Caffeine Kills a Teenager: Durbin Seeking FDA Intervention
By: Matt Mershon
Updated: October 26, 2012
ROCKFORD - Energy drinks are
under fire after a lawsuit is filed in the death of a
Most parents agree
energy drinks aren't such a good idea for kids to be imbibing.
"It's not something
you need when you're 16 or 20," said Mike O'Connor, a parent of a 16 year-old
girl.
"My son, maybe
every two months or so will have one on a weekend day or something," said Lance
Blackshear, father of two teenagers.
Pediatrician, Dr.
Bill Renk of Swedish-American's Woodside Clinic agrees with most parents and
says even adults should only consume about 50 milligrams of caffeine a day.
"Caffeine drinks,
whether it's from the local coffee establishment or some of these sugared
caffeinated energy drinks have an excessive amount of caffeine," said Renk.
Renk says death occurring
from caffeine overdose is rare, but can happen.
"It can cause
elevated blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart arrhythmias," said Renk.
"I think really
people too that might have underlying heart disease or lung disease are a
little bit more predisposed to the effects of caffeine and they can be fatal."
Unlike sodas and
other caffeinated beverages, energy drinks don't list the amount of caffeine in
them, because they're classified as dietary supplements. The drinks also tend to market toward youths
even though they mark them as opposite.
Senator Durbin
contacted the FDA on Friday saying,"... we believe it is necessary for the FDA to
take immediate action to address a serious public health issue."
THE REST OF DURBIN'S
LETTER TO THE FDA
Dr. Renk says everything
in moderation though. He says many of
his patients come in complaining of headaches and chronic stomachaches which
can all be linked to caffeine usage.
