Caring For Injuries

Caring For Injuries
The risk of an injury happening is directly related to the physical environment and
behavior, and how these are managed. Injuries can be divided into two
categories--unintentional and intentional. Unintentional injuries may result from choking,
falls, burns, drowning, swallowing toxic or other materials (poisoning), cuts from sharp
objects, exposure to environmental hazards such as chemicals, radon, or lead, or animal
bites, or other "accidents."

Running, aerobics and other forms of exercise are good for your health, but these
activities can raise your risk for sprained joints, strained muscles and other minor
injuries. Proper care in the first day or two after injury can reduce the time you are
sidelined by it.

Injuries require immediate action. You will need to assess the injury to determine what
type of medical attention, if any, is required.

Limit the activity which caused the injury. But remember not to completely quit using
an injured area -- maintaining a minimum of use actually speeds up the healing
process.

Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen also reduce swelling, although not everyone
can take these without stomach irritation.

Ice an injured limb to reduce pain and swelling. But don't ice a limb for more than 20
minutes each hour.

Elevating an injured area also helps reduce swelling and pain. For maximum reduction of
swelling, elevate the limb above the heart.

Massaging the injured area is particularly effective with some nerve-related
injuries.

Stretching can reduce pain as well, although this is typically true with simpler
injuries like cramping.

Limit the activity which caused the injury. But remember not to completely quit using an injured area -- maintaining a minimum of use actually speeds up the healing process.

Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen also reduce swelling, although not everyone can take these without stomach irritation.

Ice an injured limb to reduce pain and swelling. But don't ice a limb for more than 20 minutes each hour.

Elevating an injured area also helps reduce swelling and pain. For maximum reduction of swelling, elevate the limb above the heart.

Massaging the injured area is particularly effective with some nerve-related injuries.

Stretching can reduce pain as well, although this is typically true with simpler injuries like cramping.