With any type of head injury, if there has been a loss of consciousness or there is evidence that your athlete has confusion, nausea/ vomiting, visual disturbances or has a headache that will not resolve with a simple dose of Tylenol or Advil, they should be seen by a physician experienced with concussion evaluations. Depending upon the outcome of that evaluation, advanced imaging like a CT scan of the brain may be required.
With extremity injuries, a good role of thumb is if they cannot reliably bear weight on a lower extremity or use their upper extremity for simple tasks like opening a door or carrying a book, it is best to have a physician evaluate that injury and take diagnostic x-rays to rule out the possibility of a fracture. Keep in mind that even though somebody may be able to move a joint, there may still be an underlying fracture and the only reliable method to determine this is with an x-ray and a physician evaluation.
Adequate stretching and conditioning prior to competitive play is the most important thing for parents and student athletes to keep in mind! These are good practices regardless of the level of competition and can often play a significant role in preventing more serious injuries once the whistle blows.
We see and treat a large number of injuries like joint sprains and fractures, in addition to closed head injuries and mild concussions at Lakes Urgent Care. As the rates of participation increase across all pediatric populations, the total number of injuries we see is increasing as well. In general, it seems that the level of competition has become more intense. Many parents and students recognize the opportunities for scholarship dollars if they can elevate their skills to that “next level” for collegiate play. As a result, kids no longer play for a season, but frequently play year-round and that really increases the risk of injury.
Each sport brings its own particular types of injuries. Specific to soccer, we most commonly see lower extremity problems like foot, ankle and knee injuries. They can range from minor sprains and strains of soft tissue and muscle to more serious fractures or ligamentous ruptures requiring surgical repair.
Wearing a properly-fitted helmet, which has been approved with the ATSM label, is an excellent start. In addition to a proper fit on the head itself, make sure your kids understand that it’s critical to also wear the chin strap, so the helmet stays on their head! Beyond that, consider additional safety devices like properly-fitted wrist guards, elbow pads and kneepads. We frequently see severe elbow fractures as a result of skateboard falls, which can quickly ruin a child’s summer.
Winter is not only hard on our bodies, but also takes a toll on playground equipment. As children begin to move outdoors, check playground equipment for things like worn or rusted bolts, cracked plastic parts or exposed splinters of wood. Make sure that any moving parts have been properly lubricated. It is critical to install some sort of padding or landing zone beneath swings, slides or monkey bars. Ideally, shredded rubber is best, but woodchips, mulch or pea gravel can also serve as adequate padding for falls occurring beneath or around the equipment. Experts generally recommend a depth of at least six to nine inches of these substances in areas where children are likely to fall or hit the ground.
Exposure to different allergens or bacteria can help your immune system develop antibodies and other useful proteins that can aid in fighting infections in the future. There is also evidence to suggest that having pets in the home may help children develop antibodies slowly over time. There is certainly nothing wrong with children playing in the dirt outside, but this should always be followed by good sanitary habits including washing hands and exposed areas with soap and water. Cleaning up after play also helps prevent any significant infections from developing initially with contact.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Staying in front of allergy symptoms by utilizing your treatment program before symptoms begin is much more effective. It’s also very helpful to take note of specific triggers that may initiate allergy symptoms. If there are certain seasonal milestones that always seem to give you trouble, such as spring-flowering trees or cottonwood season, it’s always best to take your medication and initiate your prevention program before those triggers come into full bloom.
Pillows accumulate many asthma- and allergy-provoking items such as bacteria, pollen, mold, and dust mites. In general, most experts in this field recommend replacing pillows every 3-5 years at most. It can also be helpful to cover your pillows with allergy-proof protective coverings. And don’t forget to wash your pillowcases at least once a week to keep them free of these allergy-provoking elements.
It’s always best to consult with your primary care physician for direction in creating the best treatment approach to seasonal allergies. Zyrtec is certainly an excellent antihistamine that generally does not cause sedation. Your doctor can tell you if you may also benefit from adding additional elements to your treatment program such as a nasal steroid spray, which is also now being offered as an over-the-counter choice.
It can be dif ficult to determine whether your symptoms are due to a common cold or allergies. However, the most distinct difference is that allergy symptoms generally only cause nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing, without the other typical symptoms of the common cold such as fever, headache, muscle aches and sore throat. Allergy symptoms may also cause sinus congestion that manifests itself as pressure behind the cheekbones and mild to moderate pressure or headache in your forehead just above the eyebrows.
