Injuries, Wound and Trauma
The normal course of daily living ensures that at some point we will injure ourselves. The body is great at healing minor injuries, and first-aid basics will help keep injuries from becoming serious or infected.
As we move up to more serious injuries, again knowing what to do first is important, even if follow-up care must be done by a medic or hospital emergency room.
It's always better to prevent injury if you can. Pay attention to hazards that can cause falls. In the kitchen use cutting blocks and sharp knives - they are safer because you use less pressure while cutting.
Recently Answered
- Q Where will I feel pain if I injure my liver?
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If you have a liver injury, you may feel pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. You may also feel it just below the right shoulder blade, right shoulder, and below or underneath the sternum. Sometimes pain can also be referred in the front... Full Answer
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- Q What complications can occur from a puncture wound?
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There are three concerns if you have a puncture wound, like the one you can get from a rusty nail:Foreign body The wound may not fully heal if a piece of glass, metal, or other material remains inside the puncture wound. An x-ray can sometimes reveal a... Full Answer
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- Q How can I know if I have a kidney injury?
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Signs and symptoms of a kidney injury include throwing up or feeling like throwing up, rigid or tight back muscles, and blood in the urine. Usually a patient with a kidney injury will have sustained a known force or trauma to the lower back. A... Full Answer
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- Q What is a wound infection?
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A wound infection occurs when there has been insufficient care for a wound. If a wound is large and deep, it is very difficult to clean it totally. Bacteria enter the wound and begin to grow, causing an infection to occur. Causes for infection may... Full Answer
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- Q What could happen if I get hit in the sternum?
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A direct blow to the sternum may result in a heart contusion. This occurs when the heart is compressed between the sternum and the spine, causing an injury to the right ventricle or even a rupture to the aorta. This injury needs to be referred to... Full Answer
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- Q What is heat tetany?
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Heat tetany (hyperventilation and heat stress) is usually related to short periods of stress in intense heat environments. Symptoms may include hyperventilation, respiratory problems, numbness or tingling, or muscle spasms.Treatment includes removing the... Full Answer
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- Q What are the five types of wounds?
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The five types of wounds are abrasion, avulsion, incision, laceration, and puncture. An abrasion is a wound caused by friction when a body scrapes across a rough surface. An avulsion is characterized by a flap. An incision is a cut with clean... Full Answer
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- Q What are examples of abrasions?
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A scraped knee is an example of an abrasion. Other examples include road rash, raspberries, strawberries, and injuries such as a cheese grater or sandpaper could create. (This answer provided for NATA by the Weber State University Athletic... Full Answer
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- Q What is exertional heatstroke?
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Exertional heatstroke is a life-threatening condition during physical activity when the body's core temperature is 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The body is overwhelmed and has difficulty lowering its temperature. (This answer provided for NATA... Full Answer
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- Q Why should I immediately put someone with heatstroke into an ice bath?
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When heatstroke occurs, the core body temperature is already at a very dangerous temperature. Waiting for an ambulance rather than attempting to cool the core body immediately could contribute to long-term damage or death. (This answer provided... Full Answer
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