Posts Tagged ‘caffeine’
January 5, 2012 | 
Author An article published online in the June 7, 2010 journal HEADACHE reported high consumption of alcohol, smoking, and lack of exercise were significantly associated with tension-type headaches and migraine in high school students. Questionnaires filled out by 1,260 adolescents regarding food and beverage intake, smoking habits and physical activity were submitted.
The study found that students who drank more alcohol were 3.4 times more likely to have headaches than the students who did not. The students who drank coffee had 2.4 times higher likelihood of headaches, and those who smoked cigarettes were 2.7 times more likely to have headaches.
“Diet and lifestyle are seen as factors which influence headache in adults.” “However, population-based studies on this issue in adolescents are rare,” the researchers noted. From Neurology Reviews, Volume 18
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Caffeine is a ‘double-edged‘ sword. Too much (or in some very sensitive individuals, any) will cause headaches, while some will help headaches. Caffeine is used as an ‘adjunct’ to certain analgesics (65mg of caffeine in Excedrin, 32mg in Anacin), enhancing the effect of the nsaids. Studies have shown that adding small amounts of caffeine to ibuprofen renders it more effective than ibuprofen alone.
I try and keep people below 150mg daily of caffeine. Of course, sensitivity to caffeine varies widely; some experience rebound headaches from a little, while others may consume large amounts and not suffer rebound.
The caffeine content of the various substances is listed elsewhere on this site; a typical cup of brewed coffee has 150mg, while instant has 50 to 75mg. Starbucks is much stronger. tea (if it has caffeine) has about 30mg per cup, while a can of coke has 40mg. It is very important to regulate, or consider eliminating, your caffeine consumption.
