Caffeine use can be a contributing factor in headaches. Headaches can occur if you ingest large amounts of caffeine, but may also occur if you decide to abruptly stop drinking coffee or soft drinks containing caffeine. Regulating the amount of caffeine you use can help you reduce or prevent caffeine-related headaches.
Identification
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can produce such positive mood effects as happiness, well-being, alertness and sociability, according to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning can help overcome any residual sleepiness and make you feel more alert. When you consume caffeine every day, your body becomes accustomed to regular doses of the stimulant. Altering the amount of caffeine you consume, whether significantly increasing or decreasing the amount, can cause headaches, as your body struggles to adjust to the new dosage.
Symptoms
In addition to headache, caffeine withdrawal can cause increased drowsiness, nausea, hot flashes, chills, muscle aches or stiffness, anxiety, mood swings and irritability. You may find that it is difficult to concentrate at work and may have more difficulty completing complex mental tasks. Ingesting large amounts of caffeine can cause headache, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, an increase in your metabolic rate and nervousness. St. John Providence Health System reports that these symptoms may occur if you consume 500mg or more of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to five or six cups of coffee.
Considerations
Caffeine, an ingredient in some medications, can be a contributing factor if you have rebound headaches, a type of headache that occurs due to dependence on a certain medication. Manufacturers add caffeine to some pain medications because caffeine helps the body absorb the medication more quickly and makes pain relievers 40 percent more effective, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Rebound headaches occur when you use pain medications more often than recommended and then stop using the medication. Not following dosage instructions for prescription and over-the-counter analgesics, anti-inflammatories and migraine medications can cause the headaches. Taking medication containing caffeine and also consuming caffeine may increase your risk of developing rebound headaches.
Treatment
Decreasing the amount of caffeine you use can help reduce headaches if you consume large amounts of caffeine every day. If you plan to stop using caffeine, a gradual reduction in consumption may result in fewer headaches than stopping consumption abruptly. Mixing non-caffeinated versions of your favorite beverages with the caffeinated forms can help you make the adjustment. If you suffer from rebound headaches, your doctor may also recommend that you gradually stop using the medication and replace pain medication with a preventive medication for your symptoms. When you stop using the pain medication causing your headaches, you may experience more severe headaches for two weeks or longer.
