Caffeinism

Classification according to ICD-10
F15	Mental and behavioral disorders from other stimulants, including caffeine
T43	Poisoning by psychotropic substances, not elsewhere classified
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

As caffeine dependence on the one hand an acute poisoning with caffeine , on the other hand also referred to a chronic dependence of caffeine. Colloquially also called coffee addiction , it describes the addiction to chronic intake of caffeine or the abuse of beverages containing caffeine such as coffee , tea or energy drinks .

Symptoms

Acute caffeine intoxication ( ICD-10 code F15.0) mainly causes psychological disorders with the symptoms restlessness, agitation, psychological changes, tachycardia , urination and insomnia. Serious poisoning can also lead to circulatory collapse .

Dose-dependent symptoms of chronic caffeinism are:

Central nervous system stimulation and insomnia

Increase in heart activity, blood pressure and increase in pulse rate

Difficulty concentrating or increasing concentration
Hyperactivity
uncontrolled movements
Withdrawal headache
diarrhea
Anxiety disorder

Researchers observe a potassium deficiency associated with muscle paralysis when consuming high levels of caffeinated cola drinks.

effect

Caffeine is chemically similar to adenosine and occupies nerve cells in its place. The caffeine takes the place of the adenosine, which is supposed to protect the brain from "overexertion", but without having the same effect. Thus, irritability increases. After a few days, the nerve cells react to the missing adenosine and develop more receptors in order to be able to absorb adenosine again. In order to achieve the desired effect of the caffeine, the dose has to be increased: this is an addictive factor. The first symptoms of intoxication appear at doses above 1 g of caffeine. These include a strongly accelerated pulse and extrasystoles . 1 g of caffeine corresponds to 10 liters of commercially available cola or about 12 aluminum cans of 250 ml each of commercially available energy drinks.

Withdrawal symptoms

A 2004 study recommended that caffeine withdrawal syndrome be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . According to her, withdrawal symptoms usually appear 12 to 24 hours after the last caffeine consumption. They are strongest during the first day or two and go away in around two to nine days.

For the diagnosis of withdrawal syndrome according to ICD-10 (code F15.3), in addition to a dysphoric mood (e.g. sadness), at least two of the following symptoms must be present:

Lethargy and fatigue
psychomotor slowdown or restlessness
Desire for stimulant substances
Increased appetite
Sleep disorders , such as sleeplessness (insomnia) or the need to sleep more often (hypersomnia)
bizarre or uncomfortable ( nightmares ) dreams

literature

Robert M. Julien: Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs. Spektrum, Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg / Berlin / Oxford 1997, p. 173.
BS Victor, M. Lubetsky, JF Greden: Somatic manifestations of caffeinism. In: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Volume 42, 1981, PMID 7217021 , pp. 185-188.
Christoph von Berg: Food technology and food chemistry aspects. In: The physics of the classic espresso machine . Website of the Association for the Promotion of Physical and Chemical Education, 2005, pp. 70–73. ( PDF; 799 kB )

Web links

Coffee addiction, caffeine addiction, caffeinism: And: is there caffeine withdrawal? in knowledgeActive.
Dunja Riebesel: Enjoyment: The truth about coffee . In: Focus . January 9, 2008.

Footnotes

^ Roche Lexicon Medicine. 5th edition. Urban & Fischer, 2003.
↑ V. Tsimihodimos, V. Kakaidi, Moses Elisaf: Cola-induced hypokalaemia: pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications. In: International Journal of Clinical Practice. Vol. 63, May 13, 2009, doi: 10.1111 / j.1742-1241.2009.02051.x , pp. 900-902.
^ Clifford D. Packer: Cola-induced hypokalaemia: a super-sized problem. In: International Journal of Clinical Practice. Vol. 63, May 13, 2009, doi: 10.1111 / j.1742-1241.2009.02066.x , pp. 833-835.
↑ Doctor's warning: Cola steals strength from the body . In: Spiegel Online . May 19, 2009.
^ Brockhaus ABC chemistry. VEB FA Brockhausverlag, Leipzig 1971.
↑ Laura M. Juliano, Roland R. Griffiths: A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features. In: Psychopharmacology. Vol. 176, no. 1, 2004, doi: 10.1007 / s00213-004-2000-x , pp. 1-29.
↑ Sid Kirchheimer: Caffeine Withdrawal Is Real . In: CBS News . September 30, 2004.
↑ George Studeville: Caffeine Addiction Is a Mental Disorder, Doctors Say . In: National Geographic Magazine . January 19, 2005.

[1] Roche Lexicon Medicine. 5th edition. Urban & Fischer, 2003.

[2] V. Tsimihodimos, V. Kakaidi, Moses Elisaf: Cola-induced hypokalaemia: pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications. In: International Journal of Clinical Practice. Vol. 63, May 13, 2009, doi: 10.1111 / j.1742-1241.2009.02051.x , pp. 900-902.

[3] Clifford D. Packer: Cola-induced hypokalaemia: a super-sized problem. In: International Journal of Clinical Practice. Vol. 63, May 13, 2009, doi: 10.1111 / j.1742-1241.2009.02066.x , pp. 833-835.

[4] Doctor's warning: Cola steals strength from the body . In: Spiegel Online . May 19, 2009.

[5] Brockhaus ABC chemistry. VEB FA Brockhausverlag, Leipzig 1971.

[6] Laura M. Juliano, Roland R. Griffiths: A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features. In: Psychopharmacology. Vol. 176, no. 1, 2004, doi: 10.1007 / s00213-004-2000-x , pp. 1-29.

[7] Sid Kirchheimer: Caffeine Withdrawal Is Real . In: CBS News . September 30, 2004.

[8] George Studeville: Caffeine Addiction Is a Mental Disorder, Doctors Say . In: National Geographic Magazine . January 19, 2005.