Caffeine - Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Many headache medications contain caffeine, which helps speed up the action of analgesicsPain relievers or the qualities of pain relief.. Because caffeine cuts blood flow in the brain, it should not be used by people at risk for or recovering from a strokeA loss of feeling, consciousness, or movement caused by the breaking or blocking of a blood vessel in the brain.. By slowing blood flow through the brain, caffeine could starve already struggling nerve cells. Rumors of caffeine's effectiveness and safety as a weight loss agent have persisted for years, but they have never been medically proven.

Breathing rates increase in response to caffeine. Theophylline has an especially strong effect on respiration, affecting the smooth muscle of the bronchial tree in the lungs. This is why theophylline is sometimes used as a treatment for asthmaPronounced AZ-muh; a lung disorder that interferes with normal breathing.. Doctors may recommend weak tea for their asthmatic patients with colds, as the tea will aid in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.

Caffeinated water hit store shelves in the 1990s. It was offered as an alternative for people who wanted the caffeine but did not want to drink coffee, tea, or soft drinks. AP/Wide World Photos.
Caffeinated water hit store shelves in the 1990s. It was offered as an alternative for people who wanted the caffeine but did not want to drink coffee, tea, or soft drinks. AP/Wide World Photos.