Thread vein removal in male cyclists linked to the ‘Wiggins effect’

Sir Bradley Wiggins’ huge cycling successes during 2012 may have inadvertently led to an increasing number of men splashing out money for cosmetic treatment to remove ‘thread veins’ from their legs.

The British cyclist captured the Tour de France title last year before shortly going on to win gold during the time trial event at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and capped a fantastic year by being voted as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. If all that wasn’t impressive enough, he was awarded a knighthood as part of the 2013 New Year Honours.

All of Sir Bradley Wiggins’ successes led to thousands of men across the UK picking up a bike for the first time in many years and getting out onto the open road – the ‘Wiggins effect’ as it has been referred to.

As with many male cyclists though, there is a common penchant for leg hair removal as hair-free legs are much easier to massage. In addition, the smoother legs apparently provide less resistance, with some men arguing that with no hair on the legs they become more ‘aerodynamic’ and increasing potential speed – a somewhat debatable theory perhaps.

However, with so many men now removing their leg hair, previously hidden and unpleasant looking thread veins are now exposed and sudden become more visible.

Thread veins, also known as ‘telangiectasia varicose veins’, are extremely common and usually due to hereditary factors, hormonal changes, or simply down to prolonged periods of standing up over many years. Lifestyle choices such as too much alcohol, too much exposure to sun and smoking have also been linked to an increased risk of developing thread veins.

They appear as small clusters of blue or red veins that have become dilated under the surface of the skin and are usually visible on the cheeks, nose and legs.  There are no painful symptoms associated with thread veins but because of their visible nature, they can cause some degree of distress and create a feeling of unattractiveness to those who have them.

Less than a year after Sir Bradley Wiggins’ cycling victories, doctors have now noted that more men are coming to see them regarding treatment options to remove their thread veins. Common treatments to remove them include laser treatment, whereby the veins absorb the light from the laser and are subsequently destroyed.  There is also a procedure called a Microsclerotherapy, where injections are administered via a very fine needle into the thread veins. This results in the lining of the veins swelling up so that no blood is able to flow through them.

Dr Peter Finigan is specialist thread vein practitioner at Dr Newmans Clinic, a nationwide doctor-led consultancy who specialise in the removal of thread veins. Since September 2012, Dr Finigan has treated over 50 male cyclists at his clinic.

He commented on the new trend, saying: “There has been a significant rise in male cyclists requesting our treatment. One comes along, has his thread veins removed, and recommends it to his friends. Then three or four more from the same cycling club make appointments to see us because they’ve been talking about their thread veins to each other when they have a break. It’s normally only once they’ve shaved or waxed their legs that they even notice the thread veins, even though they may have had them for years. Sometimes, fellow cyclists point them out, so they feel self-conscious and want to do something about them.”

Olympic hero Laura Trott speaks on her fight against asthma

For those who have already read the extensive article Medical Specialists Pharmacy ran, discussing living with asthma and listing some of the many celebrities with asthma, it could prove surprising and at the same time inspirational to learn that the lung condition can be properly managed and be an obstacle in achieving your dreams.

If some of these aspirations happen to be of a sporting nature, you could be forgiven for thinking that a respiratory condition such as asthma that causes difficulty, wheezing, and coughing—can be an impossible hindrance.


In fact, exercise is one of many triggers for asthma, but professional sportsman and asthmatics such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Paula Radcliffe and Rebecca Adlington have demonstrated that it is still possible to succeed.

Added to that list is double Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott, who at a mere 20 years of age, won gold medals in both the Team Pursuit and Omnium events at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

This week, Laura gave a detailed and moving account into her asthma diagnosis and how she has managed to not only cope, but fight her way to Olympic gold – before the age of 21! In addition, she is currently giving her support to the ‘big up your chest’ campaign – Asthma UK’s online resource for asthma sufferers aged between 16 and 25.

She says: “Although I was born early by caesarean, when I arrived in the world, everything seemed fine. But when I didn’t start crying, the doctors quickly realised that something wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t breathing and I was making this croaking sound. No air was getting through so they rushed me to intensive care before Mum even had a chance to hold me. They pulled my dad aside and told him that I’d been born with a collapsed lung and that they needed to operate to save my life.

I went into the operating theatre immediately and they inserted a tube underneath my left underarm – you can still see the zigzag scar today – which inflated the lung that wasn’t working back up to a safer level. Once this had happened, I remained in intensive care for four weeks and after a total of six weeks I was allowed home.

