!!!!!!Bang !!!!!! Nobel Prizes and treatment for Angina in AD 1000

Did you know that a constituent from GTN ( glycerine trinitrate ) may have been used to treat angina in China as long ago as 1000 years ago. Some of you may have experienced the pain caused by angina; the heart muscles not getting sufficient oxygen from blood because the arteries have become 'furred up' cause the pain. The attack abates if the patient rests, but more rapid relief is obtained by taking a number of drugs, the most common one used is GTN, by itself a very high explosive, in fact the major component of dynamite.

The first description of the use of GTN was reported in Lancet in 1879, although the reason for GTN's success was not understood until very recently(1987). It is thought that the release of nitric oxide from GTN, probably in the artery wall, dilates the artery and causes more blood to flow thus giving more oxygen and consequently relief.

Ascanio Sobrero, an Italian Chemist, who was lucky to survive as GTN is easily detonated by a physical shock resulting in an enormous explosion, first made GTN in 1847. Alfred Nobel made a fortune by discovering in the mid 1800 hundreds that GTN could be absorbed into kieselguhr, an absorbent clay. This gave the world DYNAMITE and the greatest usage was, and still is, in mining, not warfare. His brother and several other workers were killed in an explosion during the development. Oddly enough Alfred Nobel developed angina as he got older and was treated with GTN, the very substance that had made him extremely wealthy.

There has been a lot of recent work investigating similar compounds, which react in the same way as GTN by releasing nitric oxide into the artery walls, and this has bought about a minor revolution in the understanding of human physiology. However, in 1901 a fantastic collection of manuscripts was found in central Asia dating back to 1000 AD; one document describes a treatment for what was angina.

Patients were asked to put nitre, potassium nitrate, under the tongue. Nitre was well known by the Chinese, as it is a constituent of gunpowder. The bacteria under the tongue cause nitric oxide to be released, which dilates the arteries, allows more blood to flow and transfers more oxygen to the heart muscles.

David Coulter

DON'T BE A COUCH POTATO

Newly published figures show that poor diet and lack of exercise cause more illness than smoking. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the lifestyle of the couch potato has overtaken smoking as the major cause of ill-health in the EU countries. The main conditions caused by bad diet are heart disease, followed by cancer. Apparently around 30 to 40% of cancer cases could be prevented by proper diet. Obesity in adults is up 20 to 30% and is also escalating among children, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease.

HEART INFORMATION LINE

(The following piece came to me as a cutting from someone but I forget who and from a publication the title of which I know not - but it may be useful to you one day....Ed.)

"We are delighted to tell you that since the launch of the British Heart Foundation "Heart Information Line" early this year, the service has proved to be a great success. The national launch followed on the heels of a sucessful trial in the South West of England.

Specially trained cardiac nurses and information officers are on hand to provide a personal and confidential information service on a wide range of issues about heart disease. Nurses working within the medical information team have at least five years experience in the NHS caring for heart patients.

The service is available to anyone who wants to find out specific information about heart conditions and their treatment. If you are recovering from a heart attack or have just found out you have coronary heart disease you may have questions about the impact that lifestyle can have on your condition or about any forthcoming operation. Learning more about your illness and treatment can go a long way towards helping you take control of your life.

Belinda Linden, Head of the MedicalOnformation Department says,"As well as hearing from people who have heart disease we also have calls from people who want to find out more about heart healthy lifestyles and how they can reduce their risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease"

If you would like to speak to someone on the Heart Information Line call 08450 70 80 70

MUSCLES

Trapezius

The trapezius is a very interesting muscle because it has many roles within the human body. The trapezius are primarily involved with postural fuction by assisting with keeping the upper body in an upright position. They are also active in respiration at levels of increased exertion, this occurs by the trapezius moving the rib cage up and down.

Where is my Trapezius muscle?

The trapezius muscle is found in the upper back. The muscle consists of three portions (upper, middle and lower fibres) and they all originate at different levels of the vertebral column (spine). So to keep it simple I will describe the muscle as one. The trapezius originates at the base of the skull and 12 out of the 33 vertebrae, which are found in the vertebral column (spine). The trapezius inserts into the scapula (shoulder blade).

