaldehyde is a neurostimulant that can dilate blood vessels and trigger inflammatory responses, leading to headaches. The blood vessels and nerves at the back of the head are particularly sensitive to this stimulation, resulting in pain. It's important to maintain adequate hydration to help dilute the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream and promote its metabolism and elimination.

2. Dehydration

Alcohol has a diuretic effect, which can easily lead to bodily dehydration. Dehydration causes blood to become more concentrated, lowers blood pressure, and reduces cerebral blood supply, thereby triggering headaches—especially noticeable at the back of the head. It is advisable to replenish fluids promptly by drinking plenty of water or electrolyte-containing beverages to restore fluid balance.

3. Alcohol Poisoning

Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to alcohol poisoning, which interferes with normal nervous system function and affects cerebral cortex activity, potentially increasing intracranial pressure and causing pain at the back of the head. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Immediate medical care is necessary. Treatment should follow medical advice and may include medications such as metadoxine tablets, sublingual apomorphine hydrochloride tablets, and vitamin B1 tablets.

4. Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis may result from chronic strain or poor posture. It involves degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral discs and bone spurs, which can compress nerve roots and blood vessels. Alcohol may cause neck muscle relaxation, increasing stress on the cervical spine and triggering pain at the back of the head. Patients may also experience neck stiffness and numbness in the upper limbs. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as Jingfukang granules, celecoxib capsules, and adenosylcobalamin tablets may be used to relieve symptoms.

5. Hypertension

Hypertension may be caused by factors such as poor diet or genetic predisposition. Alcohol can cause blood vessel dilation and increase cardiac workload, leading to elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure exerts stress on cerebral blood vessels, resulting in pain at the back of the head. Symptoms may include dizziness, palpitations, and chest tightness. As directed by a physician, medications such as nifedipine tablets, amlodipine besylate tablets, and metoprolol tartrate tablets may be used to alleviate symptoms.

After drinking, it is important to drink plenty of water. Increased fluid intake promotes the excretion of alcohol through urine and reduces irritation to the blood vessels in the head.