Energy Drinks in the ED
Energy Drinks in the ED
In order to put up with the demands of the fast-paced society we live in today, many Americans have turned to using energy drinks on a regular basis. Due to increasing popularity (sales have increased 240% in the past five years) these drinks are now readily available in stores, bars and even vending machines across the nation. In addition to containing high amounts of caffeine, these flavored beverages have other additives such as vitamins, taurine, herbal supplements, creatine, sugars and guarana (a plant product containing concentrated caffeine). These beverages have been found to have up to 500mg of caffeine in them compared to 100mg in a 5-ounce cup of coffee or 50mg in a 12-ounce soft drink. This fad has gained the attention of many public health professionals because of the dangers of caffeine intoxication, the drink's ability to mask symptoms of alcohol intoxication, and the high calorie content due to sugar in these beverages.
According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report, the number of emergency department visits recorded due to energy drink use doubled from 10,068 visits in 2007 to 20,783 visits in 2011. A little over half of these 20,000 visits were due to energy drink use alone, whereas the other 42% involved combinations with other drugs (Figure 1.).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
From The DAWN Report: Update on Emergency Department Visits Involving Energy Drinks: A Continuing Public Health Concern
Potential concerns in children and adolescents are the effects these drinks have on cardiovascular health, bone mineralization, and caloric intake, especially in diabetics. Among college age adults, recent studies have shown an association between energy drinks and alcohol dependence. In the older population there is a larger safety concern due to increased medication use and medical conditions. Further research needs to be done to identify the mechanisms that occur when such high doses of caffeine are mixed with various factors.
In the meantime, as medical professionals, we should begin questioning patients on the specifics of their caffeine intake. It is important to educate patients on the potentially harmful effects of these beverages alone and in combination with various other agents. The DAWN report urges health professionals to "discourage use of energy drinks by explaining that perceived health benefits are largely due to marketing techniques rather than scientific evidence."
In order to put up with the demands of the fast-paced society we live in today, many Americans have turned to using energy drinks on a regular basis. Due to increasing popularity (sales have increased 240% in the past five years) these drinks are now readily available in stores, bars and even vending machines across the nation. In addition to containing high amounts of caffeine, these flavored beverages have other additives such as vitamins, taurine, herbal supplements, creatine, sugars and guarana (a plant product containing concentrated caffeine). These beverages have been found to have up to 500mg of caffeine in them compared to 100mg in a 5-ounce cup of coffee or 50mg in a 12-ounce soft drink. This fad has gained the attention of many public health professionals because of the dangers of caffeine intoxication, the drink's ability to mask symptoms of alcohol intoxication, and the high calorie content due to sugar in these beverages.
According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report, the number of emergency department visits recorded due to energy drink use doubled from 10,068 visits in 2007 to 20,783 visits in 2011. A little over half of these 20,000 visits were due to energy drink use alone, whereas the other 42% involved combinations with other drugs (Figure 1.).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
From The DAWN Report: Update on Emergency Department Visits Involving Energy Drinks: A Continuing Public Health Concern
Potential concerns in children and adolescents are the effects these drinks have on cardiovascular health, bone mineralization, and caloric intake, especially in diabetics. Among college age adults, recent studies have shown an association between energy drinks and alcohol dependence. In the older population there is a larger safety concern due to increased medication use and medical conditions. Further research needs to be done to identify the mechanisms that occur when such high doses of caffeine are mixed with various factors.
In the meantime, as medical professionals, we should begin questioning patients on the specifics of their caffeine intake. It is important to educate patients on the potentially harmful effects of these beverages alone and in combination with various other agents. The DAWN report urges health professionals to "discourage use of energy drinks by explaining that perceived health benefits are largely due to marketing techniques rather than scientific evidence."
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