Hospitalizations Due to Energy Drinks on the Rise

By Heather Hubbs, Reporter

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By Heather Hubbs

Story Created: Jan 18, 2013 at 7:49 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 7:51 AM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa-- A recent government report found the number of visits to emergency facilities linked to energy drinks doubled from 2007 to 2011. During that time, the F-D-A banned one drink that mixed caffeine and alcohol, called four loko.

Just one energy drink can be equal to five cups of coffee. Many of those who went to the ER said they drank as many as four energy drinks in a single day.

Having that much caffeine, especially in such a short period of time can cause cardiovascular problems, such as fast or irregular heartbeat.

Of the nearly 21,000 people who went to the ER with symptoms such as this about 70 percent were men and 42 percent mixed energy drinks with drugs or alcohol. So we asked a local doctor how much is safe to drink?

"Two cups of coffee up to four cups spread throughout the day is reasonable. Throw in a soda on top of that or energy drinks on top of that, then it's too much," said Dr. Cam Campbell, Medical Director of Cardiovascular Services at Mercy Medical.

Doctors say if you have pre-existing conditions such as heart problems, you are even more at risk of complications and should avoid high levels of caffeine.

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