Caffeine Overdose - Glossary

Caffeine: A stimulant found naturally in coffee, tea, chocolate, and cocoa; may be added to soft drinks, over-the-counter drugs, etc.

Central Nervous System (CNS): This includes the brain and spinal cord.

Convulsion: A sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of the muscles, and is usually associated with brain disorders. Very high doses of caffeine can cause convulsions.

Fibrocystic breast disease: A benign condition of the breast characterized by lumps that vary with the menstrual cycle.

Hallucination: An experience involving perception of something which is not actually present.

Hemodialysis: It is a procedure for purifying the blood when the kidneys are not functioning. The patient’s blood is removed from the body and passed through a dialysis membrane which separates out the toxic substances from the normal constituents of blood. Hemodialysis is recommended for detoxifying the blood in severe caffeine toxicity.

Hemoperfusion: It is a treatment procedure in which large volumes of the patient’s blood are passed over an adsorbent substance in order to remove toxic substances from the blood. In severe caffeine toxicity, hemoperfusion is recommended.

Jitters: Feeling of extreme nervousness.

Methylxanthine: It is a derivative of xanthine, which is a purine base found in human body tissues and fluids. In methylxanthine, a methyl group is a substituent in the xanthine molecule. Caffeine is an example of a methylxanthine.

Osteoporosis: A disease in which bones become thin, weak and are easily fractured.

Seizure: A sudden attack of illness. High doses of caffeine can cause seizures.