MEN AT THE TABLE: CAFFEINE CASE STUDY
A doctor reported that one afternoon a man came into his room complaining of poor sleeping patterns, profuse sweating, ongoing chest pain, palpitations and headaches. His symptoms were not new. He had suffered them for 3 years and produced a wad of papers from doctors he had previously consulted.
Having been through months of extensive tests, he was confident he was not having a heart attack. Tired of the medical run-around, he wanted answers. A standard examination yielded nothing apart from clammy skin, a rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, a fine tremor in the hands and a sense of restlessness. Having a special interest in nutrition, the doctor went back to the beginning and started with a detailed dietary review. Within seconds the diagnosis became evident. He was a caffeine fiend. All day he virtually had one continuous cup of coffee. It began with two before work, then about one an hour at the office and another four during the evening.
A gradual ‘caffeine fading’ program was devised and he went away with detailed instructions for the next two weeks. A fortnight later he was a changed person. He had followed the program, replaced the bulk of his coffee with plain water and had improved on every front.
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