CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, March 11, 1994
3
Too much caffeine does more harm than good
Nervousness, insomnia side effects of stimulant
By Ashley Schultz
Kansan staff writer
It may not be what students drink on the weekends that causes Monday morning headaches, but what they don't drink, said Thomas Pazdernik, professor of pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Caffeine may be the culprit.
- Headaches, weariness and irritability are some symptoms of withdrawal in caffeine users who drink the equivalent of six cups of coffee a day, Pazdernik said.
"I drink a lot of coffee at work, and I don't
drink hardly any coffee on the weekends," Pazdermlksaid. "Monday mornings, I might feel a little lethargic, I might have a bit of a headache. That's a kind of caffeine withdrawal."
One dose of an alertness-aid drug is equivalent to two cups of coffee. Manufacturers of the drug advise users not to exceed one dose every three to four hours. Students tempted to use over-the-counter stimulants during the academic crunch before Spring Break may feel these withdrawal effects, Pazdernik said. Effects depend on built-up tolerance to caffeine and the duration of use, he said.
AJ Schultz, over-the-counter manager at Wal-Mart Discount Cities, 3300 Iowa, said she had noticed no major increase in sales of Vivarin. No Doz and Stay Alert.
In fact, sleep aids usually outsell the alertness aids, she said.
But the opposite is true during finals. College students are primary customers of alertness aids, Schultz said.
The effects of caffeine on the central nervous system are believed to keep people awake by increasing activity in the brain. But Pazdernik said these effects were not well understood.
The process involves cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which is an intercellular messenger in the brain that influences biological functions, such as a person's heart rate.
Caffeine inhibits an enzyme that normally breaks down cyclic AMP, causing cyclic AMP to build up. This intensifies biological responses like nervousness, which cyclic AMP influences, Pazdernik said.
"The main problem with caffeine is that it disturbs sleep," he said. "And it can disturb heart rhythms, so you get palpitations if you have too much caffeine."
Gastrointestinal upsets, nervousness and restlessness are some of the negative side effects of caffeine, Pazdernik said.
He said the stimulants could help with studying if they were taken in moderation for short periods of time. But students using the stimulants for too long can sabotage their own efforts.
"There's no doubt about the fact that caffeine is somewhat alerting to people when they're groggy or tired," he said. "If you take too much of it, then you get a nervousness and then you get this kind of excitement that can be almost counterproductive in terms of doing mental tasks."
Got the shakes?
Caffeine, a stimulant, can increase muscular capacity and coordination. A small dose of caffeine may lead to enhanced alertness, and less drowsiness and general fatigue. However, large servings (four or more cups of coffee) may cause restlessness, insomnia, irritability and headaches.
Student leader promotes Asian American agenda
Micah Laaker/KANSAN
Senior devoted to group, academics
John Gamble / KANSAN
Arthur Chiu, Joplin, Mo., senior, right, discusses last minute details of the upcoming Asian American Festival with David Weroha, Lawrence freshman
By Denise Nell Kansan staff writer
When the pressure gets to be too much, Arthur Chiu, president of the Asian American Student Union, locks himself in the bathroom and plays his guitar.
"He says the acoustics are better in there," said Teresa Hu, Chiu's friend and external vice president of the organization. "He likes to give himself emotional trauma."
But Hu, Gladstone, Mo., junior, said Chiu had reasons to feel traumatized. He is trying to balance completing two degrees — psychology and Chinese — with leading a growing student organization, keeping up his grades and running for a chair in Student Senate.
That semester, Chiu joined Environs, the Fencing Club, the Soccer Club, KI Alikido and the AASU.
Chiu said that soon it had become too much. He decided to concentrate on the organization he liked most.
"My sophomore year, I realized I wasn't doing what I had set out to do," he said. "So I joined every club I could think of. I was determined to get involved."
"I dropped everything else and stayed with AASU not only because I felt a bond with the other members but because I saw areas where I could help AASU grow and develop," he said.
The group has grown under Chiu's leadership. Membership is up, and the group is being taken seriously, Chiu said. In addition, Chiu developed the group's first high school leadership conference, which took place in February.
Chiu's year as president will end in April, when the group will hold elections for next year. But he said his commitment to the group and to helping Asian Americans find a niche at KU would not end when his term did.
He plans to graduate next spring and hopes to apply to law school and study minority law. His goal is to one day represent Asian Americans as a lawyer or a government official, he said.
