How to Cope with a Caffeine Overdose and Recognizing Caffeine Overdose Symptoms

Just drinking a lot of coffee isn't the only risk when it comes to caffeine overdose. In fact there are many products which could combine to create caffeine overdose symptoms. Products like soft-drinks, chocolate, energy drinks, teas, and over the counter medicine all can contain caffeine. It is no wonder that people sometimes end up needing to cope with a caffeine overdose. The increasing popularity of energy drinks like Redbull is making this a more common occurrence.

It is claimed that those who drink more than six cups of coffee a day can experience the symptoms of a caffeine overdose.

What are the Caffeine Overdose Symptoms?

These can include;

- Irregular heartbeat

- Nausea and vomiting

- Nervousness/ jitteriness

- Convulsions/seizures/ loss of consciousness

- Hallucinations/mental confusion

- Problems with breathing

- Fever

- Insomnia

- Thirst

- Needing to frequently pass urine

In severe cases it is possible for a caffeine overdose to lead to death

How to Deal With a Caffeine Overdose

The way to deal with a caffeine overdose will depend on the severity of the symptoms. A brief episode of nausea is probably not too much to worry about; of course there should be no more caffeine ingested for a while after this. If somebody is exhibiting severe caffeine overdose symptoms then it is important to get prompt medical attention. As mentioned above it is possible for this type of overdose to lead to major health complications.

It may be necessary for the medical staff to pump out your stomach if you have suffered a caffeine overdose; in medical terminology this is referred to as a gastric lavage. Induced vomiting may help in a caffeine overdose, but this sort of action is not advised without a medical opinion.

How to Avoid a Caffeine Overdose

It is important that people keep an eye on the amount of caffeine they are consuming. Don't just think that it is too much coffee that is the problem. Keep an eye on things like over the counter medicines which can have caffeine as an ingredient. It is also important to be careful around energy drinks as they can contain a lot of caffeine.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002579.htm

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/caffeine-overdose-what-to-do.html