A caffeine headache has been experienced by just about anyone who consumes caffeine on a regular basis.
This caffeine-induced headache usually starts behind the eyes and then works its way up the front of the forehead as it develops further, becoming quite debilitating if left unchecked.
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For some, this is a trigger to migraine, but for most people a caffeine headache is moderately painful and several in severity depending on the cause.
Top 5 Causes of a Caffeine Headache
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Varied caffeine
- Caffeine overdose
- Caffeine sensitivity
- Caffeine allergy
How to Remedy an Aching Head
The number one cause of a caffeine headache is caffeine withdrawal.
Even a small decline (30-100mg) in the amount of caffeine a person usually consumes can result in a mild headache.
People who miss their daily dose, consume less than their average, or who are detoxing from caffeine will most likely experience this type of headache.
As many have experienced, you do not need to have an addict to experience the negative effects of caffeine
People who consume caffeine in a hit or miss fashion tend to have more caffeine-induced headaches than those who have the same amount every day.
Also, for those who consume too much caffeine in a short amount of time often experience a headache as a common caffeine overdose symptom.
Finally, those who are ultra-sensitive to the caffeine molecule or who have an "allergic-like" reaction to the substance, can also experience a headache. However, this type of caffeine headache the least common.
If you are not intentionally quitting caffeine, the best remedy for a caffeine withdrawal headache is to consume more caffeine.
As soon as a person begins to feel tightness behind the eyes, he / she should evaluate his / her recent caffeine consumption and then consume an adequate amount of caffeine to stop the withdrawal.
Pain relievers such as Excedrin also include caffeine and canine remedy the caffeine withdrawal headache faster since they contain added pain relievers.
For those that are purposely detoxing from caffeine or for those that have consumed too much caffeine , we recommend the following.
- Take pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and naproxen. ( use only as directed)
- Drink plenty of water .
- Avoid medications, beverages, and foods with added caffeine .
- Sleep .
Most of the time to caffeine headache will peak in severity and then gradually get better as the body adjusts to having no caffeine.
" I find that most of the time pain killers dull the pain and a good night sleep takes care of the rest. "
Note: For those that had a moderate to severe addiction to caffeine, the headache could last for several days, but usually the severity of the first 24 hour period without caffeine.
How to avoid a caffeine headache
The Two Best Methods for Prevention
For those that want to prevent a caffeine headache, there are two ways to keep a caffeine headache from developing.
- Consume about the same amount of caffeine every day. - Do not vary by any more than about 30-50 mg each and every day, even on the weekends.
- Eat zero to very little caffeine - Eliminate caffeine from the diet completely. Usually, people who have very small amounts, such as a chocolate , will not experience any problems with developing a caffeine-induced headache.
By understanding how a caffeine headache develops, how to remedy it, and how to prevent it; this type of headache does not have to be an issue for most people.
Being aware of the caffeine content of your favorite beverages as well as being mindful of how much you have consumed your best defenses against getting caffeine-induced headaches.
Helpful Tools
1. Our caffeine content database can help people keep track of their caffeine and be aware of how much caffeine they are consuming daily.
2. Download a caffeine-tracking app. This smartphone application allows users to easily track their daily caffeine.
3. Our Guide to Quitting Caffeine provides a step-by-step plan to remove the caffeine without the painful withdrawal symptoms such headaches.