Too Much Caffeine? Here’s How to Tell & What You Can Do About It

Many rely on caffeine to get them through the day – and for good reason. Caffeine can help improve energy and performance. It can fight fatigue. It can even have a positive impact on certain health conditions, like inflammation, obesity, migraines, and cardiovascular disease.

But having one too many cups can leave you feeling less than ideal. So, how can you tell when you've indulged in too much caffeine?

Common Symptoms of Too Much Caffeine

Everyone’s body metabolizes caffeine differently. This makes it difficult to know how much caffeine you should have on any given day. Once you cross that caffeine line, you might find yourself experiencing one or more of these common yet milder symptoms:

  • Jitteriness
  • Anxiety
  • Dehydration or increased thirst
  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Sodium or water retention
  • High blood pressure
  • Digestive issues, like diarrhea

Though rare, it’s possible to overdose on caffeine. This can result in more severe and concerning symptoms, like:

  • Increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, or palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Trouble breathing
  • Severe dehydration
  • Vomiting

If you experience one of these telltale signs shortly after having caffeine, you may have taken a bit too much. If necessary, be sure to seek medical attention.

What Do You Do When You’ve Had Too Much Caffeine?

If you’ve had too much caffeine, chances are you’ll notice it within the first 45 minutes after consuming it. When that happens, the effects can last for as long as 3-5 hours or, up to 10 hours. Yikes!

Learning what to look for when it comes to too much caffeine is an important first step. This will help you recognize when to cut it off.. But what should you do if you accidentally have too much? Here are three ways to help you manage some of the more mild symptoms:

  1. Drink water. You may have heard that caffeine, specifically coffee, can be a diuretic. It can also stimulate your bladder. This double whammy can lead to dehydration. So, to offset it, make sure to drink plenty of water and reach for foods that are high in water such as watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries.
  2. Eat high-fiber foods. When you have food in your stomach, it can help slow the absorption of caffeine in your body which minimizes the secondary effects of caffeine in the bloodstream. Even better is to eat foods that are high in fiber such as lentils, seeds, nuts, and starchy vegetables. (Plus, fiber can also bulk up your stool and help to relieve diarrhea caused by the caffeine.It’s a win-win!)
  3. Get moving. The extra caffeine in your body can give you a nice energy boost but might leave you feeling a bit shaky. Try burning off the excess energy by doing a little exercise. Grab your yoga mat for a power yoga session, or throw on your shoes for a quick stroll!

Caffeine in moderation isn’t a bad thing, especially when it comes from green tea (one of our favorites!). Better to keep the black coffee to a minimum to avoid the jitters or upset stomach that can follow.

Keep an Eye on Your Caffeine Levels

We’ve all been there – when you realize you’ve had one cup too many. Once it’s down the hatch, you can’t do much about it. However, there are a few super-simple ways you can minimize the unwanted side-effects. 

If you suspect caffeine could be contributing to your health challenges, we’ve got even more ways to help you kick the habit and improve your overall health without losing the quick ‘pick-me-up’ effects. Let us know and we’ll get you on the road to better health right away!

 

 

Happy Patients

I have had back issues most of my life. Since starting treatments with Dr Greg I have had no more issues. It's such a relief to be able to be physical at the high level I want to be. I am able to maintain wellness by seeing Dr Greg on a regular basis. Thank you Dr Greg!!

Michael L.

Hello! I just want to say that you are truly a healer! After leaving your office last Monday, I was more able to breathe, truly breathe - after having suffered all weekend to take a deep breath due to a "rib out of place" OK - if you say so....all I know is that, though I continued to have a bit of pain in my upper back and neck for a day or two, I could take wonderful, glorious deep breaths thanks to your treatment. Thanks again for all you do! Even if I do make many sound affects while you are treating me - "OUCH!!! Hmmmph!! Ughhh!! Really???" I truly appreciate your healing touch....

MMW

I have had Parkinson's Disease for 8 years.  I have developed arthritis in my back and hips. The stiffness of the Parkinson's and the arthritis has caused me a lot of pain. Because of that unrelenting pain I was unable to exercise. Exercise is an important part of pain management for Parkinson's.  Since I have been seeing Dr. Krapf I am feeling much better and his care has allowed me to begin exercising again, which has improved my overall well being. In the past I have been treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. Dr. Krapf's chiropractic manipulations have had an amazing impact on my health and happiness. I highly recommend Dr. Krapf to anyone who needs excellent chiropractic care and the many alternative therapies he offers. I would say he is magical!

When my friend received excellent care from Dr. Krapf, she recommended him to me. I have had gastrointestinal problems for nearly 50 years that have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease with lactose intolerance. All that, including unrelieved stress had made me unhappy and unhealthy. Today I am a different person with the help of Dr. Greg. The Gastro issues are practically nonexistent, my stress levels have plummeted, and my body is changing. I am so grateful for Dr. Greg and his healing hands.

Mary Ann L.

Our family have been patients of Krapf chiropractic for a few decades. We have several success stories archived. The most recent event involves our youngest son who is completing his senior year of high school. He has been a patient of Krapf Chiropractic (KCA) since birth. He has been an avid soccer player since the age of four and has sustained numerous injuries over the years. Dr. Krapf has successfully assisted in every recovery.

Most recently, he began complaining of his feet hurting while playing soccer. Both feet hurt - particularly the balls of his feet while running and cutting. He came to Dr. Greg with his complaint as this was seriously affecting his game. Dr. Greg evaluated the situation and decided a foot scan should be done. The finding was dropped arches. My son was fitted for orthotics. They arrived within days and he wore these as directed. Within a few short weeks he is now playing full games pain free.

SC

I first called Krapf Chiropractic when my back was so bad that I couldn't get up off the floor. It's been a blessing to have Dr. Greg help me with my overall wellness and health! I find this to be a place where you are not a number and everyone cares. Mollie is always cheerful and reminds me to come. Erin is always smiling and helps relax me when I'm in pain. I would not be functioning if I did not have Krapf Chiropractic to keep me going. As I get older my appreciation deepens, especially when I see people around me who are suffering with back problems. If they only knew how helpful this is. I believe Dr. Greg treats the person not the symptoms. Thank you

Debbie B.

I've been lucky to have exceptional health care from the beginning. At the beginning, seventy-six-plus years ago, Hugh Rodgers brought me into the world in mother and dad's second-floor bedroom in our dairy farm home. Hugh's son, Hugh, Jr., practiced with his dad and beyond caring for my parents, he, also, cared for hundreds of others and me. Roughly forty years ago, a friend suggested I make an appointment with Richard Krapf for help with back-pain. Richard treated the pain that, often, was debilitating, and on Richard's death, his son, Greg became the second second generation to help me from one place to another. I'm grateful to Hugh, Hugh, Richard and, perhaps, most of all, to Greg.

N.C.

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