Michael's Hands

Caffeine Headache

If you take too many coffee enemas, you may experience a caffeine headache. This kind of headache occurs during caffeine withdrawal. It is experienced as a throbbing pain, usually across the back of the neck; it is caused by blood vessels that have dilated.

Caffeine headaches occur in most people because their regular intake of caffeine has been compromised. For example, if you have had two cups of coffee every day for the past thirty years, then go on a juice diet in which coffee is not allowed, you will probably have one. Caffeine headaches typically last for three days, and are not responsive to the usual headache medications such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.

On the other hand, caffeine headaches do respond to some over-the-counter medications, such as Excedrin. Why? Because these medications contain caffeine!

There is not much you can do to get rid of a caffeine headache, once it starts, until it runs its course--except, of course, by taking caffeine. It is a withdrawal symptom, after all! To avoid these headaches in the future, consider weaning yourself from this drug so that you are no longer dependent on it. Experts recommend reducing the amount you take by a little each day, over the course of several weeks, until you need none at all.

Be aware that caffeine has been added to many of the things we drink, and even some of the food. Chocolate, for example, is high in caffeine, as are most soft drinks. Cola drinks have it (except for the caffeine-free variety), and Mountain Dew has more caffeine than almost all colas. Seven-Up, Sprite, and root beer have none. Develop the habit of reading the labels to be sure.