Excessive amounts of caffeine can cause various symptoms, including sleep problems, restlessness and irritability. In certain situations caffeine consumption can also cause headaches. However, not consuming caffeine if you regularly consume large amounts can also cause headaches, so gradually reduce your caffeine intake rather than stopping it suddenly. Caffeine may also help treat headaches when used properly.
Headache Treatment
Headache medications that contain caffeine may help stop headaches better than those without caffeine, allowing you to take a smaller dose. Caffeine helps the body absorb the medication better and faster, according to the National Headache Foundation. Just be aware of the effect this type of medication has on you so you take the appropriate amount.
Rebound Headache
If you overuse headache medications, including those with caffeine and those without, you may develop a type of headache called a rebound headache. No amount of medication will cure this type of headache; you need to stop taking medication altogether to get rid of it. Consuming caffeine from other sources while taking headache medication can increase your risk for this type of headache.
Caffeine Withdrawal
If you consume over 500 mg or 600 mg of caffeine per day, you may feel caffeine withdrawal symptoms if you don't get your regular amount of caffeine each day. These include headaches, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, depression and flu-like symptoms. Gradually reducing your regular intake of caffeine and keeping it low minimizes your risk for caffeine withdrawal, since withdrawal is experienced mainly by those with high caffeine intakes.
Considerations
Pregnant women need to limit their caffeine consumption to 200 mg per day, which is about the amount found in one cup of coffee. Caffeine isn't only found in coffee. Other sources include tea, chocolate, cola and some other sodas, as well as certain medications. When calculating your caffeine consumption you need to take into account all caffeine sources.
References
- Science Daily; Caffeine Withdrawal Headache Explained: Your Brain On -- And Off -- Caffeine; May 2009
- National Headache Foundation: Caffeine and Headache
- Cleveland Clinic: Caffeine and Headache
- CNN News; Beware the Perils of Caffeine Withdrawal; Judy Fortin; April 2009
- Drugs.com; Caffeine Side Effects; April 2011