But from the age of two I developed this perpetual cold. I literally had a chest infection for four years, a permanent wheeze on my chest. But asthma can’t be officially diagnosed until a child is six.

By that point I was at junior school and doing PE but I was always becoming very easily out of breath. So I was taken for this test where my breath was measured on a ventilator before and after running down the street for four minutes.

Asthma was finally confirmed and from then on I had to use an inhaler.

The first one I had was this enormous great plastic thing, which I had to lug around in my rucksack every day. I had to take two puffs in the morning, two at lunchtime and two in the evening and I thought it was the most annoying thing in the world.

But after a couple of weeks, I got used to it and gradually realised that asthma wasn’t such a big deal and I certainly didn’t let it get in the way of me doing sport.

Until the age of about 12, I’d always preferred trampolining to cycling but then one day when I was learning how to do a double back somersault I passed out in the air and came down like a sack of potatoes.

My coach was standing underneath me thinking, ‘Oh my God, I need to catch a dead body weight here’. I’d got so dehydrated that I had passed out! Back home I passed out again, narrowly missing hitting my head on the fireplace.

I had loads of tests done afterwards and ultimately they told me that I would have to quit trampolining because it was just too dangerous for me.

So, despite the asthma, I threw myself into cycling, which I’d started at the same time my mum had decided she’d wanted to lose weight – she lost five stone in 18 months! Seeing her determination, I desperately wanted to follow in her footsteps. And if I always had my inhaler with me, my asthma wasn’t really an issue.

That said, the two occasions when I have had a full-on asthma attack – both in the same week when I was 17 and had just finished my A levels – were terrifying.

I was lying on a sofa round at one of my friend’s houses and suddenly there was just no air coming through to my lungs. I was trying to take deep breaths but I just couldn’t breathe and my chest was absolutely killing me. I was gasping for air and I panicked, it felt like I was going to suffocate. I remember crying until my friend got my inhaler and then two or three minutes later I was back to normal again. It happened again the week after that, but it hasn’t happened since.

I’ve heard stories of some people having attacks each week so I’m always extra careful to have my inhaler with me. And apart from suffering ‘pursuiter’s cough’ more painfully than others, which all elite cyclists get after a really full-on race, I don’t let it affect my performance.

What is still a problem, although not quite as serious as it used to be, is my acid reflux.

I know, I sound like a walking health disaster but basically the acid levels in my stomach are too high so if you imagine your tummy’s like a balloon full of food, after a particularly strenuous exertion like a pursuit, or the Omnium event at the Olympics, the acid in my stomach rises and there’s nowhere for the food to go except out.

I regularly vomit after races and if I’m not sick I can taste the rank bile in my mouth. I take tablets to reduce the acid levels, which help a bit, but you can’t take them continually so it’s an on-going issue…Some people might look at the fact they’ve got asthma and acid reflux and let it get in the way of what they want to do, but you can’t have everything, can you? And at least I’ve got fast legs!

It does seem crazy what’s happened. I had such a bad start; I reckon I deserved a break somewhere. I never thought I’d be winning gold medals though. After my taste of success at the London Olympics, there’s no chance that I’m going to let asthma get in my way.

I’ve had it for 18 years so I’m certainly not going to let it affect me now, no way.”

Olympians prove there’s life after asthma

Many would assume that after being diagnosed with asthma, you would not be able to enjoy exercise or sport to the extent that non asthma sufferers do. However whilst it is true that exercise is a trigger for asthma sufferers, does that have to mean an end to sporting activities for asthma sufferers and does it have to spell the end of any sporting hopes and dreams they may have.

Well not according to our Olympians who achieved so much success at the London 2012 Olympics. Bradley Wiggins, 2012 tour de France winner and Olympic gold medalist said, “It does sound quite bad if you are diagnosed with asthma and your natural instinct is to think that’s it. But there is better medication available now and I am an Olympic champion, the evidence is out there that you can succeed.”

That view was echoed by British marathon runner, Paula Radcliffe, who said, “I don’t really think asthma has affected my career, if anything it’s made me more determined to be successful and reach my maximum potential. If you learn to manage your asthma and take the correct medication, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be the best.”

