HEALTH NOTES

 HEALTH NOTES

THERAPEAUTIC VALUE OF CAFFEINE. Caffeine is perhaps the most widely

consumed of all drugs, since it is the important constituent of tea and coffee. The ‘lift’

produced by drinking tea and coffee is due to the stimulation of the brain which caffeine

produces.

Caffeine is apparently one of the few central nervous system stimulants for which one has

to pay no price; that is, there is no “letdown” after the stimulation. With other stimulants,

a feeling of fatigue or exhaustion may be experienced once they have run their course.

The background accounts for the fact that coffee-breaks have achieved an almost

traditional status in the industry of many a country.

The cup of coffee on arising truly does dispel sleepiness, and certainly many individuals

do not seem to “come to” or “feel themselves” until they have had their morning dose of

caffeine. There may even be a mild form of addiction to coffee, in the sense that going

without it may produce symptoms. Thus, a majority of coffee drinkers if deprived of

their morning coffee will develop a headache which has been termed the “caffeine

withdrawal headache”; giving pure caffeine instead of coffee dink will prevent this

headache. In addition to the central nervous system effects, caffeine also acts as a

diuretic; that is, an agent which promotes the secretion of urine.

Caffeine may be given as an injectible drug by the physician and act as a moderately

potent stimulus to the heart, respiration, and circulation.

Large amounts of caffeine may produce nervousness, a sense of undue stimulation, and

tremor of the hands.

Caffeine tends to produce an increased amount of acid secretion in the stomach. In

addition, the aromatic oils of a well-prepared cup of coffee have a slightly irritating effect

on the stomach lining, the more so when large amounts of coffee are drunk. For these

reasons coffee consumption should be decreased in individuals suffering from peptic

ulcer and allied disorder.

It is noteworthy that caffeine is found in widely used headache remedies such as APC

(aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine) tablet.

Caffeine is also found in certain cola drinks, and is sold over the counter in drug stores

under various commercial names as an antidote for sleepiness.

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VITAMIN C AND ITS DEFICIENCY. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble

vitamin. It is essential in bone formation and bone repairing. Evidence exists that it is

necessary in wound healing and that is an element in the formation of red blood cells.

Proponents of megavitamin therapy have been recommending large dosages of vitamin C

for building resistance or immunity to various diseases including the common cold.

However, evidence to this therapeutic claim is inconclusive.

Vitamin C deficiency can result in scurvy, the symptoms of which include spongy gums,

loose teeth, tender joints and general weakness. Slowed wound healing and possible

hemorrhage in the skin may also be symptoms of vitamin C deficiency.

Good sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, tomato, pineapple, potato and pear.

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VITAMIN D AND ITS DEFICIENCY. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and can be acquired

either by ingestion or exposure to sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet rays activate a precursor

form present in the skin and covert it to Vitamin D.

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract and the breakdown

and assimilation of phosphorous, which is necessary for proper bone formation. It helps

sythesise certain enzymes in the mucous membranes that are involved in the active

transport of calcium.

Vitamin D helps prevent and cure rickets. The disease results in softening of the skull,

bowing legs, and poorly developed muscles.

Early signs of Vitamin D deficiency may appear in the skull, where there is a thinning

and softening of the bone. Later, there may be bulging of the frontal bone, a “pigeon

breast” grooves in the rub-insertions of the diaphragm, and a “rachitic rosary,” which

consists of breaded attachments where the ribs join the breastbone.

The treatment for deficiency I 10,000 UP units of vitamin D daily. Prophylactic

treatment I 800 to 1,000 USP units of vitamin D daily. However, excesses of vitamin D

are known to be harmful. The physician should be consulted on dosage. It is better to

consider vitamin-enriched foods when vitamin supplements are prescribed.

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