4 posts tagged “coffee”

        Tonight I am beside myself with glee. 

        For the first time in all my coffee-drinking years a barista spelled my name correctly without me telling her how it was spelled.  They always spell my nickname wrong – it’s spelled with a k, they usually spell it with a c.  And the times when I spell out my name so they can write it correctly they call out my name wrong.

        I’m really a Seattle’s Best Coffee drinker, but tonight I’m soooo loving Starbucks.

Death by Medicine:  
        Polypharmacy and geriatrics:  A few years ago, Don Ireland found himself in and out of hospitals "due to falls, strokes and suspected heart attacks".  He could barely talk, walk or feed himself and was often asleep.  The diagnosis was -- too many medications.  Ireland, now 91 years old, has cut down on his treatment regimen and since regained his chipper self.  Reporters claim that the elderly are being poisoned by prescription drugs that are supposed to make them feel better.
        This is one reason why I admire geriatrics/gerontology specialists.  There are just too many things that could go wrong with treating elderly patients who have multiple co-morbidities.  There are no simple cases.  Even the sniffles could lead to more severe medical conditions.
        For a lengthier read, check out The Sydney Morning Herald.

Man's heart stops after Red Bull Overdose:
          On the tail of a double espresso overdose comes a tale of another caffeine-containing stimulant OD.           
          Matthew Penbross, 28, collapsed after he consumed eight Red Bull energy drinks in five hours.  He drank the Red Bull while competing in a motorcross event "to get a bit of a buzz".  Penbross' noted that his heart was racing and collapsed soon after.  His heart stopped and he needed defibrillation.
        Coffee has gotten me through many sleepless nights while studying and while on 24-hour duty in hospitals.  My sister used to gulp down Red Bull when she was still in college.  I never tried it though.  I always thought coffee was enough for me (it usually was).  I doubt I'll be trying any energy drink in the future.

"I think I'll stick to cappucinos . . ."

        A 17-year old teenager working in her family's sandwich shop developed fever and hyperventilation after drinking 7 double espressos.  Although I'm very much a coffee drinker (my friends actually call me a caffeine addict, I beg to differ and consider myself only a dependent at times) I know I am a long, long way from overdosing on coffee.  Reading on the effects of coffee on the human body I have always wondered how helpful it actually is when it comes to the big tests.  Caffeine consumption has been shown to increase mental performance but sometimes I feel that its predominant effect on me is the tip of the tongue phenomenon.  In any case, I always put my coffee-drinking habits in check and do not aspire to drink more than 10 cups of coffee a day.  Plus, for the most part, I think I'll stick to cappucinos and leave the double espressos for special occasions