Alcohol isn’t the only thing you can pour in your cup that may lead to dangerous consequences. Too much caffeine can lead to serious side effects including chest pains, trouble breathing, and even convulsions. Much more common are the milder side effects many have experienced.
While a little caffeine may help you be more productive and give you some additional energy, it’s important to remember that caffeine is indeed a drug. It’s considered a stimulant as part of the methylxanthine class of psychoactive drugs and will stay in your system for up to six hours. Like all drugs, consumption should be done with awareness. It’s important to know when you’ve had too much.
Caffeine Overdose: Symptoms Range From Mild To Severe
Anyone who consumes too much caffeine – often through coffee, tea, or energy drinks – is at risk of an overdose. As a general rule, adults should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day; the amount found in about four cups of coffee, ten cans of cola, or two to four energy drinks.
If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming a caffeinated beverage, you may be experiencing a caffeine overdose. Notice the symptoms range from mild to severe:
- Increased thirst
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Heartburn
- Upset Stomach
- Muscle Soreness
- Trouble Breathing
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Chest Pain
- Irregular or Fast Heartbeat
- Uncontrollable Muscle Movements
- Convulsions
Not everyone has the same caffeine tolerance. Age, body weight, and even gender can influence how much caffeine is too much. Some may overdose on 300 mg./day if they rarely ingest caffeine, while others may tolerate 600 mg./day although this amount is not recommended. Recent studies show that men are more sensitive to caffeine than women. In addition, people with anxiety disorders and difficulties sleeping should keep their caffeine intake to a minimum.
How to Treat Caffeine Overdose
If you experience serious symptoms after consuming caffeine, including shortness of breath, heart palpitations or tremors, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.
Caffeine overdose treatment at the hospital may include extensive heart monitoring with an EKG (electrocardiogram), activated charcoal – commonly used in drug overdoses to prevent the substance from traveling to the gastrointestinal tract – laxatives, and even breathing support.
Symptoms of caffeine overdose, if milder, may be treated at home with a variety of ways:
- Drink several glasses of pure water of water, take 500-1,000 mg. of vitamin C and 1-5 mg. of melatonin (a natural hormone).
- Drink a glass of milk and a large glass of water
- To counter restlessness and anxiety, select a quiet area to sit comfortably and breathe deeply for at least one minute.
- Use calming lavender oil on your lower lip area and below the nostrils to help nervousness
If you experience any of the above symptoms after drinking a caffeinated beverage, consider either cutting back or eliminating caffeine from your diet entirely – but do it gradually. Caffeine withdraw is considered a true mental health disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Cutting back or quitting caffeine cold turkey can cause headaches, restlessness, lethargy and irritability and a list of other symptoms that can affect your relationships and work performance. Consider drinking one less cup of coffee each day, or switching your daily cup of Joe with less caffeinated green or black tea.
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