Another Olympian who didn’t let asthma hold her back was swimmer, Karen Pickering. She said, “I was diagnosed with asthma aged seven, which was when my doctor told me that swimming would help my asthma by strengthening my lungs. Despite exercise being one of my asthma triggers, I persevered and always kept an inhaler at the end of my lane while I trained and in my tracksuit pocket as I went up for my races. I went on to compete in four consecutive Summer Olympics and won Commonwealth and World Championship gold medals.”

Other athletes with asthma who took part in this year’s Olympics were: Rebecca Adlington (swimmer), Laura Trott (cycling), Jo Jackson (swimmer), Jo Pavey (runner), Alex Gregory (rower), Andrew Badderley (runner), Greg Rutherford (long jump), Michael Rimmer (runner), Adam Gemili (runner), Laura Weightman (runner), Euan Burton (Judo), Pete Reed (rower), Tom James (rower), Craig Bellamy (footballer), Mhairi Spence (pentathlete), and Ashley McKenzie (judo).

Further statistics from the United States Olympic Committee that back this up are that, 25% of athletes in the 2012 Team GB athletics squad have asthma. 20% of the entire British Olympic Squad at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games had asthma. Half of cross-country skiers and one quarter of aspiring Winter Olympians in general, have exercise-induced asthma.

According to the charity Asthma UK, “Often people with asthma are worried about exercising, because they think it will trigger their asthma symptoms. Actually, the majority of people with asthma should be able to take part in any type of activity or exercise they enjoy, as long as their asthma is under control. By starting with gentle walking or swimming it can be possible to go on to building your stamina and achieving great sporting feats.”

In fact, besides saying that asthmatics can exercise, the charity goes on to say, “Eight out of ten people with asthma aren’t doing enough exercise, often because they’re worried it will trigger their symptoms. But actually exercise can help your asthma, so don’t let it hold you back!”

They continue, “Exercise can help improve your lung capacity, which will help you to manage your asthma better when you exercise, cope better with everyday chores, worry less about your asthma and give you the confidence to manage your condition. If you’re worried about starting to exercise, have a chat with your GP or asthma nurse first. They’ll be able to help you find the best type of exercise for you. Get them to check that your asthma is under control.”

So in conclusion asthma doesn’t have to stop asthmatics enjoying exercise or sport, as long as it is properly managed and controlled. If that’s good enough for Olympic gold medalists such as Bradley Wiggins then it certainly offers hope for the 5.4million asthma sufferers in the UK.

Dangerous fake ‘Olympic condoms’ amongst a £10,000 haul in London

On the same day we have reported about £117 million of counterfeit drugs being seized in China, we can also confirm that the major problem of counterfeit goods is rife on these shores too!

If you are currently in London and enjoying Team GB’s successful Olympic campaign, please make sure you are always vigilant for fake, poorly made goods and Olympic souvenirs. We are issuing these warnings because since the start of the Games on 27 July, there have been seizures of fake goods totalling roughly £10,000 according to the Westminster trading standards.

Included in the haul were fake ‘Olympic branded’ condoms, mobile phone covers, t-shirts and shoes. Sue Jones, head of Westminster trading standards, hit out at the criminal activities and said, “This isn’t about taking anyone to court, but when traders are trying to trick tourists with shoddy or fake Olympic merchandise, we need to take action. Buying bogus Olympic goods is a false economy – they don’t look right, they break easily, and tourists will go away from London with a poor experience of the Games. We want to make sure that people have the best possible experience of the Games and of Westminster.”

Unfortunately, what Sue Jones didn’t explain in detail is just how dangerous it is purchasing cheaper counterfeit condoms. If the low price attracts you to purchase fake condoms, perhaps the risks you face with them could deter you, and instead opt for genuine, quality-made Durex or Skins condoms.

For example, there is a massive risk the fake condoms will not even do the job they are meant for in the first place! With a lack of good protection on offer, the risk of catching and spreading a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or herpes is massive, as well as unwanted pregnancies.

Male and female contraception should only be purchased from a highly reputable source such as Medical Specialists Pharmacy. Every medication or product dispatched to our patients is 100% genuine and their health is at the core of our business practice. We have a wide range of both Durex and Skins condoms at great prices from our chemist shop. However, if you suspect you may have used a low-quality fake condom, we offer a Clamelle chlamydia test kit for just £24.85 which can be used in the privacy of your own home to prevent an embarrassing visit to your GP. Or, if you have been confirmed as having this or gonorrhoea, the antibiotic Azithromycin can prevent the spread of the bacteria so that your body’s natural defences can fight back and remove the infection from your system. We also have the medication Valtrex working out as costing just £3.50 per tablet, which works by slowing the spread of the herpes virus.

