Too much coffee can cause headaches, due to the effects of caffeine on blood vessels in the brain.
- Coffee can cause headaches when consumed in excess.
- On the other hand, small doses can have beneficial effects on headaches.
- This is linked to the constriction of blood vessels caused by caffeine.
It’s a breakfast staple for some, an office companion for others, and sometimes even an addiction: coffee. Rich in caffeine, it gives an often-saving boost of energy, but consumed in excess, it can cause some undesirable effects. On the Cleveland Clinic websiteEmad Estemalik, headache specialist, explains why.
Why can coffee cause headaches?
“If you consume large amounts of caffeine, it can cause headaches and increase their frequency, he warns. And it’s not just coffee, but all caffeinated or energy drinks“Stopping coffee or caffeine in general can cause the same type of symptoms.”If your body is used to daily caffeine intake and you stop abruptly, you will often experience minor withdrawal symptoms like irritability, trouble sleeping, and headaches..” Often these symptoms only last a few days.
Coffee can also relieve headaches
This specialist points out that coffee actually has a dual effect on headaches: if you do not exceed a certain dose, it can relieve headaches. He said data accumulated through various research shows that about 100 to 150 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of a small cup of coffee, tends to help reduce or even prevent headaches. This phenomenon is linked to the action of caffeine on the blood vessels of the brain. “For example, if you have a migraine, the blood vessels in your brain are dilated (or more open)he explains. The right amount of caffeine can constrict (or narrow) blood vessels; caffeine therefore acts as a vasoconstrictor.”
Coffee doesn’t relieve all headaches
These beneficial effects are not observed on all types of headaches: they are limited to so-called tension headaches and migraines. “Vasodilation, or dilation of blood vessels, occurs during these types of headaches.”, specifies the scientist. On the other hand, caffeine has no benefit for cluster headaches, attacks of headaches characterized by intense pain. It also has no effect on sinus headaches. “The pressure you feel with sinus headaches means you have a pressure imbalance in the nasal sinuses.”, explains Dr. Estemalik. For this type of symptom, caffeine will not be effective. The doctor reminds that while caffeine can help, it should not be a cure for chronic headaches. In this case, you must speak with a health professional to implement an effective treatment, and to adapt your lifestyle.
