THE TRUTH ABOUT ALCOHOL

CAFFEINE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL UNIT

CAFFEINE Caffeine is a drug that is naturally produced in the leaves and seeds of many plants. It acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants. It's also produced artificially and added to certain foods. Caffeine is defined as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system, causing increased alertness. Caffeine gives most people a temporary energy boost and elevates mood.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE Increased heart rate, respiration, and/or blood pressure. Sweating Frequent urination  dehydration Increased risk of cardiovascular problems

COMMON PRODUCTS CONTAINING CAFFEINE Coffee Soda Tea Energy drinks Chocolate Pain relievers & other OTCs

ENERGY DRINKS Most contain between mg of caffeine Effects: Stimulates Central Nervous System Sense of alertness Raises heart rate Raises blood pressure Dehydration

CAFFEINE Caffeine is a diuretic Diuretic: a substance that results in the body producing an increased amount of urine Our bodies generate ADH (anti-diuretic hormone)  needed for water reabsorption  diuretics block ADH  instead of absorbing water, it is excreted as urine.

GOT THE JITTERS?? Many people feel that caffeine increases their mental alertness, and it can. However, higher doses of caffeine can cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches, and the jitters. Caffeine can also interfere with normal sleep   

CAFFEINE AND HEADACHES Many times pain medication that is designed to treat headaches contains caffeine. The caffeine in the medication is meant to “override” the headache and provide alertness and a feeling of well-being. Long-term caffeine use/abuse can lead to the caffeine being the reason for the headaches and migraines.

QUITTING CAFFEINE Caffeine can be the cause of migraines, headaches, nausea, and the jitters. Ironically, going cold turkey and quitting heavy caffeine use can actually cause all of those symptoms as well.

REFERENCES dehydration/#ixzz1t3Tx0UEo