Recurrent headaches that vary from moderate intensity to severe are known as migraines. They are usually combinied with symptoms like nausea, increased sensitivity to light a sound. They can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, exercise and some foods and drinks. According to a new study, consuming an excess amount of caffeine, in the form of coffee increases the rosk of migraines in drinkers. . The study has indicated that consuming three or more servings of the caffeinated beverage may be linked with increased incidence of migraine. Earlier research has also linked this popular caffeinated drink with risks of migraine.
Published in the American Journal of Medicine, the study looked at the potential role of coffee and other caffeinated beverages as triggers for migraine. Researchers of the study asked 98 participants. with episodic migraines to fill out electronic diaries recording their intake of caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, soda, energy drinks and their servings in the morning and in the night. They also recorded whether or not they experienced headaches, as well as the intensity of these headaches and their onset and their duration, and finally the medication used. Participants also revealed other common triggers for migraines including sleep patterns, menstrual cycle, psychological stress, alcohol intake, physical activity, depressive symptoms etc.
The researchers found that intake of one or two servings of coffee and other caffeinated beverages was not associated with headaches on the same day or the following day. But three or more servings of these drinks increased the odds of migraine episodes either the same day or the following day. "While some potential triggers - such as lack of sleep - may only increase migraine risk, the role of caffeine is particularly complex, because it may trigger an attack but may also help control symptoms, caffeine's impact depends both on dose and on frequency," said Elizabeth Mostofsky from Harvard University.
She added by saying, "One serving of caffeine is typically defined as eight ounces or one cup of caffeinated coffee, six ounces of tea, a 12-ounce can of soda and a 2-ounce can of an energy drink. Those servings contain anywhere from 25 to 150 milligrams of caffeine, so we cannot quantify the amount of caffeine that is associated with heightened risk of migraine. However, in this self-matched analysis over only six weeks, each participant's choice and preparation of caffeinated beverages should be fairly consistent."
