Caffeine consumption as a mildly addictive drug is second only to nicotine among Americans today. Although caffeinism is not a serious addiction, caffeine's abuse can cause a temporary fluid imbalance (dehydration), calcium-phosphorus imbalance, quickened respiratory process, over stimulation of kidneys, excitation of brain function, and undesirable central nervous system stimulation.

That's in addition to aggravation of existing heart and arteriole disorders, and stomach lining irritation due to a 400% increase in gastric acids. Caffeine interferes with the absorption of thiamine by 75% and iron by 90%.

A host of other vitamins and minerals are lost through caffeine's diuretic effect. For this reason, caffeine ingestion should be discouraged especially during and shortly after meals. In the advent of the ever increasing distribution and consumption of caffeine containing beverages, we have literally become the "caffeine generation"! The aforementioned effects of caffeine ingestion are often reason enough to discourage its use.

Dependent upon individual body processes and various tolerance levels, caffeinism may be present at an ingestion level of as little as 200 mgs/day. Vast numbers of people potentially suffer from caffeinism and aren't even aware of it. How can you suffer from something and not be aware of it, you ask?

Withdrawals

During the preliminary consultation appointment with a client, one of the things you ask pertains to his or her ingestion of caffeine containing beverages. If the individual's answer adds up to 200 mgs or more per day, ask him or her to abstain from caffeine for 48 hours. If the client contacts you complaining of lightheadedness, heart palpitations, headaches, or insomnia, suggest the ingestion of a small quantity of a favorite caffeine containing beverage. If within a short time the symptoms disappear, they are suffering from caffeinism.

The most common of all withdrawal symptoms of caffeinism are headaches. Among other things, caffeine causes the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters that constrict blood vessels in the regions of the brain. If caffeine is discontinued, the absence of these neurotransmitters cause the vessels to dilate excessively, pressing these vessel walls against brain tissues. This pressure is the source of a very painful headache and therefore proof of the client's dependence upon the drug caffeine.

So, if your client intends to "kick the habit", inform him or her that dependent upon the amount of caffeine used, and the duration of his or her dependency, recovery may take as little as a few days or as long as 1 to 2 weeks.

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