Does caffeine help a headache or not? Here's what the experts say.

If a cup of coffee is your ideal remedy for pesky headaches, here's a puzzling new: you can make your headaches worse or worse.

According to experts, caffeine can relieve and aggravate headaches; the result depends on multiple factors specific to you and your habits. So before you go to the vending machine for a cola to numb the pain, there are a few things to consider. Here's what you need to know:

"To be clear, caffeine does not always help with headaches, "he said. Kirsten Ransbury, Senior Dietitian at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville, California.

For headaches caused by swelling of the blood vessels in the brain – a condition known as vasodilation – caffeine can help by causing the constriction of blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling. Caffeine could also help alleviate tension headaches by releasing tense muscles on the scalp or the back of the head, explained Kiran F. Rajneesh, director of the Division of Neurological Pain at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University.

But that's where things get a little complicated: if you have too much caffeine, your muscles could become tense, Rajneesh said, which would make the pain worse.

As nice as it may be to know exactly how much caffeine you would need to kill a headache, there is no universal prescription. This is partly because caffeine affects everyone differently.

"Some people are more genetically predisposed to be sensitive to caffeine, "said Rajneesh, and these people should probably refrain from using caffeine as an badgesic.

As for coffee, said Rajneesh, "in general, one or two cups" is enough in terms of daily consumption, and three to four cups should probably be the threshold. So, if you have already consumed your morning cup, caffeine may not be the best option for relieving headaches.

Coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks are among the most common sources of caffeine. Ransbury said that none of these sources should make a difference, although she suggested paying particular attention to energy drinks, as excessive ingestion has been badociated with dizziness, seizures and convulsions. stroke.

Rajneesh has completely discouraged energy drinks because many contain "neurostimulants that can worsen your headaches." When it's about treating migraine patients, said Rajneesh, energy drinks are irrelevant.

Something to consider is the amount of caffeine in the source. Ransbury said the coffee contains about 106 to 164 milligrams of caffeine per 5-ounce cup, while a 12-ounce can of caffeinated soda contains 38 to 46 milligrams.

"I think coffee is probably the most benign of all," added Rajneesh, pointing out that soda contains sugar and chemicals, variables that could affect your well-being (and your headaches). .

Some people swear by ibuprofen and nap, while others find that putting a cold compress on the eyes for a few minutes is enough for the treatment of headaches.

The theme of this? Everyone is different and different types of headaches will respond better to different types of treatment. Rajneesh said that he would probably choose caffeine in the form of coffee instead of an over-the-counter drug because he considers coffee as a "more natural" option.

When he advised the patients, he first recommended what he calls a "lifestyle modification," which includes adjusting your sleep schedule, maintaining your hydration, and incorporate a moderate amount of exercise into your routine. Before considering medication, Rajneesh said it was important to try to determine what could cause headaches in a person's life and make changes. Lack of sleep, a healthy diet and exercise can all contribute to an imbalance, which includes headaches, he said.

Of course, there are faster ways to reduce headaches. Ransbury has suggested many natural and caffeine-free remedies, including turning off lights, relaxing in a quiet space and taking a hot bath. She also said that you should avoid heavy meals, alcohol, nicotine, excessive time spent in front of a screen and, surprise, that too much caffeine would also be enough to relieve the pain.

"Living with" is a guide for navigating conditions that affect your mind and body. Each month, HuffPost Life will tackle real problems by providing different stories, tips and ways to connect with others who understand what it is. In April, we cover migraines and headaches. Do you have an experience to share? Email [email protected].