Friday, January 28, 2011 beamer asks

Q: Coffee but not other caffinated beverages gives me a headache.

Just one cup of coffee gives me a headache, even though consuming much more caffeine from tea or elsewhere does not. Possible explanations? And this happens with different kinds of coffee from different places (home, cafe, etc.).

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Answers (3)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

1/29/11 4:18pm

beamer,

Is this a headache or a Migraine? When coffee is a problem, caffeine is usually the culprit, but not always. Unfortunately, why some foods cause headaches or trigger Migraines isn't well understood.

Does this happen with any other foods or beverages? You might find it interesting to take a look at this article and the workbook linked to at the end of it, Managing Migraine - Migraine Trigger Foods.

This is something you should mention to your doctor at your next visit.

Good luck,

Teri

beamer

1/29/11 4:40pm

Thanks Teri, It's just headaches. Sometimes they are much rougher than others. But essentially what I've done is cut out coffee. That works for me, still I love a good cup of java and still try it regularly and almost every time (maybe 90%) I get at least a little headache. This never happens with even the strongest teas, soda, energy drinks etc. I looked over the food issue but no need for that, I've already narrowed it down to just coffee. So I know how to fix it, but I am curious as why this could happen. And keep in mind I drank coffee for some 10 years prior and never had any trouble.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

1/29/11 4:48pm

You're welcome, beamer. Wonder if you've developed a sensitivity or allergy to coffee. Great detective work on narrowing it down to the coffee. Next time you see your doctor, you migh want to mention it. Maybe her or she would be able to shed some light on this. You have me curious now too!

girlyangel

5/ 3/11 7:11am

I too suffer from quite bad headaches when I drink coffee (cola, certain chocolates and some pepperment flavouring) but not from tea. I can drink bucketloads of tea and never get a headache at all but if I have a cup of coffee I really suffer the next day. Interestingly enough I also get headaches if I drink decaf coffee. Is there something else in coffee I am sensitive to that I am unaware of???

Teri Robert, Health Guide

5/ 3/11 9:19am

girlyangel,

There are some foods that trigger Migraines or headaches, and we have no idea why. With some foods, we know what's in them that causes the problem, but with other foods, we have no idea. Sounds as if that may be the case with you and coffee.

Teri

Shogs

11/14/11 12:16am

Hi Beamer,

Don't have an answer for you but can totally agree (sometimes it helps to know that other people suffer similarly).

I can drink cups and cups of tea each day, can have two Red Bulls in quick succession, no problems at all but one cup of coffee and bam, headache!

Like girlyangel, I too have tried the experiment with decaf coffee and same result, so I definately think that it's something peculiar about coffee

Mark

beamer

11/14/11 7:12pm

Nice to know that others have this as well. I don't get to a dr. very often, but will be sure to raise it next time. The solution is straightfoward though--don't drink coffee!

Cheers.

Paul

10/24/12 4:45am

I have the same issue. Tea, Coke, chocolate, Moutain Dew, Red Bull, no problem. One cup of coffee, 30min later, terrible headache. Very strange, so it's not the caffeine. Maybe other alkyloids.

I find that if i drink alot of water immediately before and after coffee I can minimize the effect, so my working hypothesis now is that it is somehow hydration related, or I'm just reducing the concentration of whatever it is in coffee that is causing it.

Seems to be genetic, my mom has same thing.

Q: Coffee but not other caffinated beverages gives me a headache.

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