What is the action of my trapezius muscle?

The trapezius mainly elevates and depresses the shoulder girdle (shrugging shoulders). The muscle also has other actions, which are beyond the scope of this article.

How can I strengthen my trapezius muscle?

One of the best exercises to strengthen your trapezius muscle is the upright row. The upright row is a common exercise that is found in most exercise classes.

Beginning position

Grasp a pair of light dumbbells or baked bean cans. Stand erect with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Rest the dumbbells or cans on the thighs with elbows fully extended and pointing out to the sides.

Upward Movement Phase

Pull the dumbbells or cans along the abdomen and chest toward the chin. Keep knees slightly bent and the back straight. Do not jerk the body or swing the dumbbells or cans upward. At the top position, the elbows are higher than the wrists and inline or above the shoulders.

Downward Movement Phase

Allow the dumbbells or cans to slowly lower back to the beginning position. Keep the back and knees in the same position. Repeat the exercise 10-15 times

Please remember to consultant a BACR exercise instructor before starting a new exercise.

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

After a long holiday away with the Boy Scouts seeing all manner of unusual things you think that you couldn't be tricked by anything. In or near Taverstock in Devon I along with many other scouts had seen a small stream flow up hill! Yes, this was true in my eyes, I having throw in small wood sticks to confirm this phenomenon - the stream did flow up hill - truly a remarkable event. Returning to school we were asked by a teacher to recall any event that took place during the holidays. I, full of enthusiasm, put pen to paper and recorded this event. The following week the same teacher read out my essay to the rest of the class. After much laughter from the class of boys he then suggested that I retract my finding in my essay.

I was astonished that he did not believe me and after what I had seen and was incensed by the suggestion that I was a liar. I said he and the class were not there to see it but I was unable to find a boy in the school who was there and able to back me up. I have never been find the stream again but just a short time ago the following information came to hand which made me recall the event.

"THE ELECTRIC BRAE"

The Electric Brae is perhaps one of the best optical illusions in the country. On the Ayr to Girvan road, nine miles south of Ayr, the southbound traveller finds himself with what appears to be a downward sloping stretch of straight road. If a car is allowed to stop it will slowly begin to roll back up?

A survey has shown that what appears to be the top of the hill is 268 feet above sea level and the bottom is 303 feet."

So there!

Brian Barratt

HEALTHY WALKS

Walking is something which we are all encouraged to do as part of our standard exercise programme. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking is all it takes to make a difference to your health. For many of us there is little incentive to do this on our own and it may be of interest that there are now several groups walking locally which members might like to join. In both Slough and Bracknell there are now a series of regular weekly walks organised under the Healthy Walks Scheme which has been set up nationally between the Countryside Agency, the British Heart Foundation and the New Opportunities Fund.

SLOUGH DISTRICT

DAY AND TIME WALK AREA MEETING PLACE

Mondays, 12.30pm Hershel Park Community Nursing, Osborne St.

1st & 3rd Mondays, 12.10pm Salt Hill Park Indoor Tennis Centre car park

2nd & 4th Mondays, 12.10pm Upton Court Park Upton Court car park

and Jubilee River

1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 10.00am Black Park Car park by pay machine

Wednesdays, 10.00am Grand Union Canal Red Lion car park

Wednesdays, 10.00am Baylis Park Rotunda Centre,

(Ladies only) Northumberland Avenue

Thursdays, 10.00am Salt Hill & Baylis Park Indoor Tennis Centre car park

BRACKNELL DISTRICT

Mondays, 9.00am Crowthorne Library car park

Wednesdays, 9.30am Great Hollands Great Hollands surgery

2nd Wednesdays, 10am Lookout Lookout

Wednesdays, 10.45am Sandhurst Memorial Recreation Ground

Thursdays, 9.15am Warfield Whitegrove Medical Centre

Thursdays, 2.00pm South Hill Park Birch Hill shops

All these walks are free, led by a trained volunteer walk leader and take around one hour. Further details can be obtained, for Slough walks, from Fenella Munt at the Slough Parks Department on 01753 875509 or, for Bracknell walks, from Sarah Davidson at the Activate Office on 01344 482255.