Headaches and Possible Triggers

Dear Ask The Doctor: I do not smoke cigarettes except with before dinner cocktails. Each night my spouse and I have approximately 3 cocktails before dinner and recently I began having a cigarette with each one. Subsequently I get a head pain in the very top (right side) of my head that only goes away after a night's sleep. The drinks I have are made with bourbon and diet soda (usually a cola). Could these head pains come from the cigarettes, or it the alcohol; or is it likely from some other cause?

Dear Patricia: It is possible that either or both can cause headaches. Try cutting down on these and see if the headaches improve. If not, then it will be high time for you to be checked by a doctor or a neurologist. I hope this helps.