Caffeine can increase awareness, fight fatigue and improve muscle coordination. Many people like to drink caffeine because it makes them feel more alert and ready for the day. It is recommended that you don't overuse it, because it's said to be bad on a person's system. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, sleep problems, muscle twitching or abdominal pain. However, caffeine has been known to help people who suffer from migraine headaches. Caffeine can come in many forms such as sodas, energy drinks, coffee and even chocolate.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine headache is the most common type of vascular headache. A migraine involves an abnormal sensitivity of some arteries in the brain to triggers that result in a constriction and throbbing pain. Migraines have a tendency to be inherited. Nerve impulses can cause flashing lights and other sensory phenomena, which is called an aura. These headaches are awful to try to deal with. They are truly debilitating and the sufferer many times needs to lay down in a dark, quiet room to find relief.
Can Caffeine Help?
It is not completely understood why caffeine helps migraines, but it does. Many physicians feel that because caffeine constricts blood vessels, it helps the headache go away. Migraine headaches are still a mysterious ailment that affects women more than men. Some physicians feel that migraines worsen due to hormonal changes. The good news is, there have been some breakthroughs and discoveries into the causes and how to stop the pain.
One such discovery has been the link between caffeine and migraines. Many people who suffer from this type of headache have been instructed by their physicians to drink a beverage with a high caffeine content. Drinking a soda such as Mountain Dew that has a relatively high caffeine content or trying an energy drink may actually help the headache to subside. It takes approximately 30 minutes for any relief after drinking these type of beverages. It tends to be more effective to pair the drink with a pain reliever. The combination of the two seems to work quicker for most people.
Physicians have learned that too much caffeine can be just as bad as not enough caffeine. They have found that too much caffeine can actually trigger migraine headaches. Therefore, it appears best to approach this treatment cautiously. It may be best for a person to try a moderately higher level of caffeine in the beverage to see if that works for them. If it does not, it may be best to increase the caffeine amount a little at a time so as not to trigger another migraine episode.
There are many ways a person can approach treating a migraine headache. One thing that's totally clear is that a person who suffers from migraines wants relief as soon as possible. These headaches can stop a person in their tracks and they will be unable to function normally. The next time someone you know gets a migraine, suggest they drink a cup of coffee or have a Mountain Dew. It just might help them get rid of the pain.