How caffeine consumption habits can trigger migraine risk

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Neurocritical and intensive care subspecialist neurologist from the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI), dr. Ramdinal Aviesena Zairinal, Sp.N(K), has explained that the manner of consuming caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee can trigger the risk of migraine headaches.

According to him, caffeine, as a substance discussed in relation to migraines, has two sides: it can act as a remedy consumed for relief, but if not consumed properly, its effect can reverse and become a trigger for such headaches.

“That is what must be understood. It should be positive, but why does it become something negative? It is because there is a change in how we consume the caffeine,” said the doctor, familiarly called Sena, to ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.

Changes in dosage, quantity, or patterns of consuming caffeine-containing drinks pose a risk of triggering migraines. In this context, caffeine can be found in beverages such as coffee, canned drinks like soda, and even certain medications.

Under these conditions, an increased dosage at a certain point can alter how the caffeine works; it should help provide relief but instead reverses and causes the headache to worsen.

A similar situation can also occur if the pattern of caffeine consumption is inconsistent. For example, someone who habitually drinks coffee every morning then changes to the afternoon or evening the next day can also have an effect, or suddenly stopping after regular consumption can cause a headache.

“Changes like that, where previously there was a lot of coffee and then it stops suddenly, can also cause headache symptoms due to withdrawal or the abrupt cessation of caffeine. So, the fault is not with the caffeine itself, but with how we use it,” he said.