Almost 90 percent of Americans drink coffee daily and nearly half experience daily episodes of caffeine withdrawal, CNN reports. Skipping your daily dose of coffee may lead to caffeine withdrawal headache. Besides a severe headache, additional symptoms of withdrawal may include irritability, fatigue and decreased concentration. The more coffee consumed, the more severe the headache. Caffeine addiction may occur when you drink as little as one cup of coffee a day. Symptoms generally peak after 12 to 24 hours of stopping caffeine consumption, peak after one or two days and last between two and nine days, Johns Hopkins Medicine states. Pregnancy, medications, surgery and insomnia are several reasons people attempt to reduce caffeine consumption.
Understand How to Quit
Do not quit your coffee addiction cold turkey; this may simply lead to stronger headaches and symptoms. Slowly decreasing caffeine on a daily basis will ensure your headaches are manageable. Reduce the number of cups of coffee by one each day. Alternatively, do not serve yourself a full cup of coffee at each serving. Slowly decrease the amount of coffee in your cup by small amounts. Replace coffee with decaffeinated coffee or tea. An 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee contains between 95 to 200 mg of caffeine, while a cup of decaffeinated coffee has between 2 and 12 mg of caffeine. Black tea contains about half the caffeine of coffee. Decaffeinated black tea includes 2 to 10 mg of caffeine.
Rest
When a withdrawal headache begins and you feel like reaching for a cup of Joe to remedy the situation, your body may simply need rest. Dr. Elizabeth Livingston, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Medical Center, suggests recharging your body and resting your head with a 10 to 20 minute nap. Shut off the lights, play soft music and place a hot washcloth over your head to aid in relaxation when a caffeine headache is present.
Diet and Excercise
According to the Mayo Clinic, eating high-energy foods and staying hydrated may decrease the length and duration of a headache. Foods giving you a boost of energy may also decrease the temptation to grab a dose of caffeine. Avoid skipping meals and continue to hydrate your body with water. High-energy foods and snacks include fruits, nuts, protein bars and smoothies. Start a slow exercise program--simply taking a walk during your lunch break or joining a local yoga studio may keep your mind relaxed and your body energized if a caffeine withdrawal headache occurs. Don't exercise too vigorously, this may cause more severe headaches.
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