The Risks Of Drinking Coffee
Some studies have also linked diseases to coffee consumption. These include:
- Cancers of the bladder, pancreas, and esophagus
- Heart diseases
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
Its also interesting to note that coffee was once considered carcinogenic, but WHO has taken off coffee on their list. Diseases linked to the consumption of coffee are correlational and do not involve causation.
Cancers of the bladder linked with coffee consumption are mainly due to peoples tendency to drink the needed amount of water. This can lead to urinary tract infections and is a likely precursor to cancers.;
The same goes with esophageal cancers. Coffee is naturally acidic and people with pre-existing GERD will experience a worsening of symptoms by drinking acidic beverages. GERD is more likely to be a precursor to developing cancer and not coffee.
Caffeine in coffee has been directly attributed to insomnia and sleep disorders. Caffeine is a stimulant and will disrupt your natural sleeping patterns, so it shouldnt be taken at night.
Caffeine Dependence And Addiction
Similar to other addictive substances, excessive caffeine consumption can make you become physically addictive. That is because the component can result in changes in the brains chemistry.
Since caffeine can block adenosine receptors, brain cells tend to release more to compensate. In turn, these receptors require you to take in more caffeine to prevent fatigue and tiredness. This would make coffee drinkers develop tolerance to caffeine in the long run.
In addition, cutting off your caffeine intake abruptly can leave the brain with lots of free receptors, which can be bound by the adenosine. As a result, you can experience many withdrawal symptoms, especially a strong feeling of exhaustion.
Study: Excess Caffeine Intake Is A Migraine Trigger
In a study in The American Journal of Medicine, 98 participants with episodic migraine completed an electronic diary each morning and evening for six weeks.
Within the diary, the participants reported their caffeinated beverage intake, as well as their migraine characteristics and other lifestyle factors .
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Dealing With Caffeine Excess
If you believe youre consuming too much caffeine, write down everything you drink or eat that contains it. Look for other symptoms that might indicate youre consuming too much caffeine, such as tremors and irregular heartbeats. Also, try eating something along with your coffee, so the caffeine wont hit you on an empty stomach. Caffeine on an empty stomach can trigger side effects more rapidly.
- If you believe youre consuming too much caffeine, write down everything you drink or eat that contains it.
- Look for other symptoms that might indicate youre consuming too much caffeine, such as tremors and irregular heartbeats.
What Causes Migraine Attacks
People living with migraine typically deal with recurrent, pulsating headaches that can be severe.
These headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to almost 3 days and sometimes include symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.
While researchers are still trying to get to the bottom of why migraine attacks happen, they can be caused by a variety of known triggers, including:
- changes in the weather
- hormones
Medications used to treat migraine also sometimes cause more attacks if theyre used more than 10 days out of the month.
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Migraine Headaches: Still Mysterious After All These Years
Migraine headaches are quite common: more than a billion people reportedly suffer from migraines worldwide. Yet, the cause has long been a mystery and it still is.
Until recently, the going theory was that blood vessels around the brain go into spasm, temporarily constricting and limiting blood flow. Then, when the blood vessels open up, the rush of incoming blood flow leads to the actual headache.
That theory has fallen out of favor. Now, the thinking is that migraines are due to waves of electrical activity spreading across the outer portions of the brain, leading to inflammation and overreactive nerve cells that send inappropriate pain signals. Why this begins in the first place is unknown.
Migraines tend to run in families, so genetic factors are likely important. In addition, chemical messengers within the brain, such as serotonin, may also play a central role in the development of migraines, though the mechanisms remain uncertain.
People prone to migraines may experience more headaches after coffee consumption , but coffee itself, or the caffeine it contains, is not considered the actual cause of migraines. Certain foods or drinks like coffee are thought to trigger episodes of migraine, but the true cause is not known.
An Extra Cup Of Coffee Could Up The Odds Of A Migraine
Drinking an extra cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage could up the odds of a migraine among those prone to getting them, a new study suggests.
Harvard researchers found that having a third cup of coffee, for example, if you regularly drink one to two, might trigger an extreme headache, according to the study published Thursday in The American Journal of Medicine.
In patients with episodic migraine, one to two caffeinated drinks were not associated with getting a migraine on the same day, said the studys lead author, Elizabeth Mostofsky, a postdoctoral fellow at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an instructor of epidemiology at Harvards T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Three drinks, however, were linked to a greater risk of having a migraine that day, she said.
These findings would suggest that you limit yourself to no more than two servings a day of caffeinated beverages, Mostofsky told NBC News.
