How much caffeine is too much?

Mayo Clinic reports 400mg a day as a safe amount for healthy adults.

Mayo Clinic reports 400 mg a day as a safe amount for healthy adults.

When I heard on the news that an 18 year old had died from a caffeine overdose, the image that immediately came to mind was a stack of empty energy drinks.  That, however, is not what happened.  The high school senior had consumed a teaspoon or more of powered caffeine, 16 times the recommended dose.

The Mayo Clinic reports 400 milligrams of caffeine a day as a safe amount for healthy adults.  Adolescents should consume no more than 100 mg.

To put this into perspective, check out these numbers from Consumer Reports:

5-hour Energy Extra Strength 242 milligrams
Rockstar Energy Shot 229 milligrams
NOS High Performance Energy Drink 224 milligrams
Monster X-presso 221 milligrams
Full Throttle 210 milligrams
8 oz cup of StarBucks coffee 165 milligrams
Monster Energy 92 milligrams
Red Bull Energy Drink 83 milligrams
Standard cup of coffee 100 milligrams

 

Basically these are saying that if you consume two or more of the high end energy drinks you are way over the recommended safe amount and are putting yourself at risk.  The same for four or more cups of regular coffee.

According to WebMD caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS), heart, muscles, and the centers that control blood pressure.  If you take too much, blood vessels can constrict, decreasing blood flow to the heart.  This can result in the following symptoms:

  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Stomach upset
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Muscle tremors

A large dose of caffeine can result in heart attacks and seizures.  That’s what happened to the high school senior.  His autopsy revealed he had died of seizures and cardiac arrhythmia, or an abnormal heartbeat, brought on by a caffeine overdose.

So this week, as you reach for that Monster or cup of joe, take a moment to consider how much caffeine you’ve consumed.  Perhaps it’s time for decaf….

Submitted by Tina Comston, M.Ed.

Reviewed by Mary Lynn Kiacz, MD

Ebola: Should I be worried?

Worried – no.  Informed – yes.

Ebola is rare.  It is not an airborne illness and is not easily spread –

West African countries affected by Ebola.

West African countries affected by Ebola.

so disregard any thoughts of The Last Ship (www.tstdrama.com/TheLastShip) scenario playing out any time in the near future.

Presently the Ebola outbreak is concentrated in West Africa, specifically Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria.  That’s approximately 5,000 miles away from The Ohio State University.  That being said, with the ease of travel these days, someone could be in West Africa today and on campus tomorrow, so it’s good to be informed.

Here’s what you need to know:

Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily secretions (stool, urine, saliva, or sweat).  This could be through:

  • Coming in contact with a secretion, perhaps while caring for someone, and then touching your eyes, nose,  mouth, or an open wound
  • Touching an object that has been contaminated and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound
  • Eating/handling infected animals (bats, monkeys, rodents, pigs)

The incubation period, that is, the time from contact with the virus until symptoms occur, is usually 5 to 7 days but can last as long as  21 days.  Individuals with no symptoms are not contagious.

Symptoms of Ebola include:

  • High fever, > 101.5
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain

If you have been in direct personal contact with anyone who is from or has traveled to one of the West Africa countries listed above or have handled an animal from one of these countries and you experience these symptoms, seek care at the Wexner Medical Center.

If you will be traveling to Africa, the CDC recommends the following:

  • Careful attention to hygiene. Avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids.
  • Do not handle items that may have contacted infected person’s blood or body fluids.
  • Avoid contact with animals or raw meat.
  • Avoid foreign hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated.  The US Embassy or consulate can provide information on facilities that are suitable for your needs.
  • Monitor health for 21 days if you were in an area with an Ebola outbreak .

Submitted by JoHanna D’Epiro, P.A.

Edited by Tina Comston, M.Ed.

Reviewed by Mary Lynn Kiacz, M.D., Gladys Gibbs, M.D.