The pros and cons of drinking coffee with a headache
Caffeine has long been known to be a natural painkiller for headache. Yet, many are still in the dark about whether drinking coffee when having a headache is a good idea or not. In order to reach a better understanding of the subject, it is important to analyse all the information available before formulating a conclusion.
First and foremost, it is quite important to define what a headache is in order to understand why coffee can be beneficial to relieve it. According to the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), there are three main categories of headache: primary headaches (e.g. tension-type, migraine, and cluster headache), secondary headaches, and cranial neuralgias or facial pains. As a result, not all headaches are the same and some require different types of treatment other than caffeine or coffee.
That being said, for those who suffer from primary headaches such as tension-type headaches, evidence suggests that coffee can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms. This was confirmed in the study conducted by Gamaldo et al. (2010), which found that a dose of caffeine (200mg) can help reduce the headache intensity. Moreover, caffeine has also been shown to enable the body to better absorb other painkillers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, leading to quicker and more efficient relief of the headache symptoms.
On the other hand, there are drawbacks to drinking coffee when having a headache. For example, coffee can act as a diuretic, making it more difficult for the body to retain fluids, leading to dehydration. Moreover, the caffeine in coffee can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, it is not advisable to drink coffee when having a headache that is caused by hypertension, as it could exacerbate the symptoms.
In spite of this, some experts still recommend drinking coffee in moderation to relieve headache symptoms. The trick is to stick to a few cups a day, just enough to remain stimulated but not too much so as to avoid potential dehydration. Nevertheless, it is always good to keep a glass of water close by and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
It is also important to extend the advice beyond coffee, in order to properly treat the headache. Avoiding triggers such as certain smells and bright lighting is important, as well as managing stress levels. Additionally, it is important to adjust your head posture in order to relieve neck and shoulder tension, as this can cause headaches in many people.
Eating habits associated with headaches
Eating habits have been associated with headache in many studies, with eating large meals being one of the few triggers of headaches. For example, a study conducted by Hagen et al. (2014) found that eating a large meal causes a headache in some individuals due to symptoms of hypoglycaemia and changes in the blood glucose level. As a result, it is important to regulate the size of your meals, in order to avoid causing a headache.
Furthermore, regulated meal schedules have also been shown to be beneficial in reducing the intensity of the headache symptoms. This is because regulating mealtimes allows the blood glucose level to remain steady, avoiding dramatic fluctuations that could lead to headaches. In addition, regular eating patterns can help the body prevent hypoglycaemia, which is another common source of headaches.
It is also important to pay attention to what types of food you’re eating. Eating foods high in sugar, salt and fat can increase the risk of suffering from headaches. This is because many of these foods can act as triggers, leading to a sudden and intense headache. As a result, it is important to choose a healthy and well-balanced diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The effects of physical activity on headaches
Physical activity has a major impact on headaches, as it reduces stress and tension levels, enabling the body to better cope with the pain. According to the Harvard Health Publishing (2020) physical exercise can be an effective way to reduce headache and migraine intensity and frequency. In particular, aerobic forms of exercise such as walking, running, swimming or cycling, as well as yoga and stretching, are known to be particularly helpful in reducing headache symptoms.
However, it is important to note that physical activity can act as a trigger for headaches. So while exercise definitely can help reduce headache symptoms, it is important to listen to your body and avoid overdoing it, as this could lead to strain and ultimately worsen the headache symptoms.
The best way to make sure you don’t experience a worsening of headaches, is to always start out slowly when performing physical activity. Moreover, gradually increasing the size and intensity of the exercise is always beneficial, as it allows your body to slowly build up strength and stamina.
The influence of sleep deprivation on headaches
Sleep plays a vital role in the prevention and treatment of headaches, as it is an important factor in keeping the body and brain healthy, stimulated and stress-free. According to Medical News Today (2020), the lack of sleep, either due to insomnia or poor sleeping habits, increases the chances of suffering from headaches. This is because loss of sleep increases fatigue levels and stress hormones, which can act as triggers for headaches.
As a result, making sure to get enough sleep is important for preventing headaches. This means creating a comfortable, dark and quiet environment; avoiding stimulants such as coffee or tea in the evening; and sticking to a regular sleep schedule, in order to help the body to rest and recuperate.
Establishing a healthy lifestyle to reduce headaches
It is clear that a healthy lifestyle is essential to reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches. This means being conscious of the food you eat, engaging in physical activity, avoiding triggers, and getting enough sleep. In addition, drinking coffee in moderation can also be beneficial, as long as it is not done in excess and other steps to a healthy lifestyle are taken alongside it.
Thus, by making sure to maintain a balanced lifestyle, individuals can reduce the frequency and intensity of their headaches. This, in turn, will enable them to function better and lead a happier, healthier life.
Treating the root of the headache
Once a person has established a healthy lifestyle, it is important to find ways to treat the root of the headache in order to combat it in a more efficient manner. Among these, biofeedback has been known to one of the best and most efficient ways of reducing headache symptoms. This technique has been developed by experts to help patients become aware of their bodily response to the pain and focus it in order to alleviate the symptoms.
Biofeedback is a non-invasive, pain-free process that uses sensors in order to monitor the body’s reactions and gives the patient control over them. This enables the patient to develop techniques to manage the headache symptoms more effectively. The process can be done alongside other treatments, such as medication, and it often leads to marked improvements in the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Understanding the symptoms of headaches
The range of symptoms can vary depending on the type of headache, but common symptoms include throbbing, dull or sharp pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Pain can range from mild to severe, and can last from a few minutes to several days.
The best way to keep track of your headache symptoms is by tracking down their frequency, intensity, triggers and duration. This allows the individual to understand better their headache conditions and devise the best possible strategies and treatments to reduce them. For example, if a person notices that the headache strikes more often when exposed to bright lights, avoiding them could reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Learning to manage headaches
In short, there are many steps one can take to better manage their headaches. First, a healthy lifestyle is essential; maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity and making sure to rest enough. Additionally, caffeine can be beneficial when taken in moderation, although it should be taken alongside other treatments. Finally, understanding the symptoms and tracking them down can help devise the best possible solutions to the problem.
Therefore, by following the aforementioned steps, a person can work towards a life free of or with much less intense headaches. With the right mindset and lifestyle, it is definitely possible to reduce the pain caused by headaches and make life a bit easier.
