![]() ![]() Creighton and Stanton (1990) found that it increases urgency and frequency in patients with proven detrusor instability. Caffeine and bladder functionĬaffeine has a diuretic effect, which increases urine output (Leonard et al, 1987) and could contribute to dehydration. Patients who are involved in any form of gut motility study should have their intake of caffeine and other drugs checked, including over-the-counter medications, as these may have a bearing on the results. Nurses must also bear in mind that decaffeinated coffee can have the same effect on bowel function as caffeinated coffee. But for patients with diarrhoea or faecal continence problems, the best advice may be to stop drinking it (Rao et al, 1998). So what are the implications of the effects of coffee on bowel activity? In patients with slow-gut-transit constipation, coffee could maintain or improve bowel function (Rao et al, 1998). In terms of stimulating the gastrocolic reflex, coffee has the same effect on digestive function as eating a meal, but its effect is of shorter duration (Rao et al, 1998).Ĭoffee is also known to cause heartburn, dyspepsia and ulcers and to aggravate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel syndrome, especially in women (Brown et al, 1990 Cohen,1980). Wald et al (1976) suggest that caffeine increases the secretion of fluid in the small intestine, but this does not increase total gut transit time (Addison, 1999). Brown et al (1990) state that decaffeinated coffee has the same effect on bowel activity, although Rao et al (1998) believe it may be less potent. There is no gender difference in the effect that coffee has on motor activity (Rao et al, 1998), but it may not be related to caffeine. This motor response occurs within minutes of drinking coffee and can last for up to 90 minutes. This was confirmed when later studies showed that coffee stimulates colonic motor and bowel activity (Brown et a1, 1990 Addison, 1999). Wald et al (1976) found that coffee has a laxative effect. Most research on caffeine and bowel function has looked specifically at coffee. There is debate over a link between caffeine and heart disease and cancer (Thomas, 1990), but cardiac arrythmias and palpitations have been linked to caffeine intake (Leonard et al, 1987 Greener, 1993). The excretion of caffeine is slower during pregnancy and in people with liver disease, those taking oral contraceptives and smokers (Leonard et al, 1987). It interacts with a number of medicines, including diazepam and cimetidine, but this is not thought to be hazardous (Greener, 1993). ![]() It improves muscle strength, constricts blood vessels in the brain, reduces fatigue and boosts vigilance (Leonard et al, 1987 Greener, 1993).Ĭaffeine has a half-life of about five hours. ![]() General effectsĬaffeine is a stimulant that gets into the bloodstream within minutes, increasing the blood pressure and respiratory rate. Social consumption of coffee, tea and cola or energy-boosting soft drinks is the most common source of caffeine, although decaffeinated versions of these drinks are becoming increasingly popular in the developed world.Ĭaffeine is also found in a range of over-the-counter analgesic medications, which must be included when calculating a patient’s daily caffeine consumption. It occurs naturally in about 60 species of plants, most commonly in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa seeds and the cola nut (Thomas, 1990 Greener, 1993). Ray Addison, BSc, RN, FETC, CertHEd, is nurse consultant, bladder and bowel dysfunction, Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, CroydonĬaffeine is the most widely consumed behaviour-modifying drug in the world. ![]()
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