User:Sam coultis/Caffeine allergies

Caffeine Allergy is an allergic reaction to the drug 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine that is found in several different foods and drink.{{cite web|first=[Citation needed]|title=[Citation needed]|url=[Citation needed]}}

In the event of a caffeine allergy, an individual may experience a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction to the ingestion of any type of caffeine. Unlike caffeine intolerance, people suffering with this type of allergy cannot consume even minute amounts of caffeine without endangering their physical and emotional well-being.{{cite web|first=WiseGeek|title=WiseGeek|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-caffeine-allergy.htm}}

Because caffeine allergy is not that well known by doctors, it is overlooked as a cause of a developed sensitivity, and an allergy. In general, it is largely overlooked because{{cite web|first=Citation Needed|title=Citation Needed|url=Citation Needed}} there are approximately seven cases of caffeine allergy in the medical literature.{{cite web|last=Whalen|first=Ruth|title=MLT (ASCP) & BA|url=http://www.goodtherapy.com.au/library_flex/caffeine_damages_physical_and_mental_health/565/1}}

Symptoms

Caffeine allergy symptoms range from a minor rash to life threatening seizures. The severity of the reaction depends on what the person is actually allergic to and to what extent a person is allergic.{{cite web|first=Energy fiend|title=Energy Fiend|url=http://www.energyfiend.com/caffeine-allergy-top-20-symptoms}}

Most Common Allergic Reactions to Caffeine:{{cite web|first=Energy fiend|title=Energy fiend|url=http://www.energyfiend.com/caffeine-allergy-top-20-symptoms}}

Skin problems such as hives, eczema, rashes, acne, severe itching
Headaches/migraines
Anxiety and panic attacks
Can’t focus or concentrate
Tongue, glands, or throat swelling
Heart racing/palpitations
Angry, irritable, bad mood
Fatigue
Dizziness
Extreme jitters
Chest Pain
Depression
Numbness in face, hands, or feet
Muscle pain
Shortness of breath/tightness of chest
Delusions/hallucinations
Flu/cold like symptoms
Vision problems
Cold sweats
Eyes swollen shut

People with Caffeine allergy may also experience, mania, frantic behavior and other symptoms that closely resembles mental disorders. Due to these symptoms, caffeine allergy can be mistaken as depression, obsessive compulsive, schizophrenia, attention deficit order (ADD), manic depressive or bipolar disorder. Clearly, caffeine allergy is a very serious condition that needs attention.{{cite web|first=Allergy Remedy|title=Allergy remedy|url=http://www.allergyremedy.org/caffeine_allergy.html}}

Other Symptoms including:

restlessness, mood swings, inability to focus, over-excitement, agitation.{{cite web|first=Allergy Remedy|title=Allergy remedy|url=http://www.allergyremedy.org/caffeine_allergy.html}} This list is not exclusive.

Causes

The cause of caffeine allergy is often related to substance abuse and tolerance. As a person’s caffeine intake increases, his tolerance to caffeine does too. As a result, excessive caffeine in the body can bring about allergic reactions to caffeine. Thus, when a person with caffeine allergy takes in even just a small amount of caffeine, the substance is rapidly absorbed by the nerves and organs in the body and will trigger the disorder.{{cite web|first=Allergy Remedy|title=Allergy Remedy|url=http://www.allergyremedy.org/caffeine_allergy.html}}

Sources and consumption

For more informatiom on Caffeine sources, see internal link on Caffeine - Sources and consumption.

Product / Caffeine

(in milligrams){{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}

Coffee (6 oz. cup)

Percolated 132 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Instant regular 64 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Decaffeinated 3 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Cola Drinks (12 oz) {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Coca-Cola Classic 46 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Tea (5 min. brew, 6 oz) 24-60 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}

Cocoa and chocolate

Cocoa beverage (water mix, 6 oz) 18 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Milk chocolate candy bar (8 oz) 48 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Baking chocolate (1 oz) 35 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
White chocolate 0 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}
Carob (chocolate substitute) 0 {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}

Nonprescription drugs {{cite web|last=Bruner|first=Rachel|title=About.com|url=http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm|work=Latter-day Saints Guide}}

Treatments

Like with all types of food allergies, there is no cure for a caffeine allergy. An individual who believes that he/she may be suffering from this condition should consult with a doctor.{{cite web|last=Disease.com|first=Disease.com|title=Disease.com|url=http://disease.disease.com/Signs/Allergies/Food-Allergies/caffeine-allergy.html}} Like most Allergies, mild caffeine allergy reactions can be treated with over the counter (OTC) Anti-histamines Or in severe cases of Anaphylaxis, an injection of Adrenaline (epinephrine) is administered.

Diagnosis

Proper clinical diagnosis of the allergy is an important step in recovering from a caffeine allergy. An allergist will use a sample of your blood and your skin to determine how your body reacts to the substance. Caffeine will be introduced into your blood in a laboratory to observe any reaction. If your blood creates immunoglobulin E antibodies, you are allergic to caffeine. Caffeine may also be injected under the top layer of your skin to see if your skin develops a rash.{{cite web|last=Live strong|first=Live strong|title=Allergies|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/434410-caffeine-allergy-recovery/}}

References

External links

http://www.allergyremedy.org/caffeine_allergy.html
http://www.energyfiend.com/caffeine-allergy-top-20-symptoms
http://www.livestrong.com/article/434410-caffeine-allergy-recovery/
http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa121202b.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-caffeine-allergy.htm
https://truecounsellor.com.au