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Caffeine
Caffeine occurs naturally in certain plants, nuts, and seeds. It is a stimulant that increases some of the body's natural processes.
Manufacturers at times add it to some drinks and call these "energy drinks". There are many products that contain caffeine and it is not always apparent how much or what these ingredients are. Like with everything, taking too much caffeine can be harmful.
Some of the typical side effects of caffeine can include:
- feeling more awake or alert
- feeling restless, anxious, or irritable
- increased body temperature
- dehydration
- headache
- faster breathing
- faster heart rate
Symptoms of consuming too much caffeine can include:
- very fast or irregular heartbeat
- shakiness
- feeling sick or vomiting
- confusion
- panic attack
If you think someone has taken too much caffeine, call the poison control center right away at
1-800-222-1222.
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Case#1
A 34 year old female called the poison center because she had recently started taking some "natural" diet pills to lose weight. She was complaining of feeling anxious and having palpitations. After consulting with one of our specialists it was recommended that she discontinue using the product to see if her symptoms disappeared. Upon follow-up the following day, the patient reported that her symptoms had disappeared. The specialist recommended she discontinue the use of that product and recommended she consult with her physician before using any other related products.
We received a call from a gentleman that was experiencing some symptoms after drinking his 3rd energy drink on the job. He began to feel light headed and his heart was racing. He explained that he had not slept well the night before and he had taken them to stay awake on the job. The specialist explained that since he was not a regular drinker, it was likely that these symptoms were related to having too much caffeine. It was recommended that he discontinue using the product and to refrain from any activities that required climbing or being in high altitudes and/working with any machinery and to call us back if the symptoms lasted longer than a few hours. Upon follow-up hours later, the patient was feeling better and was back to his regular duties at his jobsite.
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This time for the year many of us are thinking about a New Year's resolution. One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to lose weight, exercise more and be healthier.
For individuals with a strong desire to lose or maintain their weight, some diet supplements may seem like the magical solution. Some manufacturers of these types of products make extravagant promises about the properties of their drugs, but most of these claims are not backed up by clinical research.
In fact, the drugs that promise to help you shed pounds or burn fat may hold hidden dangers to your health. In spite of the risks of using diet supplements, the demand for these products continues to rise, especially among individuals with eating disorders. If you are thinking about weight loss, follow these simple tips to start your year off right and on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Will they work
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There are plenty of dietary supplements that will promise to help you lose weight, but are they safe? Some companies claim that the ingredients in their supplements can help you achieve results like these, but will they?
- Curb your cravings for food
- Make you feel full before you've had too much to eat
- Speed up your metabolism
- Slow down your body's fat production
- Keep your body from absorbing the fat in the foods you eat
What are the ingredients in weight-loss dietary supplements?
- There are usually many ingredients in these products. Substances like herbs, fiber, and minerals-in different amounts just to name a few. It is important to note that since these products are not well regulated, these lists are sometimes incomplete or inaccurate. These products can usually be found in various forms such as capsules, tablets, liquids, and powders.
- click here to see a list of common ingredients in dietary supplements
Why are weight loss pills dangerous?
Call for help
Remember, if you suspect that you or someone you know has been poisoned, call the toll-free Poison Help line at
your call connects you to your local poison center.
Expert help is available around the clock, every day, even on holidays! Program the poison control phone number into your cell phone today.
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