Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea and soft drinks. Caffeine poisoning or caffeine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount. Caffeine takes 5–30 minutes to circulate in the body after it has been consumed. Its effects will continue as long as it is in the blood, which is usually around 12 hours. You may begin experiencing adverse effects of excess caffeine intake as soon as you exceed about 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine per day. Serious injury or death due to caffeine overdose is extremely rare, but it is possible.
The following tips may help you treat a case of caffeine poisoning:
- Know the symptoms. The symptoms of caffeine intoxication can include anorexia, confusion, increased urination, a rambling flow of thought and speech, irritability, nausea, rapid heart rate, tremors and vomiting.
- Treat the symptoms. Make sure the victim is breathing and his nose and throat are clear. You can also monitor the heart rate. As soon as you identify the symptoms, get a medical help immediately. You can contact a doctor, poison control center or seek support treatment in a hospital. Some doctors may prescribe a laxative or activated charcoal tablets. Hospitals may also perform gastric lavage, which involves a tube inserted into the victim’s stomach through his nose to empty out anything that might be remaining in there. It is important to keep the victim stable and prevent more caffeine from entering his system.
- Induce vomiting. You can induce vomiting if the caffeine was taken within the last few minutes. It will prevent caffeine from being absorbed into the victim’s system. You can do this by sticking your finger down the throat so that the victim will throw up the pills or excessive liquid. However, it is safer to contact a poison center before you induce vomiting to ensure that it’s the right step to take for the victim’s particular circumstances.
- Allow caffeine withdrawal to take place. According to com this method may help treat caffeine poisoning. Caffeine withdrawal usually starts about 12 to 24 hours after the last intake of caffeine. It may cause shakes, increased irritability, headaches, body aches and an inability to concentrate. Withdrawal typically takes about 4 or 5 days to subside, though the worst of the symptoms take place around the second day. The symptoms can be prevented by slowly cutting off the caffeine supply rather than going cold turkey. Steadily shrinking the amount of beverages you consume or the amount of caffeine in each beverage will allow your body to adjust and let you reach a caffeine-free state without undue anxiety
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