There are some new training methods that are being investigated now which have shown great promise in reducing the risk of head injury in the game of football. The training program is called “Heads Up Football.” The data associated with schools that have deployed and implemented this system have shown a drop in the rates of concussions among players who have received the “heads up” training and coaching techniques.
In addition to this type of training, it is also very important that any player who may be at risk for repeated head contact must be wearing properly fitted headgear. And keep in mind that there is no latitude for improperly fitted helmets. Many soccer organizations are now even beginning to promote some form of headgear for soccer players.
Approximately 300,000 adolescents suffer concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries each year while participating in high school sports. And high school girls do have a significantly higher concussion rate than boys according to a recent 2017 orthopedic medical study.
The study hypothesizes that girls may be at greater risk of concussion while playing soccer due to “heading” the ball, not having appropriate protective gear and perhaps a greater emphasis on contact during the game. Coach and parental awareness are key components to addressing any injuries that have occurred and preventing further progression of those injuries to something more serious.
Aside from the impact on your skin, dry air also contributes to those jarring static shocks that practically propels you across the room every time you touch your pet or grab a conductive object! Aside from the traditional central HVAC humidifier or room sized/table top humidifier, there are several other simple, low-cost actions to reach the target 35-45% humidity level in your home:
Use a traditional tea pot to boil water and quickly add humidity to your kitchens adjacent living space. Houseplants can help in adding humidity to your home. Plants continuously release moisture from their leaves and stems as vapor. This process is called transpiration and if you keep your plants watered, they will help regulate humidity levels inside your home. Place a metal or ceramic bowl on top of your floor register or a radiant heating unit. Depending on the current humidity levels in your home (and how much your heat is blasting) the water will evaporate into the air.
Finally, vent your clothes dryer inside instead of outside your home with a simple conversion kit. The moisture from drying your clothes will stay in the house and reduce heating costs by releasing the warm air into your home.
In winter, the humidity drops and dry air sucks moisture out of your skin. With less humidity, the moisture in your skin evaporates more quickly. When it’s cold outside, a long hot bath or shower may seem really appealing. However, within 15 minutes, that hot water starts degrading the lipid (fatty & oil) layer, and the removal of these natural fats dry your skin.
Try to treat dry hands at the very first sign of symptom. Large cracks or fissures can be difficult to treat if you wait too long. Apply a hand cream or treatment at least twice daily—but you really should be applying it after every hand wash or the moment they begin to feel dry again. If you’re prone to dry, cracked hands, try to avoid hand sanitizers, which are high in alcohol. Use gentle cleansing soaps that are lipid-free and are more moisturizing than traditional antibacterial soaps. If you develop cracks on your skin or fingers, apply bacitracin or hydrocortisone 1% ointment to the open area twice daily for up to two weeks, then wrap with a Band-Aid.
One reason that it takes so long for people to recover from pneumonia is because of all of the byproducts and debris that is left behind in the lung tissue. While antibiotics help kill the bacteria, your body’s internal weaponry must then work to clear your lungs. This often leads to prolonged and severe coughing and shortness of breath with any significant exertion.
In addition to the energy used in the process of chronic coughing, lingering symptoms of fatigue and weakness can also be pronounced. There’s no surefire way to predict how long it takes for anybody to recover from pneumonia, but those individuals who are not an optimal health at the onset of illness will take longer to recover.
During recovery, it’s important to stay in contact with your primary care physician, who can help you deal with any other potential complications. A local qualified and certified urgent care like Lakes Urgent Care, is another resource if your primary care physician is not available.
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all babies and children younger than two years of age, as well as all adults 65 years or older. They also recommend that everyone between the ages of two and 64 who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease due to underlying chronic medical conditions should also be vaccinated.
There are two pneumonia vaccines currently available on the market. The vaccine sometimes referred to as Prevnar 13 is appropriate for all ages. The vaccine otherwise known as Pneumovax 23 is generally recommended for adults age 65 or older, or those who are at increased risk of contracting pneumonia.
The CDC website, your primary care physician or pediatrician will be an excellent resource of information to decide if you should be vaccinated. The vaccines for adults are available at Lakes Urgent Care if your primary care physician does not stock it.
Pneumonia can range from either mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in either one or both lungs. Once this occurs, those sacks may fill with fluid or pus, causing symptoms of cough in addition to fever, chills and difficulty in breathing.
While pneumonia is not contagious, the germs that cause pneumonia can spread from person-to-person. When these bacteria enter the lungs, they can overpower the immune system, which is very delicate. The most serious cases tend to occur with older adults, children and those with chronic diseases like emphysema, asthma and heart disease.
Most commonly, pneumonia is a secondary complication of a milder respiratory infection like bronchitis or especially with those who are afflicted with the flu.
Perhaps the number one preventative thing that we can all do is get vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Good hand hygiene is imperative as another preventative measure against the spread of illness. Teach children to cover their cough or sneeze and to wash their hands after they touch their noses or sneeze.
Try to promote a healthy winter diet. Many of us complain about putting on the calories during the winter months but eating food items rich in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, melons and leafy greens are a great way to maintain a healthy immune system while limiting calorie intake. Also, keep well hydrated as this will help to reduce the susceptibility to a cold or the flu. Lastly, shake off winter laziness and avoid seasonal depression by encouraging regular exercise during the winter. Activities such as ice skating, snowboarding, skiing and tobogganing are all fun and healthy!
Protect your child’s head from injury, especially during any type of winter sports where there is a significant amount of motion and potential for falling. Remember that hard packed snow and ice can be just as damaging as a fall on concrete.
A sledding hill should not be too steep, with a slope of less than 30 degrees that ends with a flat runoff. Often, sledding hills are not far from highways or roads so it’s important to keep a safe distance from motor vehicles. Any sledding area should be clear of obstructions like trees or fences. Kids can prevent injury by wearing a helmet and sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first. Dressing in layers is also important. If your child begins to sweat, remove layers as needed, so they stay dry. Wet clothes can lead to hypothermia or frostbite.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations and limit your baby’s exposure to potential infections.
Good hand hygiene is imperative. Before letting anyone touch your child, ask them to wash their hands first.
You should not use a blanket in your child’s crib. If you’re concerned that she may be cold, dress her in a warm baby sleeper and investigate any potential cold drafts that may be in the room, particularly from windows that may leak. Your home has a lower relative humidity during the winter months and running the heat contributes to further dryness. If your baby develops eczema, consult with your pediatrician or primary care physician to determine the best course of action.
