Causes of migraine | Caffeine and migraines

If you suffer from migraine regularly, you know how debilitating they can be and how it can ruin your training program. You are probably very aware of anything that could trigger headaches – so you can stay far, far away.

One of the most common? Caffeine. And that can be a disappointment, because running and coffee go hand in hand.

But how is this true, really? Do you still need to avoid caffeine if you want to avoid head bangs that can cause nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light accompanying pain? Or can you afford a cup to fuel your workout?

The researchers answered this question: in a new study published in the American Journal of Medicine, the researchers examined 98 people with chronic migraines, that is to say, they suffered between two and 15 days per month for at least three months before. Each participant answered questions about their medical history and their typical caffeine intake. He then selected a list of migraine triggers, such as caffeine intake, lack of sleep, or climate change, to point to factors that he believed had caused headaches in the past. .

Participants then kept a daily diary for six weeks, noting the number of servings of caffeine they had ingested, namely 8 ounces (1 ounce) of coffee, 6 ounces of tea, a can of 12 ounces of soda or a coffee. oz. can of energy drink – how much physical activity did she get, how much was her stress level, and what was her sleep schedule?

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The researchers found that those who ate at least three servings of caffeine on a given day were 40% more likely to suffer from migraine that day or the next day. However, consuming one to two servings of caffeine on a given day was not associated with migraines that day or the next day.

The findings relate to the link between caffeine and a chemical in adenosine, cells in your brain that, besides making you sleepy, also plays a role in pain, according to the study. . The structure of caffeine molecules is similar to that of adenosine receptors in your brain, so they are able to bind to it, thus blocking the effects of adenosine.

"Caffeine can have both beneficial and harmful effects," said Elizabeth Mostofsky, Sc.D., co-author of the study, a researcher at the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Beth Israel Medical Center. Deaconess. Runner's World. For example, although this study revealed that too much caffeine was the cause of migraine headaches, some drugs relieved lower doses of caffeine to relieve headaches, such as Excedrin, which contains 65 milligrams of caffeine, or half of the amount contained in a short and dark Starbucks roast. .

Although researchers do not really know how caffeine can act as both an analgesic and analgesic, they believe that factors such as dose, frequency, and habit play a role.

For example, for those who usually drank less than a serving of caffeine a day, two or more servings were harmful, she explained. For those who usually drank more than one serving of caffeine a day, three or more servings were harmful. Too much caffeine, then a withdrawal, can also cause a headache.

"In addition, caffeine can make you urinate more, or even dehydrate you. In turn, dehydration can cause headaches, "said Mostofsky.

So, abuse caffeine or drink more than you're used to, can trigger migraines. But the biggest result? Paste with a moderate amount–like a cup or two of coffee a day–should not cause a migraine, which goes against a common misconception.