Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Jolly- Joliver on 12/04/2011 13:42:02

Title: Why would coffee improve asthma?
Post by: Jolly- Joliver on 12/04/2011 13:42:02

I noticed that if you drink coffee while having bad asthma, it can improve it, any ideas as to why that would be?

Coffee is a stimulant, could that be the reason?

Title: Why would coffee improve asthma?
Post by: Bored chemist on 12/04/2011 20:52:02

Could be.
This is very closely related to caffeine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophylline#Indications


 Also, steam inhalation is sometimes soothing.

Title: Why would coffee improve asthma?
Post by: Variola on 12/04/2011 21:27:59

Caffeine inhibits the breakdown of cyclic-AMP, the downstream result of which is that TNF alpha, responsible for release of pro-inflammatory cytokines  is inhibited.

As BC pointed out, theophylline is a metabolite of caffeine and has similar mechanism of action, and is a vasodilator too. 

As an asthmatic myself, it is just another excuse to drink great coffee!  [;D]

Title: Why would coffee improve asthma?
Post by: wolfekeeper on 13/04/2011 02:46:24

I think that short term stress has an anti histamine effect; you don't need your eyes closing up from an allergic reaction in a battle or when running away from a Saber tooth tiger! That's what an epi-pen does of course; coffee also increases adrenaline.