Caffeine and Headache
By: Matthias C.
Here are some of the most important facts about caffeine and its relationship to headache.
| General |
| |
|
| |
- Most people feel the effects of caffeine within 30 minutes.
- Generally, the effects of caffeine last 3 to 5 hours.
- The average American consumes about 200-300 mg of caffeine daily, or the equivalent of about 2-3 cups of coffee.
- People who get headaches should clearly understand how caffeine affects their headaches.
|
| Caffeine in headache medications |
| |
|
| |
- Adding 130 mg of caffeine to a regular, two-tablet dose of common ingredients found pain relievers (aspirin and acetaminophen) makes them relieve headache pain about 40% better than they do without caffeine. Caffeine also helps your body absorb these medications, allowing you to get back to your daily life faster.
- Because analgesics work better when they have caffeine added, you may be able to take less medicine when you have a headache. And because even non-prescription medications are real medicine with the potential for side effects, taking less reduces the risks associated with inappropriate use.
|
| Caffeine and "rebound" headache |
| |
|
| |
- "Rebound headache" is a serious problem that develops from taking too many headache medications too often.
- Rebound headache is constant -- it won't go away until you completely stop taking the drugs that are causing the problem.
- Any headache medicine can cause rebound headache -- taking caffeine-containing headache medications doesn't appear to increase the risk.
- Rebound headache is rare; in fact, less than 2% of the general population is reported to suffer from rebound headache due to over use of pain relievers.
|
| Addiction or dependence |
| |
|
| |
- According to both the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association, caffeine is considered safe, and in no way resembles other addictive or habit-forming drugs that lead to severe physical and social consequences.
- Significant caffeine abuse has not been reported by any culture in the world.
- When used according to label directions, headache medicines with caffeine pose no risk of addiction or dependence.
|
| Caffeine withdrawal headache |
| |
|
| |
- Technically, a person needs to use caffeine every day and reach a monthly total of at least 15 grams before they will experience caffeine withdrawal headache.
- Withdrawal symptoms occur when people consume 500 mg (about 5 cups of coffee) or more daily, but they have been reported after long-term, daily intake of 100 mg or less per day.
|
About the Author:
Matthias C. is the Web master of www.eheadachehelp.com and has by its life companion, for years the strong headache feels a quantity of experience in the treatment of headache.
This Article is Brought to you by:
Headache Related Articles:
Herbalists tend to regard the headache as a symptom of some underlying disorder rather than an illness in its own right.Those that seem centered behind the eyes suggest a digestive disturbance while headaches t...
By: Douglas Adams
Acupressure has many applications in the management of pain and illness. For chronic headache sufferers, this provides a powerful alternative to taking bottles of painkillers which can lead to serious side effects, addicti...
By: Virpi Tervonen
Are you suffering from constant headaches? Headaches are a common ailment, but research has uncovered treatments that may help your problem almost disappear. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF) ten...
By: Matthias C.
Updated Migraine headaches Related News: