Caffeine worsens headaches in adolescents

November 3, 2013

The previous post mentioned a study confirming that caffeine makes headaches worse in adults 20 years or older. A study by pediatric neurologists from the Cleveland Clinic, Chad Whyte and David Rothner showed that this is also true in adolescents. They looked at 50 children, who were between 12 and 17 years of age who presented to their headache clinic. The average age was 15 and 64% were girls. The mean consumption of caffeine was 109 mg per day. In kids with chronic migraines the intake was 166 mg, while in the rest it was 65 mg. The most popular form of caffeine was soda drinks. This study further confirms the role of caffeine in causing worsening of headaches and leading to chronic migraines.

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Alexander Mauskop, MD
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