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.