Consuming too much caffeine can lead to physical and mental symptoms such as skin problems, headaches, heart palpitations, mood swings, and hallucinations. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other mental health problems. Caffeine intolerance can occur when the body cannot metabolize caffeine, leading to negative reactions such as bloating, chest pains, and muscle pains. Caffeine is present in many drinks and foods, and reducing intake can reduce the risk of a caffeine allergy.
Symptoms of a caffeine allergy can affect both an individual’s physical and mental well-being. Some of the physical problems include skin problems, headaches and heart palpitations. Other symptoms include mood swings, inability to concentrate and hallucinations. Due to the nature of these symptoms, they are often mistaken for other mental health problems such as depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or schizophrenia. While many of the symptoms seem harmless, they shouldn’t be ignored.
A caffeine allergy can occur when too much caffeine is consumed on a regular basis. The more caffeine you consume, the more tolerant you become; however, this tolerance can eventually lead to caffeine intolerance. When this happens, the body cannot metabolize the caffeine as it should and, therefore, ends up being absorbed by the organs. As a result, even a small amount of caffeine can trigger a flare-up of symptoms.
Too much caffeine has been known to increase the heart rate in any person, whether or not the individual has a sensitivity to caffeine. The severity of the effect depends on each individual as some are able to tolerate more than others. Other common symptoms include skin conditions, such as rashes, eczema and acne. Migraines and chest and muscle pains are also indicators of a caffeine allergy.
Bloating is another negative reaction to caffeine. This can occur in the tongue and throat, as well as the eyes. If swelling occurs in the throat or if the chest feels tight, it can make it difficult for the individual to breathe. A caffeine allergy can also produce symptoms such as cold sweats and other symptoms that mimic a cold or the flu.
For most people, caffeine generally helps improve mood and concentration levels when taken in moderation. When a caffeine allergy is present, however, the opposite occurs and can leave the individual unable to concentrate, confused and irritable. Loss of focus and concentration resemble the symptoms of ADD and, therefore, are often misdiagnosed and treated as such. Additionally, altered states of mind often lead to anxiety and depression.
In severe cases, the individual is prone to experiencing hallucinations and mania. This type of behavior is often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. A seizure, which is a condition in which electrical function in the brain is disrupted, can also occur in severe reactions to caffeine.
Coffee is one of the most common drinks with caffeine; however, there are many other beverages, such as energy drinks, soft drinks, and teas, that also contain caffeine. Caffeinated foods include candy bars and anything containing chocolate, such as chocolate cake or chocolate ice cream. Avoiding caffeine altogether may not be feasible for some, but reducing your intake reduces your risk of a caffeine allergy.
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