Olympian’s heavy training regimes could be causing asthma

With the London Summer Olympic Games now in full swing, an Australian study has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, investigating the impact of the training involved on the athletes and any connections to chronic lung conditions.

In a country such as Australia, whereby more than 2 million people suffer from the lung condition  asthma (about 1 in 10 adults and about 1 in 9 or 10 children),  clearly the study author based at the University of Western Australia realised it was a serious subject matter than warranted some analysis.

Sole author of the study, researcher Kenneth D. Fitch, underwent the painstaking task of pinpointing every single Olympic athlete suffering from asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) who had competed during the previous five Olympic Games (2002 to 2010), and who had been using an inhaled beta-2 agonist (IBA) such as Ventolin Evohaler.

Hyper-responsiveness occurs usually between 15 to 30 minutes after exposure to an allergen and is the beginning stage of an asthma attack. Together, asthma and AHR are the most prevailing of chronic conditions seen in Olympians, with a prevalence rate of around 8%. Because of this, the researchers wondered if it was down to the intense, rigorous physical training the athletes undergo to get into peak condition for the events.

In both the summer and winter Olympics, it was noted there are a high number of athletes suffering from asthma and AHR in those who are involved in endurance events. These are usually aerobic sports that demand quite an extended period of output for the athlete and include events such as triathlon, decathlon, rowing, cross-country skiing, running and bicycle races. In addition, it was discovered that lung problems are quite late onset in a high number of older competitors. This led the study author to believe that the gruelling years of training have played a part.

Fitch offered his thoughts on the study he had carried out, saying, “Inhaling polluted or cold air is considered an important factor which might explain the cause in some sports, but not in all.”
Clearly with two Olympic events occurring in contrasting seasons such as the summer and winter games, Fitch then considered the prospect that the two differing temperatures, environments, etc, involved in both the training and games themselves, could affect the athletes.

He commented, “The quality of inhaled air could be harmful to the airways, but does not cause the same effect in all sports.” Fitch highlighted that the prevalence of asthma and AHR is greater in the summer Olympics in those athletes who are training for endurance events. He also said that if there are a larger total of winter athletes suffering with asthma in comparison to their summer counterparts, this could be due to the fact there are a lower number of individual medals available in the endurance events.
One interesting point touched upon in Fitch’s study, was the fact that there are a good proportion of asthmatic competitors who are routinely beating their ‘healthier’ counterparts to medals. There are currently no links to asthma inhalers being directly responsible for increased performance levels, but Fitch suggests that further studies could be done to further analyse a potential correlation. His point could be valid as the hugely successful and acclaimed Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes is a notorious asthmatic, and is regularly seen puffing on his Salbutamol inhaler on the Old Trafford pitch.

Asthma is not just a condition that affects athletes however; in the UK alone there are 5.4 million people currently receiving treatment for asthma. This equates to 1 in every 12 adults and 1 in every 11 children.

Medical Specialists Pharmacy is at hand to help you with your asthma. We have great prices on all asthma treatment, including blue reliever inhalers such as Ventolin Evohaler and Sandoz Salbutamol. These inhalers are taken immediately to relieve asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways. This allows the airways to open wider, making it easier to breathe again. Relievers are essential in treating asthma attacks.

We also have brown preventer inhalers such as Qvar beclometasone and Qvar Easi-Breathe, both at low prices. Brown inhalers are used for asthma prevention and should not be used to relief shortness of breath or sudden asthma attacks. These inhalers control the swelling and inflammation in the airways and reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks. The preventers need to be used daily (usually in the morning and at night) and even when you are feeling well. As the protective effect of the steroid builds up, you will be less likely to be breathless or have asthma attacks.

Viagra not banned from Olympians

Manufactured by Pfizer and introduced in 1998, Viagra is the trade name for the compound sildenafil citrate. This drug is used primarily to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), but it has also found niche uses as well for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, high blood pressure in the lungs) and altitude sickness. Viagra is similar in properties to both Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), which are also prescribed for ED.

