I’m wondering if other asmathics KNOW for sure (or believe) that caffeine has such a benefit. Please clarify if this is a fact or your experience…and maybe a cite for further info?
Thanks,
Jinx
No. Makes it worse.
Is this a fact? Or, your personal experience? Are you an asthmatic who has tried this, or a professional, perhaps? …Just wondering about the background to this statement. Thanks! - Jinx
Not an asthmatic, but what they taught us in medical school is that caffeine is a member of a class of compounds called methylxanthines which also include bronchodilators like theophylline. This doesn’t necessarily make caffeine a bronchodilator, or may make it one in doses not easily acheivable with coffee.
A PubMed search turns up these articles:
Caffeine at 5 mgs/kg can produce improvements in some lung functions (FEV1, FEF25-75, Vmax25). Since a cup of coffee IIRC has 50 mg of caffeine or so, for a 70 kg man to have some effect, you would need 7 cups of coffee.
Other studies seem to bear this out. Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator and has some mild effects in improving some lung function parameters.
Thankis, Edwino! You’re the Dr., Dude…! - Jinx
Caffeine is not really used medically for bronchodilation. It is, as edwino says, a weak bronchodilator. Pediatricians still occasionally use caffeine or theophylline in babies with apnea. Some asthmatics who have been taking the same out-of-date meds for twenty years also still use theophylline, but not many. The methylxanthines just don’t work as well as some of the newer medicines.
Coffee contains 100 mg per 6 ounces. Cite
When my mother has a bad attack but has already taken all the albuterol or prednisone she safely can, a cup of hot tea or coffee will help a bit. Mind you, some of it is the hotness and steam—but the caffeine does help to a small extent. I’ve seen this firsthand multiple times, so can attest to it in her case, anyway.
Of course, it also makes her heart race, which is not good for her . . .
Personally, anything to drink helps some if for no other reason than it may make the secretions less sticky and easier to clear and it does help quiet the cough a bit. For bronchospasms brought on my cold air it helps a lot.
If I had nothing else available to me I’d at least try a cup of coffee (or three) thinking it couldn’t hurt but I wouldn’t rely on it to relieve bronchospasms.
Yesterday when it was 2 degrees, I forgot to cover my mouth as I got out of the car to walk into the building. By the time I got my scarf over my mouth it was too late. I coughed and barked and wheezed the whole way in (a 5 minute walk). I had to take a breathing treatment to get it to calm down. (working in a hospital, I don’t need a nebulizer, I just keep a mouthpiece and meds in my locker and use an air supply in any empty room) My chest burned the rest of the morning. All better today though.