Busy lifestyles, workplace pressure, long hours staring at screens, sleep deprivation or stress — for many, headaches have become a regular problem because of these. When a headache strikes, some rely on a cup of hot tea and others on coffee. Even for many regular coffee drinkers, a headache can begin if they miss their morning coffee.
But how effective are tea or coffee at easing a headache? According to experts, it depends on the type of headache, the amount of caffeine taken and a person’s daily habits.
Why caffeine can ease a headache
The caffeine in tea and coffee is a natural stimulant that can affect the activity of the brain’s blood vessels. In the early stage of a migraine or in tension-type headaches, a limited amount of caffeine can help ease pain for some people.
This is why some over-the-counter painkillers contain caffeine; it can boost these medicines’ effectiveness and help relieve pain faster. But caffeine does not affect everyone’s body the same way.
Too much caffeine can worsen a headache
The idea that drinking tea or coffee repeatedly whenever a headache strikes will bring quick relief is not correct. Taking too much caffeine can increase the risk of rebound headaches, or headaches linked to medication overuse.
Regularly drinking a lot of tea or coffee can make the body dependent on caffeine. So suddenly reducing or stopping caffeine can cause withdrawal headaches, fatigue, poor concentration and irritability. In other words, the caffeine that once helped ease a headache can, through overuse, later become one of the causes of pain.
Coffee is not a solution for every headache
Tea or coffee is not equally effective for every kind of headache. If a headache is caused by dehydration, high blood pressure, sinus problems, infection or another physical illness, drinking coffee alone will not solve it.
Again, for some people caffeine can raise anxiety, speed up the heartbeat or disrupt sleep, and these too can worsen a headache.
What you can do when you have a headache
When a headache begins, it is important first to consider whether the body is dehydrated. Drink enough water and, if possible, rest for a while in a calm, dimly lit environment.
Staring at a mobile, computer or television screen for long periods can also strain the eyes and brain, so staying away from screens for a while during a headache is beneficial.
One should also avoid staying on an empty stomach for long and get into the habit of eating healthy food on time; low blood sugar can also cause headaches in many people.
When urgent medical advice is needed
If the most severe headache of one’s life begins suddenly, it should not be ignored. If a headache comes with fever, a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, numbness in the limbs, difficulty speaking or blurred vision, emergency medical care may be needed.
One should also see a doctor for regular headaches, if pain does not ease even after taking painkillers, or if the pattern of the headache suddenly changes.
Moderate caffeine is best
At the onset of a headache, a cup of tea or coffee can give some people temporary relief. But it should not be considered a permanent treatment; becoming dependent on excessive caffeine can instead increase the risk of headaches.
So, along with drinking tea and coffee in moderation to control headaches, it is important to focus on drinking enough water, getting regular and sufficient sleep, eating a balanced diet and managing stress.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report