Most people agree that there is a connection between caffeine and headaches. This type of headache occurs from being caffeine sensitive or from caffeine withdrawal. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid a caffeine headache is to avoid caffeine completely. Caffeine is found in coffee, teas and colas and even certain medications so avoiding it completely is not the easiest thing to do.

First off, lets discuss exactly what caffeine is and what it does. Caffeine is a stimulant. It can help you feel more alert by working on your central nervous system. Caffeine can also constrict blood vessels and can even increase blood pressure. As most of you know, caffeine is addictive and stopping it suddenly can have its withdrawals. Did you know that caffeine was once used as a treatment for headaches? Having a coca-cola when your headache first starts can help suppress a headache by its blood constricting properties. When you have a migraine the blood vessels actually increase in size, so it would seem natural that caffeine would work as a combative in this way. In this way caffeine may be a good thing of sorts but it does have its bad qualities.


The bad. it’s the combination of caffeine with sugar that is so harmful. Just as quickly as it helps revive you and make you feel more alert it can bring you back down just as fast. If your like me and suffer from migraines, drinking caffeine on an empty stomach is a bad idea. Try to have a small meal when drinking caffeine to help keep your blood sugar stable. Caffeine consumption has more negatives than just causing headaches. Its been known to decrease heart rates and can also damage the bladder and white blood cells. Caffeine also increase your risk of obesity, cause a depletion in calcium and can even dissolve tooth enamel.

The best way to avoid not only a caffeine headache, and all the other side effects as well, is to limit and even halt caffeine consumption. Try limiting your intake of caffeine to between 200-600mg a day. This is a helpful number to help reduce side effects if you don’t think you can completely cut caffeine from your diet. But try avoiding caffeine altogether. Slowly reduce the amount everyday, even if it takes two weeks you will benefit in the end. Don’t forget to read labels of not only soda but medications and even some foods, caffeine can be found in places you wouldn’t think.

After all this, if your not sure there is even a connection between your headaches and caffeine, consult your doctor. Keep track of how much caffeine you consume on average a day and take it with you to your visit. Doctor supervision and advice can help set you on the path to a healthy caffeine free lifestyle.