caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive stimulant in the world. It is contained in coffee, tea, many soft drinks. But lately gaining popularity concentrated powdered form of caffeine is a powerful substance, the consumption of which may lead to irreversible consequences.
According to the calculations of physicians, one teaspoon of powder is equivalent to about 28 cups of coffee. In the United States and several European countries have already been several deaths after the intake of caffeine.
a Detailed study on the effect of psychostimulant in the form of powder held resuscitator Rebecca Harston from the hospital name of Queen Elizabeth in London.
– the Use of caffeine in the amount of one-two grams in the body causes significant toxic effect. Overdose leading to death have occurred after ingestion of just over five grams of powder and when the concentration of caffeine in the blood of more than 80 mg/liter, – explained the medic.
Harston described the case of 26-year-old British woman who arrived in the emergency Department once took two teaspoons of caffeine “with a hill” – about 20 grams. Women have observed abnormally rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, sweating and nausea.
– the patient has any form of abnormal heart rhythm called polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Also, she developed metabolic acidosis – accumulation of acid in the body, imbalance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in blood and a large number of leukocytes. Substitution therapy with use of the liquid and the salt solution did not produce results, after which the woman was placed in intensive care, – said the doctor.
to save the patient, doctors in the emergency format is developed appropriate method: intravenous bicarbonate for changes in acid-base status, the introduction of magnesium sulfate for the neutralization of arrhythmias and noradrenaline to blood pressure, as well as drugs to eliminate toxins from the kidneys.
Resuscitator noted that the number of measures taken is indicative of a high toxicity of caffeine, in large doses, it violates a wide range of metabolic processes. The surviving patient was subsequently also needed psychiatric help.
According to Harston and her colleagues, due to the increasing popularity of powdered caffeine has arisen the need to develop common standards of reception of substances and methods of treatment for his overdose.