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Wellness Health And Wellbeing Tips
Many people also have symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick and increased sensitivity to light or sound.
The Migraine Research Foundation states that migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world and affects approximately 1.04 billion adults worldwide.
In the prospective cohort study, 98 adults completed electronic diaries every morning and every evening for at least six weeks.
Methylene Chloride And Headache
In addition to caffeine dependence, decaf coffee might cause a headache due to the amount of methylene chloride in the drink.
Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent in the decaffeination process. Though it is highly volatile and can vaporize at high temperatures, a small amount might be left after the process.
Studies have shown that methylene chloride is a carcinogen. It means that the substance can increase the risk of cancer and affect important body organs like the central nervous system, liver, and lungs.
Taking in even a small trace, approximately 200 ppm, could slow down your central nervous system temporarily, thus affecting hand-eye coordination and attention. In addition, you can experience a headache, drowsiness, irritability, lightheadedness, wheezing, and coughing.
The use of this solvent in the decaffeination procedure has raised some concern among coffee consumers and community. Some scientists believe that as long as the products contain less than 0.001 per cent or 10 ppm of residual methylene chloride, the risk is insignificant.
Many companies also turn to ethyl acetate as an alternative solvent to remove caffeine. This is an organic substance that offers pleasant tastes and odour of many fruits like bananas, apples, pineapples, kiwis, or strawberries.
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Caffeine Can Also Trigger Headaches
But be careful: its about not consuming too much caffeine. If you increase your caffeine consumption but drink less water, caffeine can even indirectly cause headaches. Because: Caffeine has a dehydrating effect. So you have to make sure that you always drink enough water.
Another factor that causes headaches when consuming too much caffeine is the increased risk of addiction. Those who consume too much caffeine can develop addictive symptoms. If you drink more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day for more than two weeks, there is already a risk of addiction. If you then suddenly reduce or stop your consumption, you could experience symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Such as the diagnostic manual of psychiatrists and psychologists, the DSM describes headache is the main symptom of it.
Caffeine narrows the blood vessels around the brain. After a strong reduction or the complete abandonment of regular consumption, the vessels therefore expand again. This leads to a significant increase in blood flow in the brain, which can lead to migraines. If you want to get rid of caffeine, you shouldnt stop suddenly. Gradually reduce your consumption over the course of several days. This can help minimize the intense withdrawal headaches, recommends Stephens. According to the American Migraine Foundation One can avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms by reducing caffeine consumption to just 25 milligrams per day. This is how much caffeine, for example, a Fritz-Kola contains.
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Effects Of Caffeine On The Brain
When you drink coffee, caffeine can be absorbed quickly by the gut before it reaches the brain. Once there, the substance brings a stimulating effect on brain cells.
This is because the chemical structure of caffeine is similar to that of adenosine, which has relaxing effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, caffeine can fit into the brains adenosine receptors, thus preventing them from making you feel tired.
In turn, the blocked adenosine receptors trigger the production of dopamine and other natural stimulants. This further reduces tiredness and increase alertness. The end effects of caffeine on the brain is improved motivation, self-confidence, concentration, and a feeling of alertness.
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Question: Why Does Coffee Give Me A Headache
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Caffeine can trigger a headache. And because caffeine narrows the blood vessels that surround the brain, when consumption is stopped, the blood vessels enlarge. This causes an increase in blood flow around the brain and pressures surrounding nerves. This can then trigger what is known as a caffeine withdrawal headache.
How Caffeine Affects Migraine
You may think caffeine is a good migraine fix. Why not? Its on Excedrin Migraine. Ive even seen it recommended on Pinterest posts for curing a migraine, which is the holy grail of self help/cooking ideas. This is because caffeine has a stimulant effect that opens up blood vessels in your brain, allowing for some relief of the headache. Although it can be an effective abortive when used very sparingly, unfortunately its not a permanent cure. Using Excedrin for every migraine or drinking coffee can even lead to rebound headaches.
Theres still conflicting information on this subject, which is understandable considering the great dependency on caffeine that we have. In my personal opinion, people make excuses to have it around because they are so addicted to it, its unimaginable to give up. In my case, I was so desperate to feel normal again, I gave up all my favorite things like aged cheese, red wine, and even my morning latte.;
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How To Minimize Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches
If youre trying to reduce your caffeine dependency by dialing back on your intake, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can put a damper on your efforts. Minimize caffeine withdrawal headaches using the following techniques:
- Wean off your caffeine intake gradually by reducing your intake by 25% each week. You can also try swapping out some of your regular coffee with decaf if you crave the taste of a steaming cup of coffee.
