Many people have experienced the pain of a migraine headache. The intense pain usually lasts anywhere from four hours to three days, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Although caffeine is commonly used as part of migraine treatment, it also may trigger a migraine headache. Learning more about the connection between caffeine and migraines can help you determine when and how to consume caffeine, as well as when to seek other headache treatments for your migraine pain.
Caffeine as a Cause
Excessive caffeine consumption can actually trigger a migraine headache. Individuals who regularly consume large amounts of caffeine may experience withdrawal headaches on days they do not consume caffeine. Limit your daily caffeine intake to 200 to 300 mg of caffeine a day or less to decrease your chances of becoming physically dependent on caffeine, suggests the MayoClinic.com.
Caffeine as a Treatment
Although caffeine withdrawal can cause a migraine, caffeine often can effectively treat migraine headaches. The Cleveland Clinic notes that the addition of caffeine to a pain reliever makes the medication up to 40 percent more effective. Caffeine also helps your body absorb the pain medication better, which makes the pain go away faster. However, there are some disadvantages from using caffeine as a treatment. Those who frequently use caffeine may experience something known as a rebound headache. Although the caffeine temporarily eases the pain of the migraine, the headache returns when the caffeine wears off. This is common in people who regularly consume large amounts of caffeine and those who abuse caffeinated medications. Too much caffeine may also cause other unpleasant side effects, such as anxiety, irritability, muscle tremors and gastrointestinal upset.
Considerations
If you use caffeinated pain relievers to effectively treat migraines that are not caused by caffeine withdrawal, you should avoid using these medications more than nine days each month, suggests MayoClinic.com. This decreases the likelihood of your body becoming tolerant to the caffeinated medication.
Alternatives
Many migraine treatments do not require the use of caffeine. Some natural headache treatments include laying in a quiet and dark room, applying an ice pack or warm washcloth to your forehead or gently massaging your head, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. Non-caffeinated pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may also help the migraine pain go away. If these treatments do not work for you, consider talking to your doctor about prescription migraine medications.
Member Comments