Having already posted about doping a week or two ago following the olympics I thought I would research blood doping following the accusations against Lance Armstrong and this is what I learnt...
Blood doping is the act of increasing the number of red blood cells (rbc) in the bloodstream in order to enhance athletic performance. Consequently haemoglobin (hb) the oxygen transporting molecule is also increased improving an athletes capacity (VO2 Max) and endurance. There are two types of blood doping, Homologous and Autologous doping.
A measure of rbc count is hematocrit, which is the volume percentage of rbc within the blood. This is normally around 45% for men and 40% for women as an average.
Homologous doping involves extracting someones compatible blood, concentrating the rbc, storing them and later transfusing them by injection before exercise. However a chemical test was developed in 2004 to identify anyone guilty of homologous doping, in very simple terms the test examines markers on the surface of blood cells with the ability to determine whether blood from more than one person is present in the athletes circulation.
Hence Autologous doping became more popular, the extraction of ones own blood, concentrating the rbc, storing them and later transfusing them by injection before exercise. The World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) are developing a test to compare the age of blood cells which has not yet reached official testing standard. The test compares the number of 'mature' (erythrocytes) and 'immature' (reticulocytes) rbc. Cells are marked using a fluorescent dye which marks RNA and DNA and automatically counted using laser technology. Erythrocytes have neither RNA or DNA, reticulocytes have a small amount of RNA and lymphocytes (white blood cells which are also present) have a large amount of DNA. The differences in dye concentration can easily be used to distinguish between the cells and there should be standard proportion of 'mature' to 'immature' rbc.
Hormones can also be used to increase rbc count and are often harder to detect. For example erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the formation of rbc and is used medically as a treatment for anemia (deficiency of rbc). Athletes sometimes abuse this medical drug and use its properties to enhance performance.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Monday, 20 August 2012
Tony Nicklinson
For those of you who have read my blog before will know of Tony Nicklinson, a locked-in syndrome suffer, pursuing a "right-to-die" case.
His case to allow doctors to end his life via the use of lethal drugs without fear of prosecution was rejected last Thursday.
The case differed from other "right-to-die" cases which have focused on assisted suicide. Tony Nicklinson would be unable to take lethal drugs, even if they were prepared for him by someone else due to his condition, the paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles however is mind is fully functioning.
Despite being rejected the case has gone further than other cases on assisted suicide in English and Welsh courts.
I have utmost respect and the deepest sympathy for Tony Nicklinson as I cannot imagine how he feels following the news however the general consensus amongst health officials is that the correct decision was made. This particular case is heart wrenching and Tony's wishes are very clear but the court passed judgement considering the bigger picture, had the result been different what affect would this have had in the future?
Although described as a "right-to-die" case Tony Nicklinson can end his life through the means of a hunger strike as described in a very interesting interview(see bottom of page) with Prof John Saunders however Tony Nicklinson understandably wishes to die in a more dignified, pain free way and to do so requires the help of a third party, doctors.
Detached from the emotion and sensitivity surronding the case several questions spring to mind, for example would such an act be murder? How would the doctor required to provide the "help" feel during/after the act?
This case along with many others highlights how complicated the issues surrounding assisted suicide are and how they incorporate a vast number of factors, not just the individual it concerns. For now the law on assisted suicide is to stay the same and each case will be dealt with on an individual basis and even then very few are accepted.
His case to allow doctors to end his life via the use of lethal drugs without fear of prosecution was rejected last Thursday.
The case differed from other "right-to-die" cases which have focused on assisted suicide. Tony Nicklinson would be unable to take lethal drugs, even if they were prepared for him by someone else due to his condition, the paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles however is mind is fully functioning.
Despite being rejected the case has gone further than other cases on assisted suicide in English and Welsh courts.
I have utmost respect and the deepest sympathy for Tony Nicklinson as I cannot imagine how he feels following the news however the general consensus amongst health officials is that the correct decision was made. This particular case is heart wrenching and Tony's wishes are very clear but the court passed judgement considering the bigger picture, had the result been different what affect would this have had in the future?
Although described as a "right-to-die" case Tony Nicklinson can end his life through the means of a hunger strike as described in a very interesting interview(see bottom of page) with Prof John Saunders however Tony Nicklinson understandably wishes to die in a more dignified, pain free way and to do so requires the help of a third party, doctors.
Detached from the emotion and sensitivity surronding the case several questions spring to mind, for example would such an act be murder? How would the doctor required to provide the "help" feel during/after the act?
This case along with many others highlights how complicated the issues surrounding assisted suicide are and how they incorporate a vast number of factors, not just the individual it concerns. For now the law on assisted suicide is to stay the same and each case will be dealt with on an individual basis and even then very few are accepted.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Doping
Unfortunately the Olympics are over but at least I will no longer be glued to the sofa and how well did Team GB do!?