- Read food labels to ensure that youre not consuming extra caffeine you arent aware of.
- Use peppermint oil topically to help relieve inflammation and tighten muscles associated with headaches.
- Drink plenty of water since dehydration can cause the brain to shrink in volume and cause a headache.
- Apply an ice pack to your head to alter the blood flow or numb the area.
- Stimulate pressure points to relieve muscle tension, which can cause headaches.
- Get enough rest by taking naps or going to bed earlier than usual.
Caffeine headaches can be caused by a variety of triggers and withdrawal is one of the most common reasons. You can track your caffeine intake and notice how your body reacts so you can adjust your consumption and find the best way to wean your body from caffeine dependency while minimizing the withdrawal symptoms.
IN THIS SECTION
Coffee And Chocolate Most Common Dietary Triggers For Migraine
As researchers examined what food and drinks were most commonly linked to migraine and tension-type headache in Malaysian patients, they found that coffee and chocolate were reported most often.
Globally, individuals experience headache; however, there is limited data and research on certain factors that influence headache around the world. A recent study examined the dietary trigger factors of migraine and tension-type headache in Malaysian patients, finding that coffee and chocolate are the most common.
The researchers recruited patients presenting with migraine and TTH to a neurology clinic between April 2010 and June 2017 for the study. Each patient received a comprehensive dietary list consisting of 25 specified types of food and drink items, in addition to other unspecified types of food and drink items, which were potential dietary triggers.
An assessment of the trigger factors of headache will be beneficial and important in the management of headache, the study explained. Moreover, the headaches which are presented to the secondary or tertiary care clinics are burdensome to the patients. The frequent headaches and especially the disabling headaches, may make the trigger factors more obvious to the patients.
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How Much Caffeine You Should Consume To Relieve Headaches
Overall, Stephens says it’s important to consume caffeine in moderation. That way, you can stave off any potential episodes of withdrawal.;
“The right amount is under 400 mg of caffeine per day,” says Stephens. That’s around two to four cups of coffee, depending on how long it’s brewed for, as well as how strong the coffee you’re drinking is.
If You Have Migraines Put Down Your Coffee And Read This
- By Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
During medical school, a neurologist taught me that the number one cause of headaches in the US was coffee.
That was news to me! But it made more sense when he clarified that he meant lack of coffee. His point was that for people who regularly drink coffee, missing an early morning cup, or even just having your first cup later than usual, can trigger a caffeine withdrawal headache. And considering how many daily coffee drinkers there are , its likely that coffee withdrawal is among the most common causes of headaches.
Later in my neurology rotation, I learned that caffeine is a major ingredient in many headache remedies, from over-the-counter medicines such as Excedrin and Anacin, to powerful prescription treatments such as Fioricet. The caffeine is supposed to make the other drugs in these combination remedies work better; and, of course, it might be quite effective for caffeine-withdrawal headaches.
But then I learned that for people with migraine headaches, certain drugs, foods, and drinks should be avoided, as they can trigger migraines. At the top of this list? Coffee.
So, to review: the caffeine in coffee, tea, and other foods or drinks can help prevent a headache, treat a headache, and also trigger a headache. How can this be?
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Can Drinking Caffeine Give You A Headache
Caffeine can trigger a headache. And because caffeine narrows the blood vessels that surround the brain, when consumption is stopped, the blood vessels enlarge. This causes an increase in blood flow around the brain and pressures surrounding nerves. This can then trigger what is known as a caffeine withdrawal headache.
The Trigger Factors In Migraines The Many Ways In Which Foods And Environment Can Bring On Migraine Headaches Recipe
The Trigger Factors In Migraines The Many Ways In Which Foods And Environment Can Bring On Migraine Headaches
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I was an ER nurse for 20 years we would see pts daily with migraine headaches ……we would go over diet and caffeine triggers so this is just info for all who suffer from this awful headaches… i always felt sorry for them the pain is unbearable.Read more…………… See less
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How To Avoid Having A Headache After Drinking Coffee
Starting the day with a morning coffee is the norm for adults around the world. The flavorful taste and caffeine kick are an effective way to stimulate the brain and get ready for the day ahead. For most people, theres nothing better, but for some, that morning coffee can trigger an unwanted headache. Understanding why these headaches happen can help you avoid them. Here are the reasons why your morning coffee may be causing your headaches and what you can do to avoid them.