Caffeine is a natural and legal psychoactive drug that stimulates the body. Caffeine tightens and constricts blood vessels. TMJ headaches get worse when caffeine is ingested.Changes in caffeine ingestion can worsen migraine headaches. Most patients get most of their caffeine from coffee. Caffeine is addictive and this is why so many people must have coffee every morning. Unfortunately, most patients get upset when asked to stop drinking coffee and soft drinks containing caffeine.
Headaches
Muscle
twitching Nervousness
Depression
High
blood cholesterol Restlessness
Heartburn
Dehydration
from urination Rambling thought and speech
Rapid
heart beat Irregular
heart beat Stomach
upset
Increased
blood pressure Diarrhea Difficulty
falling asleep
Reduced
depth and quality of sleep and
more
Caffeine addiction can be so strong that patients experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms much like drug addicts when their drugs are taken away. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can last between one and five days.
Headaches
Fatigue
Irritability
Cravings
Anxiety
Drowsiness
Stomach
aches Nausea Nervousness
Insomnia
Some of the caffeine withdrawal symptoms can be reduced by drinking decaffeinated coffee. Although we prefer that patients not take analgesics, ibuprofen is probably best because it also helps with the muscle pain associated with caffeine withdrawal.
The no doze pills are loaded with caffeine. However, caffeine can make you anxious, keep you up at night, and even cause headaches. Patients ingesting caffeine can become hyperactive.
Some physicians believe that caffeine contributes to miscarriages and causes fertility problems. With some women, caffeine can cause a fast heart beat called tachyarrhythmia and cause panic attacks. Caffeine is especially a problem in many TMJ patients who already experience panic attacks from mitral valve prolapse.
If you are having headaches and would like to consult with our TMJ dentist, Dr. Padolsky, please make an appointment at 404-874-7428.