Sherwood Thompson, director of the Office of Minority Affairs, said he had worked closely with Chiu during
"Arthur is a very responsible leader," Thompson said. "He demonstrates some very unique characteristics. He's considerate and dependable, he cherishes diversity, has high integrity and is a caring person. Those characteristics are very rare in student leaders, but vital if they're going to be effective."
his time at KU. He said that Chiu was an ideal leader.
By Roberta Johnson Kansan staff writer
Market tight, search for job may be difficult
Unemployment rates reached 7.1 percent in Lawrence, 8.9 percent in Wichita and 12.1 percent in Kansas City, Kan., in January, according to the Kansas Department of Human Resources. Figures have not been released for February.
Students looking for a professional summer or permanent job may be facing a tighter job market in most parts of Kansas.
Kathy Ketchum, public information officer at the Department of Human Resources, said the rates were slightly inflated because not all new census data was in.
But after accounting for the increase, unemployment rates have nearly doubled in Kansas City and increased 1.5 percent in Wichita during the past year. The rates did decline slightly in Lawrence.
The inflation accounted for about 2 percent of the increase, she said.
"The rates fluctuate throughout the year," Ketchum said. "January is not the Midwest's best month. There's a reduction in seasonal jobs, farming and construction."
Although by June, when many seasonal jobs may be available again, the University's placement centers can help students find an internship for the summer or a permanent job.
"For the past two or three years, it has not been a good employment time," said Terry Glenn, director of the University Placement Center. "Some people have no trouble finding jobs. Others look for quite some time."
The University Placement Center, along with other professional schools' centers, help students write resumes, have mock interviews and locate some job openings.
Because of the increase in unemployment over time, some centers have needed to change their services.
"a few years ago, we had a couple hundred employees coming for interviews," said Julie Cunningham, director of the engineering placement center. "All we had to do is say, 'Here's your interview.'"
Placementhelp
There are several placement centers on campus that can help.
School of Business: 125 Summerfield. $65 fee.
School of Engineering: 4010
Learned. No fees, but student
must purchase a "resume expert"
program (about $20).
School of Journalism: 102 Staufer-Flint. $35 fee.
University Placement Center: 110 Burge Union. $10 registration fee, and students must purchase a "resume expert" program.
Source: Kansan staff research KANSAN
"Now we focus on how to identify potential employers and how to sell themselves to the employers."
CAMPUS BRIEFS
Performance artist exposes stereotypes of Asian Americans
A Cambodian woman adjusting to American life and a Filipino prostitute are just two of the roles Jude Narita, an Asian-American performance artist, will portray in her show tonight.
Narita will perform at 8 tonight in Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., as part of the Asian American Festival.
Kuo-Jen Tsao, organizer of the festival, said that during her performance "Coming Into Passion, Song for a Sansei," Narita will play the roles of six different Asian women. The performance, sponsored by the Asian-American Student Union, the Office of Minority Affairs and Student Senate, will alert people to the stereotypes that exist about Asians and Asian Americans, Tsao said.
"She really exposes a lot of the stereotypes," he said. "A lot of people don't realize the subtle racism and stereotypes that exist. Having someone present it to you in a manner like this might open your eyes."
Student volunteers needed
Student volunteers are needed for the University Theatre's production of "The Grapes of Wrath."
Jason Thomas, the theater's house manager, said that fewer students this year were volunteering to be ushers.
"We rely heavily on student support, and it's really been down this semester," Thomas said. "Usshering is
Ushers are required to wear a white shirt and a black skirt or black pants, he said.
easy. It's fun and it shows support for student productions."
Ushers take tickets, distribute programs and direct people to their seats, he said. Ushers do not have to pay to watch productions.
The play, which will run Friday and Saturday, begins at 8 p.m. each night.
Interested students should contact Thomas at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre at 864-3983 or show up at the theater an hour before the play begins.
Thomas said students also could volunteer to usher at future productions.
Block to speak at conference
Henry Block, founder of the financial company H & R Block, will speak at the fourth annual Midwest Regional Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs Conference on Saturday and Sunday.
Conference activities will include keynote addresses at the Alvamar Golf and Country Club, 1809 Crossgate Drive. Jim Osborn, owner of Osborn Laboratories in Lenexa, Charles Decedue, executive director of Higuchi Biosciences Center in Lawrence, and Block will speak. Sessions on business topics, tours of Lawrence-area businesses and brunch at the country club will be included in the program.
Students can register at the Organizations and Activities Center, 400 Kansas Union. Registration forms are also available at 206 Summerfield.
Registration is $15 for students and faculty, $10 for ACE members and $25 for others.
For more information, call 864-5223.
Compiled from Kansan staff reports
Last year's models must go!
Authorized Apple service provider
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864-5690