It's time for my passion for science and sport to feature again as yesterday it was announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Belarusian women's shot put gold medallist Nadzeya Ostapchuk has been stripped of her title after failing a doping test.
Both samples of her urine (taken before and after the event) tested positive for metenolone which as the IOC states" is classified as anabolic agent under the 2012 prohibited list."
Metenolone is an anabolic steroid with testosterone like properties. By mimicking the effects of testosterone the drug increases the amount of protein synthesis occurring within body cells, which results in the build up of cellular tissue (known as anabolism), particularly in muscle cells.
To state the obvious such development provides an unfair advantage over other athletes within the sport and hence substances such as these are banned!
New Zealand's Valerie Adams, who was originally second, has now been awarded the gold medal.
Finally good luck to anyone receiving results this Thursday, I hope they go well for you!
It's time for my passion for science and sport to feature again as yesterday it was announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Belarusian women's shot put gold medallist Nadzeya Ostapchuk has been stripped of her title after failing a doping test.
Both samples of her urine (taken before and after the event) tested positive for metenolone which as the IOC states" is classified as anabolic agent under the 2012 prohibited list."
Metenolone is an anabolic steroid with testosterone like properties. By mimicking the effects of testosterone the drug increases the amount of protein synthesis occurring within body cells, which results in the build up of cellular tissue (known as anabolism), particularly in muscle cells.
To state the obvious such development provides an unfair advantage over other athletes within the sport and hence substances such as these are banned!
New Zealand's Valerie Adams, who was originally second, has now been awarded the gold medal.
Finally good luck to anyone receiving results this Thursday, I hope they go well for you!
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Tinnitus
When looking on the Internet for music festival tickets I became side tracked and came across a campaign which well known much artists Plan B and Chris Martin are supporting. The campaign is called "The Loud Music Campaign" and one of the medical conditions it warns about/offers advice on is Tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a sound that's heard in one or both ears for which there's no external source. The sounds appears to originate within the ear and is often described as a "ringing or buzzing" sound. There is actually nothing causing the sounds, it is a misinterpretation by the brain of signals from the nerves in the ear.
Tinnitus that occurs in only one ear could be more serious as it may be caused by an acoustic neuroma. Having only read briefly about acoustic neuromas in very simple terms an acoustic neuroma is a rare tumour that grows around the auditory vestibular nerve (acoustic nerve) that connects the ear to the brain. An acoustic neuroma is benign (not cancerous), which means it does not spread to other parts of the body. However, it can damage several important nerves as it grows and consequently cause effects such as tinnitus.
Episodes of tinnitus can be brief, for example after attending a loud music concert or permanent, for example Plan B is a permanent suffer having played many concerts over his career. Nowadays musicians use in ear filter plugs to protect their ears whilst they perform and the use of earplugs amongst spectators is something "The Loud Music Campaign" is trying to promote!
The most common causes are regular exposure to loud noises (eg loud music or loud noise in a workplace such as drilling) and excess ear wax which can also have a negative effect.
Tinnitus is a sound that's heard in one or both ears for which there's no external source. The sounds appears to originate within the ear and is often described as a "ringing or buzzing" sound. There is actually nothing causing the sounds, it is a misinterpretation by the brain of signals from the nerves in the ear.
Tinnitus that occurs in only one ear could be more serious as it may be caused by an acoustic neuroma. Having only read briefly about acoustic neuromas in very simple terms an acoustic neuroma is a rare tumour that grows around the auditory vestibular nerve (acoustic nerve) that connects the ear to the brain. An acoustic neuroma is benign (not cancerous), which means it does not spread to other parts of the body. However, it can damage several important nerves as it grows and consequently cause effects such as tinnitus.
Episodes of tinnitus can be brief, for example after attending a loud music concert or permanent, for example Plan B is a permanent suffer having played many concerts over his career. Nowadays musicians use in ear filter plugs to protect their ears whilst they perform and the use of earplugs amongst spectators is something "The Loud Music Campaign" is trying to promote!
The most common causes are regular exposure to loud noises (eg loud music or loud noise in a workplace such as drilling) and excess ear wax which can also have a negative effect.
Avoiding exposure to loud noise and earwax build-up can help prevent tinnitus. If there is a treatable underlying cause, once this is treated the tinnitus should disappear. In addition if tinnitus does begin to occur steps must be taken to ensure it doesn't get any worse!
Masking the noise with a background radio or a masking device (using white noise) helps to distract the person from their tinnitus.
Here is a link to a page on The Loud Music Campaign's website where you can find more information and an example mp3 clip of what tinnitus sounds like!
Friday, 3 August 2012
UKCAT
I sat the UKCAT on Wednesday, glad its out of the way!
Having a well deserved break this week, at the olympics this weekend
Having a well deserved break this week, at the olympics this weekend
Monday, 23 July 2012
Physical INactivity
Having just returned from a two week summer holiday the theme of inactivity, recently featured on the BBC Health page, is fresh on my mind!
