Implications of Caffeine Intake on Post-Acute Rehabilitation
In 1940, a vocal group named “The Ink Spots” popularized a song called The Java Jive. The introductory lyrics to the song are these:
I love coffee, I love tea, I love the java jive and it loves me, coffee and tea and the java and me, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!
The song extols the pleasures of caffeine. The song was popular at a time before some of the physical problems traceable to caffeine intake were known. Now, in addition to coffee and tea, (which are the caffeinated beverages most often consumed) there is an abundance of other drinks containing caffeine such as soft drinks and “energy drinks.” The energy drinks purposely contain mega-doses of caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant and comes from certain plants:
- Tea leaves
- Coffee
- Kola nuts
- Cocoa beans
Caffeine is also in processed foods, including:
- Coffee (usually about 100 mg per cup)
- Tea (usually 14-60 mg per cup)
- Chocolate (45 mg in a 1.5 oz. bar)
- Candy, snacks, gum (usually 45-100 mg per serving)
Moderate daily intake of caffeine by an individual who has not had a catastrophic injury is usually not injurious. There are no specific recommendations for caffeine intakes in the U.S., however, the FDA released a letter in August 2012 stating that for healthy adults, caffeine intake of up to 400 mg/day is not associated with adverse health effects. But remember, that is for an individual who has not sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a mild brain injury (MBI), a neurologic injury, a stroke, a spinal cord injury (SCI) or some other kind of catastrophic injury.
Some of the potential negative side effects of caffeine may include:
- Decreased cerebral blood flow
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Sleep difficulty
- Nausea
- Restlessness and irritability
- Tremors
- Frequent urination
- Vomiting
- Reduced seizure threshold
- Delirium
- Bone thinning, can result from the ingestion of large quantities of caffeine
- Fibrocystic disease
Additionally, many prescription and nonprescription drugs may interact with caffeine and have negative effects on an individual.
Many side effects align with the outgrowths of the catastrophic injuries for which Clients of NeuLife Rehab receive clinically relevant services. Some prescription and nonprescription drugs can also have negative interactions with caffeine. Overall, therefore, the side effects of caffeine consumption may compromise our Clients’ post-acute rehabilitation. Among the ways that NeuLife Rehab limits the amount of caffeine offered to our Clients is to serve tea that is diluted to three-fifths strength and by providing no other beverages containing caffeine.
When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida, he or she undergoes an independent functional evaluation administered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that may consist of:
- Board Certified Neurologist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Board Certified Physiatrist
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychologist
- Board Certified Psychiatrist
- Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Nurses
- Certified Rehab Counselor
From the results of the independent functional evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulate a Client Goal Plan. The Client Goal Plan guides the clinically relevant services delivered by NeuLife Rehab. The Client Goal Plan guides the cognitive, psychiatric, neurologic, psychological and neuropsychological therapy of the Client. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation is the attainment for our Clients of independence to the fullest extent that his or her physical and mental abilities permit.
NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.
Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
