The Healthy Geezer
Caffeine is addictive; cut back BY FRED CICETTI
Q
Does caffeine bother you more the older you get?
Sensitivity to caffeine — the pick-me-up in coffee — tends to increase as you get older. Children metabolize caffeine quicker than adults. About 90% of Americans consume caffeine daily. More than half of all American adults consume more than 300 milligrams of caffeine every day, making it America’s most popular drug. Caffeine occurs naturally in many plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves and cocoa nuts. It is therefore found in a wide range of food products. Caffeine is added artificially to many others, including a variety of beverages. The most common sources of caffeine for Americans are coffee, tea, colas, chocolate and some overthe-counter medications. Here are some useful numbers to help you determine how much caffeine you take in: • A 6-ounce cup of coffee: 100 mg. • A 6-ounce cup of tea: 70 mg. • A 12-ounce can of cola: 50 mg. • An ounce of chocolate: 6 mg. • One tablet of Extra Strength Excedrin: 65mg. • One tablet of Anacin: 32 mg. • One tablet of Maximum Strength NoDoz: 200 mg. For most people, 200 to 300 milligrams a day isn’t harmful. But, if you are sensitive to caffeine or certain drugs, you may want to cut down or eliminate caffeine from your diet. Your caffeine consumption is
worth discussing with your doctor. Caffeine can cause restlessness, anxiety, irritability, muscle tremors, sleeplessness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea and abnormal heart rhythms. Some medicines and supplements interact negatively with caffeine. These include some antibiotics and bronchodilators. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether caffeine might affect the medicines you take. In the practice of medicine, caffeine is useful as a cardiac stimulant and also as a mild diuretic. Caffeine is an addictive drug. It stimulates like amphetamines, cocaine and heroin. If you feel you must have caffeine every day, then you are addicted to it. Eliminating caffeine suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue. These symptoms usually pass after several days. Here are some tips if you want to chase the caffeine monkey: • Read labels carefully for ingredients and keep track of the caffeine you consume. • Gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you take in. This will enable you to acclimate to less caffeine and reduce the effects of withdrawal. • Start drinking decaffeinated coffee, tea and soda. • Brew your tea for less time to cut down on caffeine. Or try herbal teas which are caffeine free. • Check the caffeine content in over-the-counter medications that you take. If you can, switch to caffeine-free forms of the medications you need.
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Friends came together to build a traditional roundhouse in Royce Manuel’s backyard. (Photos courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)
Hospice...continued from page 18 ple. “I’ve looked up to both of you for a long time, 15 or 20 years. I really respect what you have done in the community with the youth and families. Everywhere you go, you spread education. Whatever you have planned for your journey, however we can accommodate, that’s what we’re going to do.” Like Garza, Manuel’s hospice nurse and doctor feel humbled to share this rare and intimate space. “I’ve never stood in a structure like this before. This is amazing and something I’ll always remember,” Myers whispers. “Culturally sensitive care is a key foundation for us. In the seven years I’ve been coming to the reservation, I’ve had opportunities to add to my understanding of tribal ways. Entering each home gives me a little piece of history and another piece of understanding to take with me to the next home. Every visit, I’m appreciative for the lessons I get to learn.” Lessons that help Myers carry out a mission of comfort, compassion and — especially important to Manuel — dignity. We meet every patient right where they are, and we journey forward with them, with no agenda other than to honor what they need.” Adams agrees. “For me, it’s being culturally sensitive to the name they want to go by, which is not necessarily their given tribal name. Asking questions, taking time to listen to meaningful stories, fulfilling goals they set for themselves, and respecting what’s important to their family.” Nez-Manuel is grateful for it all. “The only way this was going to work is if we had Royce home and we had an opportunity to really honor his sense of spirituality. With Hospice of the Valley, we get to experience that. We all have the same mindset. That’s really important to people who are tribal, people who are Indigenous to Arizona,” she says. “The fact that we can have our spiritual guide here to keep Royce centered and peaceful, the fact that we are meeting in a roundhouse and not Lin Sue Cooney is director of community in a square room — it engagement at Hospice of the Valley. For information on services and programs, call 602means the world to us.” 530-6900 or visit hov.org.
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