Caffeine headaches?

Question

K, so I've been drinking a lot of caffeine (mostly just coffee) for the past 1/2 year or so, especially around the holidays. I've been getting some pretty annoying headaches on and off lately, sometimes real bad. Could it be because I've cut down on my caffeine intake substantially? It's been a week and the headaches are still going strong. I was just wondering if they are caffeine headaches, how long does it take till they go away if I were to quit caffeine totally for awhile?

Also, is caffeine known to mess with the sinuses at all? They've been wacko for awhile too.

Answer 1

Hiya, have a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffine#Overuse

This may answer some of your questions...

Hope it's helpful! good luck with the headaches!

Answer 2

There are people who get migraine headache if they reduce caffeine intake or stop it completely. Migraine headaches can be different from person to person. Some have it only for one day, but it is also possible to have migraine headaches for several days. Try taking 1 gram of Paracetamol (if you're not allergic to that). If that doesn't help you should see a doctor. A sinusitis can also cause headaches. These usually get worse when you hang your head down.
You should think about quitting coffee or cut down to 1 cup per day.

Answer 3

Coming off caffeine will definitely give you headaches. I decaffed myself about a year before I got pregnant with my second child and it was horrible for the first three weeks or so, but it did get better. On a side note, during my first pregnancy I was still on caffeine to the tune of between 4 to 6 diet sodas a day and I had horrible problems with my blood pressure being to high and with swelling hands and feet. With my second one being off the caffeine I did not have any blood pressure or swelling issues. Just thought I would throw that in for whatever reason.
Good luck decaffing if that is what you decide to do.

Answer 4

With the caffene issue, caffine is a drug, so, if you have it alot, then , suddenly cut back, you will go through withdrawel and get headaches & feel sluggish.
Where is your headaching? Is it right above/below your eyes? When you tap right above/under your eyes, does it hurt? If so, you probably have a sinus infection. I get numerous sinus infections a year & each time I feel as if an elephant is sitting on my forehead, or, as if someone punched me in the eyes. Also, I know it sounds wicked gross, but, do you feel stuffed up &, when you blow your nose it's a gross yellow or greenish color? If so, than that's a definite sign of an infection & I'd suggest going to your doctor to get some anti-biotics. Do you have any allergies that bother you this time of year? Allergies are known to cause sinus infections (which is why I get them so often). If you don't have the gross colored mucus, try taking something like sudefed for sinius' . (you'll have to get it at the pharmacy now, as they keep them now behind their counter). It usually works great for me. If you don't feel better w/ a day or 2, you should definitely go to your doctor, then.

Answer 5

The answer is "no". A caffeine headache happens when your body is used to massive quantities of soda, coffee, etc (6-10 cups/cans per day) and that supply is cut off completely. Even then, the caffeine headache would only be for a day at the most, as your body would quickly adjust.

Your headaches for a week are caused by something else. Since you don't seem to notice any external causes, it could be something physically or chemically internal that has changed in you. I suggest you go get checked out by a doctor. It could be something simple (hormones, etc) or something dangerous (slipped disk, tumor, etc).

Answer 6

If I didn't have caffeine I would feel like I'm dying so the answer to your question is yes I know this sounds terrible but I feel like I'm on heroin or something if I don't have it I get very bad headaches that make me sick even if I have it and I'm not taking the amount I'm used to and I need it immediatley I am unsure about the sinuses but the headaches oh yes.

Answer 7

Try cutting out the caffine completely, give it about 3 weeks then you will know if it is the cause of the headaches or not.
As far as I know caffine does not affect the sinuses;
There is a possibility that the sinus problems and headaches are linked, so it may be worth talking to your doctor about it;

Answer 8

The caffiene is probably not the cause since you only drank it heavy for 1/2 a year. YOu mention sinuses though and you should get checked out for sinusitis/sinus infection and if this is not the cause then ask for a referral to a neurologist to find out what is causing your headaches.

Answer 9

Excedrin contains caffeine to get rid of headaches, so it could be that withdrawal symptoms would give you them.

Answer 10

i doubt the coffee has anything to do with it. you've probably got headaches due to your sinuses.