coffee

hi im not sure about this one did you know drinking strong coffee opens up the lungs in a asthma attack not sure though as my carer/friend tol me this yesturday as she did a up to date first aid course and that was said when she was on it. anyone out their know different if its true i dont know bit puzzled.from groovy chick

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As far as I know, Caffine contains theophylinne which in coffee can help open the airways I think.

Maybe some medically minded bod can come along and help out!

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maybe mods

maybe the mods who are doctors might be able to help on this one anybody out their who knows medically will be welcome on the help of coffee if it is helpfull to give it in a asthma attack or not from groovy chick

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Yeah I had been told that coffee contains a small amount of theophylline so I guess in a way it could have an influence on asthma symptoms as theophylline is used to treat asthma. Although I'd imagine you would have to drink a lot of strong coffee and thats not recommended!

Groovy Chick the medical bods might be along later but they are probably at work right now!

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Also thinking about it... I doubt it would work in an asthma attack situation as theophylline works over a period of time rather than providing instant relief... and a cup of coffee would be the last thing I'd want in an attack!

[KateMoss]

... plus you would be bouncing off the ceiling with all that caffein on board ... and probably wanting a wee too as lots of coffee is a diuretic!

Kate

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Frankly, I think I'd be more concerned with breathing than drinking coffee in an attack!! - and I am someone who *does* love her coffee.

Essentially yes, caffeine is a theophylline-like compound, so it theoretically could help as a bronchodilator. But, as Sparkly Fairy and Kate Moss say, it would be slow in onset of action, and you'd probably have to drink a small vat of it to get any decent effect - so no, it's not a good way to treat an attack by any stretch of the imagination!

(But I will continue to use it as an excuse for my high caffeine intake - it's medicinal, you know. Vicky, that doesn't apply to Red Bull. Sorry)

[yaf_user681_28534]

Even I resorted to Red Bull on Sunday!!! I had so much work I couldn't stay awake any longer... I regretted it when I still couldn't sleep at 4.30am though!!!

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But, But, But! Red Bull has caffine which has Theo in it does it not?!

*cries*

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I think EmH and I worked out I would need about 700 cups of coffee to get to therapeutic levels. That could be interesting in an attack

Bex

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Not even *I* could drink that much, Bex...

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I hope no one from work ever reads this !

I'm always drinking coffee at work and claim it's for medicinal reasons ! Not quite sure the A-level students believe me !

But as long as the boss doesnt find out ...

[yaf_user681_28534]

So how much Red Bull would you need?

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I heard that about the coffee too somewhere - can't remember where though.

Funnily enough I was offered a coffee by my flatmate during an attack earlier - I couldn't talk never mind drink! I did try to have a go at some water - but it just wasn't happening!

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I have given up red bull for lent. But, I am going out on Sat so lets see how long it lasts!