We often hear about the importance of activity and the various health benefits it can have, there are adverts on the TV, leaflets posted through our doors advertising fitness groups and notices in school about what there is to get involved in.
A recent study published in the Lancet has taken the opposite approach investigating and reporting on the effects of inactivity! Here is the summary..
The study suggests that inactivity caused 9% of the deaths worldwide in 2008, equivalent to 5.3 million. Or roughly "one in 10 deaths from diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and breast and colon cancer."
It is recommended that adults do 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise each week, such as brisk walking or gentle cycling, anything less than this being considered inactivity.
The Lancet study also found people in higher income countries were the least active with those in the UK among the worst, as nearly two-thirds of adults were judged not to be doing enough exercise. This could be related to the lesser percentage employed in manual labour and the increased income in some cases allowing for luxuries such as washing machines instead of manual chores.
Increased physical activity is a priority within public health as an increase will ultimately lead to improved health, reduced disease and fewer deaths. Achieving this is easier said than done, perhaps the first steps are being put into place, improving access and providing information are key! For example I have recently seen new "outdoor gyms" in local parks to encourage physical activity, access is easy, the environment is a safe one and most of all the facilities are free!
We often hear about the importance of activity and the various health benefits it can have, there are adverts on the TV, leaflets posted through our doors advertising fitness groups and notices in school about what there is to get involved in.
A recent study published in the Lancet has taken the opposite approach investigating and reporting on the effects of inactivity! Here is the summary..
The study suggests that inactivity caused 9% of the deaths worldwide in 2008, equivalent to 5.3 million. Or roughly "one in 10 deaths from diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and breast and colon cancer."
It is recommended that adults do 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise each week, such as brisk walking or gentle cycling, anything less than this being considered inactivity.
The Lancet study also found people in higher income countries were the least active with those in the UK among the worst, as nearly two-thirds of adults were judged not to be doing enough exercise. This could be related to the lesser percentage employed in manual labour and the increased income in some cases allowing for luxuries such as washing machines instead of manual chores.
Increased physical activity is a priority within public health as an increase will ultimately lead to improved health, reduced disease and fewer deaths. Achieving this is easier said than done, perhaps the first steps are being put into place, improving access and providing information are key! For example I have recently seen new "outdoor gyms" in local parks to encourage physical activity, access is easy, the environment is a safe one and most of all the facilities are free!
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Kinesio Tape
"Kinesio tape" has in fact been around for a few years, since 2008, however it has become more and more popular in the past year and I have seen the tape being worn by rugby players in the six nations and most recently by Mario Balloteli in Euro 2012 however the name of the tape was unknown to me. The recent article on the tape by the BBC, which is in fact called "kinesio tape"has allowed me to find out more!
The tape got its name from kinesiology which is the scientific study of human movement!
The article by the BBC can be found here, another source of information is the introductory video by Kinesio themselves which can be found here
The tape is described to have four main effects: to encourage correct muscle function, improve circulation, provide pain relief and repositioning of a subluxed joint (a "partial dislocation" of a joint)
The scientific claims which have not yet been proven as research is still ongoing are that the tape lifts the skin enabling the circulation of lypmh and blood and therefore relieving pressure. As there is less pressure on the pain receptors less pain will be felt and the reduction of fluid in the named area will lead to less inflammation.
There is also the power of the placebo effect to be considered, having used the tape myself once during a rugby tournament it may have simply been my belief which allowed me to see "results". Perhaps the injury would have improved without the tape? The tape provided support however any old tape would have also done this, its impossible to tell whether the pain and swelling reduction was aided by the Kinesio tape.
Until the research is complete the claims can't be verified however at present medical professionals and physios are using the tape to treat patients with injuries, particularly those obtained in sport.
The tape got its name from kinesiology which is the scientific study of human movement!
The article by the BBC can be found here, another source of information is the introductory video by Kinesio themselves which can be found here
The tape is described to have four main effects: to encourage correct muscle function, improve circulation, provide pain relief and repositioning of a subluxed joint (a "partial dislocation" of a joint)
The scientific claims which have not yet been proven as research is still ongoing are that the tape lifts the skin enabling the circulation of lypmh and blood and therefore relieving pressure. As there is less pressure on the pain receptors less pain will be felt and the reduction of fluid in the named area will lead to less inflammation.
There is also the power of the placebo effect to be considered, having used the tape myself once during a rugby tournament it may have simply been my belief which allowed me to see "results". Perhaps the injury would have improved without the tape? The tape provided support however any old tape would have also done this, its impossible to tell whether the pain and swelling reduction was aided by the Kinesio tape.
Until the research is complete the claims can't be verified however at present medical professionals and physios are using the tape to treat patients with injuries, particularly those obtained in sport.
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