Page 5-- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 30, 1985 HEALTH & FITNESS Caffeine linked to heart palpitations ........................ .... r -c -ti *Acne suf erers may m' s neti fom stu By TIM DALY Is caffeine a potentially hazardous drug, or is it simply a highly effective stimulant? According to Dr. Caesar Briefer, director of University Health Service, caffeine fits both descriptions. "CAFFEINE IS well known as a stimulant that increases one's capacity for intellectual activity," said Briefer. It is well known as a stimulant that increases one's ability to perform fine motor tasks, such as typing, he added. "However, when a person con- sumes too much caffeine, symptoms such as a rapid pulse rate and an irregular heart rate are possible," said Briefer. How much is too much often depen- ds on the individual. For most people, Briefer said four or five cups of coffee will cause toxic symptoms (a jittery feeling caused by an increased pulse rate or an irregular heart rate). But some people may feel the effects after just one cup. FOUR OR five cups of coffee will af- fect one's system for several hours, Briefer said. But sensitivity to caf- feine varies tremendously from per- son to person, he noted. If someone is suffering from heart palpitations, often the answer to the problem is cutting down on one's caf- feine intake. While students are often thought to be big caffeine abusers, there is no evidence that the student population abuses the stimulant any more than the general population. "I SUSPECT that there are oc- casional abuses by college students when they're up late studying for an exam, but caffeine abuse is common among all groups of society," Briefer said. "One could argue that Western society in general is addicted to cof- fee," he said. 'Caffeine is well known as a stimulant that increases one's capacity for in- tellectual activity...However, when a person consumes too much caffeine, symptoms such as a rapid pulse rate and an irregular heart rate are possible.' -Caesar Briefer, University Health Service director U UT Action SportsfWear FACTORY CLOSEOUTS CUSTOM T-SHIRTS If you'll wear it, we'll print It . Individuals or Groups * Teams " Great Gifts! 419 E. LIBERTY (2 bks. off State) 663-6771 But coffee isn't the only means of getting that caffeine fix. There are 80 milligrams (mg) of caffeine in a cup of coffee, 50 mg in a cup of tea, and 50 mg in 12 ounces of cola. IN A RECENT study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), caffeine was found to trigger panic attacks - irrational feelings of doom which may cause people to choke, sweat, and have heart palpitations. Some people may become so used to that morning cup of caffeine they ex- perience withdrawal symptoms. "There are some people who are so dependent on caffeine that they get headaches if they don't consume caf- feine," said Marilyn Sargent, of the NIMH public affairs branch. . One signficant finding of the NIMH study, Sargent said, is the discovery that "people suffering from panic disorders have panic attacks at lower doses of caffeine than people who aren't suffering from panic disor- ders." In the NIMH study, caffeine was given to two groups of people, said Sargent. One group consisted of patients with panic disorders. The other group consisted of people with no history of panic disorders. "In the group with no history of panic disorders, two out of the 12 people had panic attacks after eight cups of coffee," said Sargent. "We stopped the experiment after the eighth cup of coffee." By TIM OMARZU How many of us, armed with san- dpaper, have stared into the mirror, ready to rid ourselves of acne once and for all? Acne sufferers at the University can now avoid such drastic faction by becoming subjects in two dermatology department studies. Researcher Dr. David Gorsulowsky and the department are looking for subjects to test topical acne medicines. Besides ridding them- selves of acne, qualified subjects can earn either $75 or $100 dollars for completing the 12-week set of ex- periments. GORSULOWSKY said he guaran- tees his subjects some reduction of acne blemishes. One study uses a combination of medicated pads and a modified version of benzoil peroxide to see which is more effective. Since two active drugs are applied, some recovery is certain, he said. In the other study, a modification of a widely used prescription antibiotic is applied to bring acne lesions under control in three to six weeks. Gorsulowsky said he hopes that the effectiveness of these topical *medications will approach that of oral medication, with none of the negative side effects. If these experimental medications prove effective, they would be on the market in 8-12 mon- ths. IN THE MEANTIME, acne suf- ferers have other face-clearing op- tions open to them, Gorsulowsky said. The cause and most effective cures of acne are well known since acne is ~second only to cirrhosis of the liver in the amount of research done. Acne blemishes are the result of any combination of five factors; bacteria, oilgland activity, hormone activity, things applied to the skin, and in some people, anxiety. For most of us, a decrease in adolescent hormonal activity means a decrease in acne. But for some, acne is a problem that continues into mid- dle age and beyond. GORSULOWSKY noted that "no * JUDI SHEPPARD MISSETT A wild & woolly workout using jazz dance movements & swinging music for fitness, friendship & fun! New Students r~~ C I,*1eafnCm acne after twenty" is not the only prevalent acne myth. For instance, the best studies show that food isn't a factor in producing blemishes. "Some people claim that they break out after eating chocolate or drinking a lot of pop, but ... studies show that for the vast majority, food has no influence on acne production." While it helps to keep the face clean, dirt isn't necessarily a major cause of acne. Make-up users who have acne are strongly encouraged to use water- based make-up. For severe acne, it is probably best to see a physician who can prescribe either topical or oral prescription drugs. "Oral drugs should never be taken without a prescription," said Gorsulowsky. In less severe cases, washing three times and using an over the counter medicine with benzoil peroxide is probably as effective as anything else. Will there ever be a cure for acne? "Not in the near future," Gor- sulowsky said. "When there are many factors involved in the cause of a disease, there's not likely to be just one cure." 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Fourth Ave. open: Ann Arbor Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 662-2642 Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 5 minute walk from central campus Recreational Sports Trips: * Rock Climbing - Grand Ledge, MI Nov. 2 & 3 * Ropes Course - Storer Camp, Jackson, MI Nov. 16 For More Information: Outdoor Recreation Center NCRB 764-3967 $48 $20 SEEA a - - - *For A $265 Nautilus Club Membership You Get: r 1- * Full use of the Nautilus Club's 14 machines " Full use of the weight room " Full use of the gym during a. J / h i