If you consume caffeine on a daily basis and suddenly stop ingesting the substance, you may develop adverse reactions throughout your body. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that can cause your body to develop a chemical dependence. Quitting caffeine suddenly can cause muscle pain in your back, flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting and stiffness, according to CBS News. Report any symptoms to your doctor for further evaluation.
Caffeine Consumption
Caffeine is a widely consumed drug that occurs naturally in some food products and is added to others. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that affects your central nervous system and is naturally found in chocolate, tea and coffee. While the positive side effects of consuming caffeine may include increased mental awareness, the ability to keep you awake and waking you up in the morning, the substance may also cause equal negative side effects. Common side effects of consuming caffeine may include diarrhea, sleeplessness, stomach upset, fast heartbeat, nausea and tremors, according to Drugs.com.
Quitting Caffeine
If you consume caffeine on a daily basis and suddenly stop ingesting the substance, you may develop a wide range of symptoms. Back pain may be the result of muscle tightness or spasms in your back or it may be the result of referred pain from your head. Headaches are a common symptom of caffeine withdrawal that can cause pain to radiate from your head to your neck and back. MayoClinic.com explains that the severity of your symptoms may depend on how much caffeine you were ingesting daily and how long you’ve been consuming that amount. Symptoms may not be as severe if you slowly cut down on the amount of caffeine you ingest daily.
Caffeine Content
Talk with your doctor about every product you use that contains caffeine. Caffeine may be found in certain medications, over-the-counter supplements, energy drinks, soft drinks, coffee, tea and chocolate. The average 8-oz. cup of coffee contains about 133 mg of caffeine; a 12-oz. cup of cola contains about 69 mg of caffeine; and an 8-oz. cup of black tea contains about 53 mg of caffeine, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Treatment
If you develop back pain from quitting caffeine suddenly, your doctor may recommend easing off caffeine and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Some pain relievers combine the medication with caffeine for a better absorption rate. Avoid the use of these pain relievers to reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet.