By inhibiting an enzyme in the penis called cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5, Viagra acts by increasing blood flow that produces an erection. Viagra acts as a vasodilator because it dilates the blood vessels. The famous ‘blue pill’ is available in dosages of 25, 50 and 100 mg, and is recommended for use not more than once per day, between 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse.

If Viagra can produce greater blood flow in the penis, could it also produce increased blood flow elsewhere in the body? And, as a result, might it lead to increased oxygen delivery to the muscles in a way that could enhance athletic performance?

Interestingly, we learned during the Balco investigation that many professional baseball players and other athletes were using Viagra as an on-field performance-enhancing agent. In fact, in 2008 Victor Balco claimed that the use of Viagra was even more common than the use of creatine.
The science about Viagra and athletic performance is actually very sparse.

Interest in this regard was stimulated by a study of 14 mountaineers and trekkers by a group of investigators at the University of Giessen in 2004[1]. They studied the athletes using a cycling test at near sea level (in Giessen), with a reduced-oxygen environment, and again at Mount Everest Base Camp (5245 m). They found that Viagra increased the maximum workload in each setting and concluded that “sildenafil is the first drug shown to increase exercise capacity during severe hypoxia both at sea level and at high altitude.”

There has been just one other study in humans to show a direct benefit of Viagra on athletic performance [2]. A group of investigators from Stanford hypothesised that Viagra would improve the cardiac output (CO), arterial oxygen saturation (PaO2), and performance at altitude (relatively low oxygen environment), but would have no effect at sea level (with a normal level of atmospheric oxygen). They studied 10 cyclists with a 10 km time trial (TT) at both sea level and simulated high altitude (3874 m). At sea level, Viagra had no effect on the outcome measures. At altitude, Viagra produced higher CO, higher PaO2, and a 15% improvement in time for the 10 km TT. On review, though, the investigators found that there were actually 2 subgroups: a group of Viagra responders, who improved their TT performance by 39% and a group of non-responders who improved their TT performance by only 1% (which was not statistically significant). The authors concluded that Viagra can greatly improve cardiovascular function and performance in a low-oxygen environment for certain individuals.

But, of course typical athletes don’t compete at altitudes of 2+ miles!

The issue of whether Viagra might affect athletic performance drew the world’s attention heading into the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. In assembling its list of banned substances for 2008, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wrote: “As regards sildenafil (Viagra), WADA is aware of studies presented in relation to the potential of sildenafil to restore pulmonary capacities at very high altitudes. WADA is currently funding a number of research projects on the effects of sildenafil at various altitudes. These projects are ongoing.” Indeed, Viagra has not yet been added to the WADA list of banned substances.

In summary, then, Viagra is useful for the treatment of ED and PAH. Although there is some evidence of performance-enhancing effects on athletic performance (in some individuals) at altitude, there is no evidence that Viagra improves performance in typical athletic activities.

One thing we can be sure of is that Viagra greatly improves ED and therefore the performance in the bedroom. Whether or not any Olympians will be taking Viagra for on or off the track activities remains to be seen. Either way, Medical Specialists Pharmacy can guarantee that their Viagra is genuine and from Pfizer, and is available to suitable patients after an online consultation with one of our in-house Doctors. It will then be dispensed by our in-house Pharmacy, and delivered to your required destination (home, office or even the Olympics), within 24 hours.

References:

1. Ghofrani HA, Reichenberger F, Kohstall MG, et al. Sildenafil increased exercise capacity during hypoxia at low altitudes and at Mount Everest Base Camp. Ann Int Med 2004; 141:169-177.

2. Hsu A, Bamholt KE, Grundmann NK, et al. Sildenafil improves cardiac output and exercise performance during acute hypoxia, but not normoxia. J Appl Physiol 2006; 100:2031-2034.

Medics at the London Summer Olympics are braced for the event of a cardiac arrest

In just three days’ time on the 27 July, the London Summer Olympic Games will finally commence. It is estimated that there will be a total cast of 15,000 taking part in the London 2012 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which will be watched by an estimated audience of four billion.

After being chosen as the host nation for the games back in 2005, it has been a long seven-year wait for British athletes to showcase their talents in diverse sporting events such as football, fencing, basketball, tennis and many more.

For the four billion people around the world who will be watching the exciting events unfold on their television screens, it will no doubt be an assumption that these ‘superhuman’ athletes are at the peak of physical fitness, almost immune to ailments.

