1.Informative SpeechUnit 4Individual ProjectLystra Joseph5.3.09

2. You have work, a family, a pet and now school? Really? Where do you find the time? Do you even have a social life?This was the reaction of my dogs Vet on our last visit two weeks ago. He was amazed that I had time to take such good care of my dog, because as he put it she was the most pampered Pitt hed ever seen. But little did he know that I was living a wired-lifewired full of caffeine!! 3. My life has been a whirl-wind of events since I began school in February. I have little or no social life because school has taken priority over everything else.I swore to myself that 2009 was the year to take care of me because I spend so much time taking care of everybody else. And yet with all I have to do, the one thing I need the most is sleep and it is often the last thing I get to do. So to cope on the really tough days I turn to coffee. Why? Because its what everybody else does. The funny thing is I know better!! 4. NO COFFEEHERE As a kid, coffee was not allowed in our house. Myparents religion considered it an unhealthystimulant with negative side effects. So I was notexposed to coffee until after I left home. I was drawn to it first, because of its aroma, andthen by its taste. I stuck to decaf however, to avoidthe side effects I heard my mother speak of, butsoon fell victim to the benefits of a fresh-brewedcup of regular coffee. It gave me an extra edgethat I did not have before. This was a new feelingand I must admit I liked it a lot. What a rush!!! 5. Despite my new found love of coffee, I still considered myself an occasional consumer because to me it was more of a treat. If I had a tough week Id meet with a friend and chat over coffee. Or if I felt like indulging on a lazy Sunday, Id have coffee with waffles, eggs and sausage. Therefore it was not part of my daily routine so I was not hooked. 6. Caffeine, as defined by the Websters New World Medical Dictionary, is a stimulant found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans (chocolate) and kola nuts (cola) and added to soft drinks, foods, and medicines.Websters New World Medical Dictionary goes on to explain that a cup of coffee has 100-250 milligrams of caffeine. Black tea brewed for 4 minutes has 40-100 milligrams. Green tea has one-third as much caffeine as black tea. (1).When used in doses of 100-200 milligrams caffeine is known to increase alertness, alleviate drowsiness, improve concentration and even relieve headaches. However at doses of 250-700 milligrams per day it can bring on anxiety, cause nervousness, insomnia, increased urination, and high blood pressure. (2). Therefore one can immediately surmise that caffeine has both good and bad attributes and should proceed with caution. 7. A person who consumes caffeine occasionally in the form of coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks or prescriptions can attest to its benefits and may see no significant side effects when the stimulant has worn off. However habitual or heavy users will speak of side effects ranging from moderate to severe or even extreme the most common being headaches, tiredness, irritability, mood swings, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, and in severe cases feelings of desperation, heart palpitations, muscle stiffness or pain and chronic insomnia. (3).Whether or not these withdrawal symptoms are psychological or physiological they are very real to the person experiencing them and therefore are cause for great concern because up to 90% of Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis. 8. Unfortunately, I too suffered with side effects when I increased my coffee consumption. I got withdrawal headaches that only seemed to go away with more coffee or if I skipped coffee for a few days. I got acne I noticed that my skin was considerably dry Within an hour of drinking a cup of regular coffee my heart rate was considerably faster and I felt a sense of nervousness. I felt mentally alert but my body was feeling unnaturally hyper and this was my cause for concern. So I decided to explore safer alternatives (which Ill discuss later). 9. Naturally a person would not want to experience the harsh side effects just mentioned, and so they either limit their use of caffeine or become extremely dependent on it. The latter can be considered as caffeine dependence, or in extreme cases, addiction.Addiction, as described by Websters New World Medical Dictionary, is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain.An addictive substance induces feelings of pleasure or may relieve distress. Habitual use of said substances can cause adaptive changes in the brain which leads to tolerance, physical dependence and uncontrollable cravings, all of which are difficult to stop, the end result being severe physical and mental reactions from withdrawal.(4). 10. As we can now see, caffeine, although beneficial, can have negative effects. Therefore it would be wise on our part to limit its use where possible and instead search for more effective ways of boosting our energy levels.Adding fruits and vegetables to our daily diet can be extremely beneficial. Even one banana with breakfast or as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack can significantly improve ones energy level, concentration and mood because it is loaded with potassium and Vitamin C. 11. Adequate sleep can also make a huge difference but if lack of time is a factor then a 20 30 minute nap can make a world of difference to improve alertness and boost energy.A brisk 5 10 minute walk boosts blood flow and improves alertness, and so does a change of task, change of scenery or a few minutes of fresh air. Some of these methods may require a bit of creativity while at work but in the long run can help significantly. (5) 12. I also find that music helps to keep me awake so this is an option worth considering. I just use headphones so as not to disturb others around me.And for those who insist on a quick fix, then they can use ready mix vitamin packs like Emergen-C. These vitamin packs dissolve in water or juice and are absorbed by the body quickly. Within an hour one can see marked improvement in mood, alertness, and energy. (6). 13. In conclusion, caffeine has its good and bad attributes. When used in moderation it can certainly save the day but undesirable side effects are seen with overuse.Is it addictive? Yes it can be with heavy use. Should it be considered a drug? Yes, but I dont see that happening any time soon. And I believe such a fete would be met with massive opposition from all corners of the world.In short, the decision lies with the individual to eitherchoose healthier alternatives-- switch to decaf if the taste of coffee is what you crave or- try to stay away from caffeine all together the end the choice is yours. -In 14. New World Medical Dictionary WebstersMedicineNet.com : Definition Of Caffeine:(1)(2)http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11068 MedicineNet.com: Caffeine Addiction, Can You Quit?(3): http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=43492New World Medical Dictionary WebstersMedicineNet.com: Definition of Addiction(4): http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10177 Foods To Fight Fatigue (5) : MedicineNet.com:http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55763 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55763&page=2 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55763&page=3 C (6): Emergenhttp://www.emergenc.com/