Caffeine gets a bad reputation for causing headaches, and it is true that
one of the most common symptoms of
Caffeine withdrawal is a headache. However,
caffeine can also be used to treat certain types of headaches - specifically
migraines and tension headaches. Understand how caffeine affects
tension headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of
headache, and are often described as a constant dull
pain. During a tension
headache episode,
blood vessels dilate, or open wider than normal. Caffeine
actually helps the blood vessels to constrict, helping the headache subside.In
fact, analgesics with caffeine are 40% more effective than those without in treating
headaches. This explains why many people treat tension headaches with caffeine.
Understand how caffeine affects migraines. Migraine headaches
can occur for a variety of reasons, not all of which are completely understood.
Migraines often occur on one side of the head and can be made worse by light,
sounds, smells, or physical activity. Although it is not completely understood
why caffeine helps migraines, many health professionals think that it is
related to the fact that caffeine constricts blood vessels. Use
painkillers that include caffeine to treat migraines. Analgesics
containing caffeine can help with migraines. These include Excedrin, Anacin,
Midol, and other painkillers. However, overusing caffeine or analgesics can
make a migraine worse, so if you suffer from migraines, you should talk to your
doctor. Use caffeinated beverages to control migraines. Since
caffeine is a vasoconstrictor - constricting the blood vessels - caffeinated
beverages can help headaches. The key here is moderation. Use a cup of
coffee or two - or the equivalent amount of black tea or soda - and if your migraine
does not improve, see a doctor. Understand
that caffeine withdrawal can actually cause
headaches. In your quest to rid yourself of headaches
using caffeine, be careful how much caffeine you consume. Doctors generally do
not recommend consuming more than 250-300 mg of caffeine each day. Caffeine
withdrawal can actually cause headaches, when the blood vessels re-dilate. Many
people find that they need to gradually cut down on caffeine to lessen
withdrawal symptoms instead of stopping all at once. Do not use
caffeine if you are
pregnant or nursing. It is not
completely understood how caffeine affects nursing babies or unborn children,
so most medical professionals advise nursing and pregnant women not to use
caffeine. Coffee may not be the first thing you think of when you have a
migraine, but you might want to keep a mug of it handy if you are prone to
tension headaches or migraines. Like all headache remedies, results can vary,
and you should talk to a doctor for more information.
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