However such assumptions may be slightly naïve. This year alone we have seen seemingly fit and healthy individuals suffer with cardiac arrest, related to underlying heart conditions. When Bolton Wanders footballer Fabrice Muamba collapsed due to cardiac arrest on the White Hart Lane pitch on 17 March, the whole world was shocked by his near-death and the suddenness of the event. Muamba was lucky to receive a rapid response by medical personnel and somehow managed to survive this.

Others unfortunately were not as lucky as Muamba. Less than a month after the collapse of Muamba, Italian footballer Piermario Morisini stumbled on the ground in the 31^st minute of Livorno’s Serie B match against Pescara. After trying to get up, he collapsed and lost consciousness. Despite receiving medical attention on the field, there was no defibrillator inside the stadium and crucial time was wasted in waiting for one to arrive. In a tragic sense of irony, this happened in a country that is incredibly cautious about cardiac problems and has been routinely screening all athletes since the 1970s. This is done in three main ways; Physical examination and medical history, Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) and finally by a Transthoracic Echocardiogram (ECHO).

After the tragic collapse and death of 32-year old Claire Squires during the London Marathon in May of this year, this has further intensified the spotlight on sudden cardiac arrests. Claire was slim, healthy and was described as a ‘fitness fanatic’ by friends and family. She had even previously successfully run the London Marathon, which made her shock death more difficult to comprehend.

After Claire had collapsed on Birdcage Walk close to Buckingham Palace, it was medical director for the marathon, Dr Sanjay Sharma, who desperately tried to save her life. Claire’s death will undoubtedly have had a major emotional impact on Dr Sharma, and as head of the cardiology team for the 2012 Olympics, he will be putting all his efforts into making sure any sudden cardiac arrests or deaths do not rear their head during the games.

In fact, Dr Sharma and his team of experts decided to screen approximately 1,000 possible Olympic athletes for any potential underlying cardiac conditions. He says, “We had to screen 32 different squads from various sporting disciplines ranging from athletics to rowing, many of which contained individuals not necessarily going to make the final team. The aim was to identify conditions that could potentially cause sudden cardiac death in an individual.”

Of these athletes who were screened, two were discovered to have Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome (WPW). This is a syndrome that is usually present from birth and involves episodes of rapid heart rate (tachycardia) caused by abnormal electrical pathways (circuits) in the heart. These athletes would not have been authorised to compete at London without having a catheter ablation and Dr Sharma is unaware of whether these particular two individuals ended up successfully making it to the final Olympic squad.

In the subsequent recent months since Muamba first collapsed, there has also been the sudden cardiac deaths of the 24-year old expected gold medallist, Norwegian swimmer Alexander Dale-Owen expected gold medallist, and also the death of 24-year old Serbian rower Nemanja Nesic.

These distressing occurrences will likely raise fears amongst Olympians says Dr Sharma, who expects a high number of athletes to visit the £17million constructed ‘polyclinic’, the newly built health centre in Stratford, Central London. The medical personnel at the polyclinic are said to include three GPs, three nurses, four sports medicine doctors, six dentists, with 30 physiotherapists on duty at any one time at the clinic. In addition, there will be a further 80 on-call specialists available, including cardiologists, dermatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, ophthalmologists and psychiatrists.

Dr Sharma spoke about how the high-profile cardiac incidents of this year, will probably raise concern, saying, “We may have athletes who complain of symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease. Chest pain is common, and it’s not always due to cardiac causes. It may be due to a musculoskeletal injury or maybe pleurisy because they have caught a cold. I anticipate athletes coming in with palpitations, which can happen with anxiety, or if you’ve hit the caffeine or been training very hard. Or there may be an athlete who is not used to too much pollen who gets more breathless every time they exercise.”

Athletes at the games need not worry too much though and should try to relax and enjoy themselves. They are in safe hands as Dr Sharma says the cardiac emergency response has been thoroughly planned. There will be a huge availability of defibrillators and a high number of medical staff who can carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation. “There will be at least one automated external defibrillator for every mile of the marathon, but there will be cycle responders in between who will be carrying AEDs”, says Dr Sharma. He further attempted to alleviate any worries and said, “I’m not expecting any catastrophes.”

Medical Specialists Pharmacy wishes a safe and enjoyable experience for all the athletes who are involved at the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games and we will be proudly supporting Team GB in their quest for gold. Let the games begin!