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September 10, 2003
Pain in the Brain
I am currently on day 4 of my headache. I've begun to accept it as a new tenant in my overcrowded brain. I'm not quite sure what's causing it, but it sure is hindering my ability to concentrate. Wait. Maybe that's the way I always am.
I decided to visit the educational resources at the National Headache Foundation (yes kids, there is such a thing!) to read up on causes, symptoms, and cures for hedaches. After all, you never know when you might have a tumor.
It was in these brain pain archives that I found these very interesting informational tidbits about caffeine and headaches:
Most people feel the effects of caffeine within 30 minutes.
Generally, the effects of caffeine last 3 to 5 hours.
The average American consumes about 200-300 mg of caffeine daily, or the equivalent of about 2-3 cups of coffee.
Adding 130 mg of caffeine to a regular, two-tablet dose of common ingredients found pain relievers (aspirin and acetaminophen) makes them relieve headache pain about 40% better than they do without caffeine. Caffeine also helps your body absorb these medications, allowing you to get back to your daily life faster.
Because analgesics work better when they have caffeine added, you may be able to take less medicine when you have a headache.
Interesting, very interesting. My life must be set, as my consumption ranges from 3-6 cups a day...and for some reason that number seems to be on the rise. The way I see it, I should never have had a headache in college, for my Advil/coffee consumption was so I high that it would be a crime to mention it in this blog. Perhaps I'm dehydraded from all the java. Or maybe my head just hurts.
Posted by callalillie at September 10, 2003 4:31 PM |
you've had the same headache for 4 days? how can ya stand it? maybe it's sinus-related. my roommate's allergies have been going wild lately, i think because the weather's changing. but i love it when i hear positive things about vices like caffeine. now if i can only find something that extolls the virtues of nicotine.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at September 10, 2003 4:48 PM
Ah yes, nicotine. Hmmm. It keeps the hands busy? Will would have a good come back for this one...
Posted by: callalillie at September 10, 2003 4:51 PM
Let's see... could the headache be the result of an impending 6 figure mortgage? or the thought of moving all your shit once again? or laying out thousands of dollars at the closing?
Regardless, coffee is your friend, embrace it.
Posted by: bobtrancho at September 10, 2003 7:14 PM
Hmm. Good point. My father the bean king. BTW, might I add that my roommate is already beginning to worry about where she will get her fresh roasted coffee bean stash when I move...maybe I need that extra bean roaster after all.
Posted by: callalillie at September 10, 2003 10:21 PM
Have you thought, perchance, that it is yet another side effect of your psychotropic meds? Headache is one of the most common side effects of these glorious wonder drugs.
Nevertheless, as a devout coffee drinker since the age of 5, I must concur: Coffee Rocks!
Posted by: josé at September 11, 2003 10:18 AM
Actually, I think it might be a result of stepping DOWN the medication. Even though I've only reduced it a tiny bit, it's the only thing I can think of...as, oddly, I'm not feeling very stressed at the moment.
Posted by: callalillie at September 11, 2003 10:23 AM
Another tidbit -it just recently came to my attention that coffee halts your body's ability to absorb calcium. Thus, a hardcore morning til day coffee drinker should really take their multi-vitamins in the evening.
Posted by: Maddie at September 11, 2003 2:47 PM
Yes, m'dear Maddie, that is true. As does Diet Coke. Caffeine screws with phosphorus levels, which in turn hinders the body's ability to absorb calcium. Hmm. Multi-vitamins. I have enough trouble remembering to put on two of the same shoes in the morning...
Posted by: callalillie at September 11, 2003 2:51 PM
