Caffeine is the culprit behind coffee allergy signs and symptoms. Caffeine can be found in chocolate, soda, coffee and tea and is a common substance individuals consume on a daily basis. Some people have an allergy to coffee that can be masked by the stimulant effect of the caffeine. Some individuals acquire a caffeine allergy when their tolerance to caffeine increases and the individual requires more and more to get the same effect. An excessive amount of caffeine in the body can bring about an allergic reaction.
Anaphylactic-type Response
According to Ygoy, an estimated 80 percent of the U.S. adult population uses caffeine in one form or another every day. And allergic response to caffeine can resemble an anaphylactic response in that the individual may experience hyperventilation, tightness of the throat and difficulty breathing as well as chest pain. Caffeine anaphylaxis can result in cerebral vasculitis that eventually causes the collapse of the blood brain barrier and allows toxins to enter the brain cells.
Behavioral Changes
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases the amount of stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands to give the short-term benefit of heightened awareness and alertness. Caffeine is normally metabolized by the liver but, in individuals who have developed an allergic response or an inability to metabolize the drug quickly, it can remain in the body up to four days. According to AllergyRemedy.org, behavioral changes can include dizziness, blues swing, agitation, over-excitement and restlessness. In some cases individuals may experience delusions, mania and frantic behavior.
Mental Changes
According to DoctorYourSelf.com, an allergic response to caffeine will not occur with the first consumption. It is the result of increasing tolerance to increasing amounts of the drug in the body. Mental changes can resemble bipolar disorder and symptoms will include repetitive thought and action that is similar to excessive compulsive disorders, restlessness, psycho mortar agitation, alternating moods, anger, impulsiveness, impotence, delirium and buying sprees. Individuals may appear to have lost their prior set of values and will exhibit a lack of sexual inhibition. Allergic responses can also minute attention deficit disorder or schizophrenia.
