TheBuzzReads.com | Explore Popular Blogs

8 side effects of excessive caffeine consumption

If brewing yourself a warm cup of tea or coffee is among your first tasks of the day, you are not alone. Three in four people who consume caffeine in the country report having a caffeinated beverage at least once daily. In limited quantities, caffeine has several health benefits, including increased alertness, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and enhanced mood. However, in excess, this cuppa that cheers can have several detrimental side effects:

Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common side effects of excessive caffeine. A study found that caffeine six hours before bedtime reduced sleep time by one hour. It is best to avoid caffeinated beverages after sunset and generally limit caffeine intake even during the day to enhance the quality of sleep. Moreover, although caffeine typically stays in one’s system for five hours, it may remain in one’s body for anywhere between one to nine hours, depending on the person. Hence, one must observe one’s caffeine intake and consequent effects on sleep patterns and control their intake accordingly.

Headache
Frequent caffeine intake can trigger throbbing pain on the sides of one’s head. Such headaches are commonly called “caffeine headaches” and are particularly prevalent among individuals already prone to migraine. Caffeine headaches are typically caused by their effects on the brain’s electrical activity.

Frequent urination
Caffeine intake has been associated with an overly active bladder and even incontinence. Research has found that caffeine can increase the frequency and urgency of urination. Thus, individuals prone to urinary tract infections and incontinence should limit or avoid caffeinated beverages.

Increased palpitation
Excessive caffeine can increase one’s heartbeat, resulting in atrial fibrillation. Although this side effect does not occur among all caffeine drinkers, caffeine can increase one’s risk for the condition.

Fatigue
Although caffeinated beverages initially increase one’s alertness and act as mood boosters, they can have contrary effects once the body completely metabolizes caffeine. Fatigue and tiredness are common side effects of caffeinated drinks.

Blood sugar
Some individuals with type 2 diabetes report that their blood-sugar levels increase after caffeine consumption. Although caffeine may increase glucose levels marginally, it can still contribute to insulin resistance among patients grappling with the condition.

Digestive problems
Coffee has been associated with the release of gastrin, a hormone that accelerates colon activity. Moreover, such activity has been observed even after the consumption of decaffeinated coffee. Sometimes, coffee may improve the frequency of bowel movements among those suffering from constipation, but it can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems in other cases.

Caffeine addiction
Finally, caffeine can trigger the release of certain chemicals in the brain, paving the way for psychological and physical dependency on caffeinated beverages. Excessive consumption of caffeine over time can cause severe addiction to the element.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.