Many people have discovered that they have caffeine sensitivity symptoms when they consume drinks like coffee, tea, energy drinks and most sodas. Caffeine not only can affect people in a number of ways, it can also produce dependence.
When we find ourselves experiencing these symptoms while depending on consuming caffeine so we can function normally during the day, or just to stay awake, it can become a vicious cycle. Even trying to stop using caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can be serious and debilitating for some people.
The experts agree. In the latest edition of the authoritative mental health manual of the American Psychiatric Association, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), caffeine intoxication is now listed as a certified psychiatric mental health disorder.
The Top 20 Caffeine Sensitivity Symptoms
Some of the most common caffeine sensitivity symptoms are listed below. You should be aware that even if you consume caffeine only occasionally, it’s still possible you may experience a few of these symptoms:
- agitation
- anxiety
- bleeding disorders
- chest pains
- diarrhea
- headaches
- high blood pressure
- increased bowel activity
- increased eye pressure
- increased respiration
- insomnia
- irregular heart rate
- irritability
- nausea
- nervousness
- restlessness
- ringing in the ears
- sleep disorders
- stomach irritation
- worsen diabetes
Taking steps to relief
If you consume caffeine and notice any of these symptoms, try following these steps to see if you find relief:
In order to lessen the symptoms, try cutting back on your caffeine intake. The best way to avoid caffeine sensitivity symptoms is to try weaning yourself away from the drug and consuming lesser amounts. Begin a journal of all the times you regularly consume caffeine and the amounts you’re putting into your system.
Is reducing your caffeine intake the answer?
Reducing your daily caffeine intake by about 50 mg each day is usually recommended to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms. If you have been normally drinking four cups of coffee each day, then gradually cut back to three, then two and then one. If you need to continue drinking the same number of cups each day, then consider decreasing the caffeine content in each one that you consume by slowly switching to a mixture of part decaffeinated and part regular coffee.
Avoiding caffeine sensitivity symptoms requires that you decrease your intake of the drug slowly until you don’t experience the symptoms anymore. If you find that you need to completely eliminate caffeine from your diet, continuing the process of decreasing the caffeine you take in each day until it’s eliminated completely.
Eating healthier
Another way to ease your sensitivity to caffeine is to make sure you keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of liquids. Of course make sure than none of them contain caffeine. Plain water or water flavored waters that contain fruit, citrus, or other flavorful mixers will help the symptoms without adding additional caffeine to your diet.
Consuming healthier foods like fresh vegetables and fruits helps keep your body nourished properly and is crucial to help you fight off caffeine sensitivity symptoms. Fruits and vegetables will also help to reduce any acidifying effects from caffeine and will also help to flush toxins from your system.
Eating plenty of legumes, unrefined grain products, high fiber foods and healthy proteins and fats will add fiber to your system and help to move toxins out of your body and help stabilize your digestion.
Many other foods you consume may be adding to your caffeine intake. Not only are all the regular sources of caffeine on this list, including most sodas, teas, and coffees, but so are most chocolates and chocolate drinks. Burgers, fries, breaded chicken and practically any fast-foods will probably contain more grease and fat than your system can handle and make your symptoms even worse.
Caffeine sensitivity symptoms can also be helped by keeping yourself fit and exercising 20 to 25 minutes regularly each day. Get up from your desk and take a brisk walk around the office or go outside and breathe in the fresh air. Exercising lets loose a flood of endorphins that will help curb some of the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Reducing stress
Caffeine sensitivity symptoms can also keep you awake at night. Getting the right kind and amount of sleep can be difficult unless you follow some basic rules:
- Keep the bedroom dark, quiet and cool.
- Use blackout shades or heavy curtains
- Wear earplugs or use a sound device
- Lower the temperature to between 60 and 75 degrees
- Leave your laptop or smartphone somewhere else, but not in the bedroom
- Try some relaxation techniques, such as taking deep breaths and counting backward.
Although exercise, proper nutrition and reducing stress can help you with caffeine sensitivity symptoms, sometimes headaches or muscle pain and stiffness just will not go away. In the event you’re desperate to try medications to relieve the pain, aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may be worth a try.
Usually our body builds up a tolerance to caffeine when we consume it daily. This means that the more we consume, the more we require in order to get the “boost” we once did. But caffeine sensitivity symptoms can create a problem for some and they need to be dealt with so our body will begin to work normally and more naturally once again.
Caffeine is a drug and everyone’s body will react to it a little differently. If we enjoy caffeine and its effects but suffer from caffeine sensitivity symptoms, cutting back or eliminating caffeine from our system may be the best alternative.
It’s important to remember that caffeine sensitivity symptoms can be serious and they need to be addressed properly. If you think you’re experiencing the symptoms of being overly sensitive to the effects of caffeine, try some of the remedies above. If you still continue to feel negative effects, then consider seeing your doctor or healthcare professional and get expert advice before they become even more serious.
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