Caffeine addiction

Coffeinismus as on the one hand an acute poisoning with caffeine, alternatively referred to as a function of a chronic caffeine. Colloquially known as coffee addiction, it refers to the addiction after chronic intake of caffeine or abuse of beverages such as coffee, caffeinated tea or caffeinated energy drinks.

Symptoms

Acute caffeine intoxication (ICD -10 code F15.0 ) mainly caused mental disorders with the symptoms of anxiety, agitation, mental changes, tachycardia, urinary urgency and insomnia. Severe intoxication may lead to circulatory collapse.

Dose-related symptoms of chronic Coffeinismus are:

  • Excitation of the central nervous system and insomnia
  • Increase in heart activity, blood pressure and pulse increase
  • Difficulty concentrating or increases
  • Hyperactivity
  • Uncontrolled movements
  • Headaches on withdrawal
  • Diarrhea
  • Anxiety symptoms

Researchers observe a potassium deficiency associated with muscle paralysis at high consumption of caffeine-containing cola drinks.

Lethal dose

In healthy people, the lethal dose ( lethal dose ) at about 10 g of caffeine (that would be about 200 cups of double espresso ) classified. Symptoms of toxicity may already - depending on habituation - occur from 1 g of caffeine. 1 g of caffeine given 10 liters of commercially available cola or about 12 cans of 250 ml of commercially available energy drinks.

Withdrawal symptoms

A study from 2004 recommended the inclusion of caffeine withdrawal syndrome in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. According to her, withdrawal symptoms occur usually at 12 to 24 hours after the last intake of caffeine. They are during the first one or two days at most and disappear after about two to nine days.

For the diagnosis of the withdrawal syndrome according to ICD 10 (code F15.3 ) must in addition to a dysphoric mood (eg, sadness ) are present at least two of the following symptoms:

  • Lethargy and fatigue
  • Psychomotor retardation or agitation
  • Desire for stimulating agents
  • Increased appetite
  • Sleep disorders such as insomnia (difficulty sleeping ) or increased need for sleep ( hypersomnia )
  • Bizarre or unpleasant dreams
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