Excessive caffeine: symptoms and measures to control it

Caffeine excess, or caffeine overdose, occurs when more caffeine is consumed than the body can safely process. It should be noted that caffeine is a substance that many enjoy for its stimulant effects and may even have health benefits in certain cases. However, excessive consumption can lead to a range of symptoms that vary in severity.

What is excessive caffeine

Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. That is, it means it can temporarily increase alertness and reduce fatigue.

This compound is found in foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, energy drinks, chocolate and certain cold medicines and painkillers.

However, just because caffeine is natural and commonplace does not mean it is harmless. This is important to know because it is commonly consumed around the world because of its stimulant effects, without being aware that it can be harmful.

In this regard, bear in mind that caffeine is safe when consumed in moderate doses – up to 400 milligrams a day is generally considered safe for most adults. This is roughly equivalent to four cups of filtered coffee.

However, the threshold for caffeine tolerance can vary significantly between people, depending on factors such as age, weight, health status and individual sensitivity to caffeine.

Excess caffeine occurs when a person ingests more caffeine than their body can safely assimilate. When this amount is exceeded, the body begins to show signs of overdose, as the central nervous system is overwhelmed by the excess stimulus. Symptoms of caffeine overdose can range from mild effects such as nervousness and insomnia, to more serious reactions such as cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.

Symptoms of excessive caffeine

Caffeine excess can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms that vary in intensity depending on the amount ingested and the sensitivity of the individual. These symptoms may appear soon after excessive consumption or accumulate over time if high caffeine intake is maintained.

Mild symptoms

The first symptoms of excessive caffeine are mild and easy to identify, if you pay attention. They are these;

• Nervousness or anxiety: feeling restless, difficulty relaxing. People may feel overly nervous or tense for no apparent reason, which can affect their ability to perform everyday tasks normally.
• Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep cycles, hindering a person’s ability to sleep soundly, leading to inadequate rest and fatigue the next day.
• Irritability: increased emotional sensitivity, mood swings. Too much caffeine can make a person feel more irritable or experience abrupt mood swings, affecting their relationships and emotional well-being.
• Nausea or upset stomach: feeling sick, possible vomiting. Caffeine can irritate the stomach and cause digestive upset, especially if consumed in large amounts without food.
• Muscle tremors or twitching: involuntary movements, especially in the hands and legs. These tremors are a sign that the nervous system is being overstimulated, which can be uncomfortable and worrying.

Moderate to severe symptoms

When we ignore the mild symptoms of caffeine excess, they become more complicated and can lead to the following symptoms:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat: palpitations, arrhythmias. These symptoms are particularly dangerous as they indicate that the heart is responding negatively to overstimulation, which could lead to serious cardiovascular problems.
• Breathing difficulty: feeling short of breath, rapid breathing. The person may experience difficulty breathing properly, which can lead to panic and further aggravate the situation.
• Vertigo: dizziness, sensation of spinning surroundings. Vertigo is a symptom that can make a person feel disoriented and unable to maintain balance.
• Agitation, confusion, hallucinations: altered mental state, distorted perception. In cases of more severe overdose, caffeine can significantly affect the brain, causing confusion, erratic behaviour and even hallucinations.
• Convulsions: uncontrollable body movements, loss of consciousness. Seizures are a sign that the nervous system has been severely affected, requiring immediate medical attention.
• Fever: elevation of body temperature with no apparent cause. Fever may be an indicator of an inflammatory response of the body to caffeine overdose.
• Increased thirst and urination: constant need to drink water, frequent urination. These symptoms may indicate an imbalance in the renal system caused by excess caffeine.
• Muscle twitching: involuntary and visible muscle contractions under the skin. These contractions are signs of neuromuscular overstimulation and can be annoying and worrying.

Now that you know what excess caffeine is and the symptoms it causes, it’s time to look at how to deal with it.

Action in case of caffeine overdose

When a person shows signs of caffeine overdose, action must be taken quickly to minimise the risks and avoid serious complications. Caffeine overdose can rapidly progress from mild to severe symptoms.

First steps

Let’s look at what to do and what not to do in the first place:

• Seek medical help immediately. The first action in the event of a caffeine overdose should be to contact the local emergency services or poison control centre. Caffeine overdose can be life-threatening, so medical intervention is essential.
• Do not induce vomiting. Although it may seem useful to induce vomiting to remove caffeine from the body, this should not be done unless instructed by a medical professional. Inducing vomiting incorrectly may cause more harm than good.
• Important information for emergencies. When contacting emergency services, it is useful to have the following information at hand:
  • Age, weight and physical condition of the person concerned
  • Name of the product that contained caffeine, the time of intake and the amount ingested. This information will help health professionals to make quick and appropriate treatment decisions.

Treatment in hospital

Once at the hospital, the doctors will do the following:

• Administration of activated charcoal. In many cases, activated charcoal is administered to reduce the absorption of caffeine into the body. This treatment is most effective if given soon after excessive caffeine intake.
• Use of laxatives or gastric lavage. Depending on the amount of caffeine ingested and the length of time since ingestion, doctors may choose to use laxatives or perform gastric lavage. These techniques help remove caffeine from the gastrointestinal tract before it is fully absorbed.
• Heart rhythm monitoring. Since caffeine overdose can cause serious arrhythmias, continuous heart rhythm monitoring is necessary. If irregularities are detected, medication can be administered to stabilise the heart.
• Use of a respirator in severe cases. In situations where caffeine overdose has caused severe breathing problems or affected nervous system function, the use of a respirator may be necessary to help the person breathe until the effects of the caffeine subside.

Preventing excess caffeine

Preventing caffeine overuse is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding the complications associated with caffeine overdose. Making a few simple changes to your daily routine can help you enjoy the benefits of caffeine without overdoing it and putting your health at risk.

To begin with, it is important to consider the following tips for limiting caffeine intake:

• Limit caffeine intake to no more than 400 milligrams per day. This is the limit generally considered safe for most adults. To give you an idea, this is roughly equivalent to four cups of filtered coffee.
• Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime to prevent insomnia. Caffeine can stay in your system for several hours, so it is important to avoid consuming it in the afternoon or evening.
• Be aware of hidden sources of caffeine. Caffeine is not only found in coffee or tea. It is also present in energy drinks, soft drinks and certain medications.

Too much caffeine can be dangerous

Too much caffeine can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. Hence the importance of recognising the symptoms of excessive caffeine and seeking medical help immediately in the event of a suspected overdose. Don’t forget that prevention is key, so limiting caffeine intake and being aware of its hidden sources can help avoid serious health problems.