APPARENTLY, something as simple as a cup of coffee could help asthma sufferers in a pinch, if they don't have immediate access to an inhaler.
"You might want to consider a cup of strong coffee," was the advice given by Joe and Teresa Graedon in the People's Pharmacy newsletter column this week, in response to a reader who said he woke up unable to catch his breath, and asked what he could do if it happens again.
The caffeine in coffee is chemically related to the drug theophylline, which was once a mainstay of asthma treatment because it opens airways.
Joe and Teresa cited another reader, who works as a nurse and has observed that patients occasionally get a flare-up of asthma post-procedure.
"If they were coffee drinkers, we'd give them a cup, and that worked," the nurse said, adding "the coffee relieves chest tightness and eases breathing".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Mar 25
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 04 Mar 25
