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You have probably heard the phrase, "I just can't wake up without a strong cup of coffee." You may have even said it. Besides the love of coffee's flavor, the addiction and reliance on caffeine may work into the equation as well. This addiction is not limited to coffee drinkers. Those who consume energy drinks, soda, appetite suppressants, diet pills, "alertness pills," and so on, may have a mental and physical reliance on caffeine. Many of these people need to be aware to the possible side effects.
Certain patient populations should avoid caffeine almost all together. People who suffer from the following problems should monitor their caffeine intake:
Irregular heartbeat
Acid reflux
Anxiety disorder
Impaired kidney or liver function
Seizure disorder
Stomach Ulcers
High blood pressure
Even if a person has no medical reason to beware of caffeine use, there are possible side effects from overuse. Some side effects could include:
Increased heart rate
Chest pain
Skin itchiness
Agitation
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A 12 ounce cup of coffee generally contains 200mg of caffeine. That is roughly 4 times the amount contained in a 12 ounce soda. Besides containing large portions of caffeine, energy drinks usually contain other ingredients that have similar effects. Alertness pills such as NoDoz and Vivarin contain 200mg of caffeine per tablet. Other products that people may not associate with caffeine content would include migraine (Excedrin) and PMS (Midol) products.
The bottom line is that too much caffeine can have very negative consequences for some people. So whether you are "pulling an all-nighter" for finals, waking up early in the morning, or attempting a long drive at night, it is important to ingest caffeine in moderation.
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