Caffeine & Arthritis

Caffeine, found in coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, tea and some medications, stimulates the central nervous system. The effect caffeine has on various types of arthritis depends on your tolerance level, frequency of consumption and quantity of consumption. If you suffer from any form of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritis related condition, contact your doctor about your level of caffeine intake.

Sleep Cycle and Pain

People often turn to caffeine for a burst of energy when they feel tired. Unfortunately, when consumed late in the day or in large quantities, caffeine can interfere with your ability to sleep at night. "Excessive intake of caffeine may cause you to wake frequently throughout the night or suffer from insomnia," warns Dr. Michael Hall, a family physician for DuBois Regional Medical Center in DuBois, Pennsylvania. The combination of caffeine related sleep disturbances and the sleep disturbances caused by arthritis pain often leads to sleep deprivation and increased pain, Hall continues. He suggests keeping your caffeine intake to moderate levels and avoiding caffeine after lunch.

Gout

Regular consumption of caffeinated coffee may decrease your risk of gout, according to a study published in the June 2007 issue of "Arthritis and Rheumatism." The study looked at the intake of caffeine from various sources in 14,700 participants. The results of the study indicated that uric acid levels of participants who consumed 4 or more cups of coffee each day were higher than that of non-coffee drinkers. Elevated uric acid levels increase your risk of gout. Caffeine from other sources, including tea or food sources, did not affect uric acid levels, so it remains unclear if the increased uric acid levels were caused by caffeine or by other components of the coffee.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study in the November 2003 issue of "Arthritis and Rheumatism" explored the effect of caffeine consumption on the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The study compared food journals kept by 83,000 female participants over 18 years. Researchers found no significant association between the consumption of caffeine, in any form or amount, with the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis Drug Interactions

Discuss your caffeine use with your doctor, especially if you take methotrexate, corticosteroids or acetaminophen medications containing caffeine. Barbara Mendez, a registered pharmacist and nutritional consultant who runs a private practice in New York City, warns that caffeine may block methotrexate's ability to prevent inflammation. She also warns that when you drink coffee with corticosteroids, you may experience increased incidences of insomnia or other sleep disturbances. Finally, she warns that consuming caffeine in addition to the caffeine found in some acetaminophen preparations may damage your kidneys and liver.