STRAINS AND SPRAINS

 

There can be any one of a number of causes for muscle strain or injury. It may be an one-off accident caused by sudden twisting or turning on the sport field. It may be over-use, for example after a long walk if you are not used to taking regular exercise.

Strains and sprains should be treated using the RICE principle:

 

R – rest the injured area to aid healing and prevent further damage.

I – ice or freeze spray to cool inflammation and reduce swelling (heat treatments should never be used until 2 or 3 days after the injury has been sustained).

C – compress by bandaging. This provides support for the injured area.

E - elevate the damaged limb to lessen swelling and bruising.

 

Analgesics containing ibuprofen or aspirin are ideal for such problems as they treat the inflammation as well as the pain. These are also appropriate for the more general aches and pains common after over exertion. But as always, prevention is better than cure, so always take the time to warm up properly any sports activity and ensure you are wearing clothing, especially shoes, that won’t restrict movement and lead to damage.

Sportsmen and women, the elderly young children are particularly susceptible to more serious muscular or soft tissue injuries. In general a doctor’s advice should be sought when swelling has not subsided after 72 hours, the injury cannot bear any weight, or there is extensive or persistent bruising.

 

 

WATCH YOUR BACK

 

Back problems vary in severity. For some people a bad back means the odd twinge while for others it can be completely disabling and agonisingly painful.

There are many causes of back pain, including things like pregnancy, kidney infections and obesity. The majority of problems however, result from damage to the mechanical structure of the back which is put under constant stress as we go about our daily activities.

The following points provide simple self-help measures to help protect your back from everyday stresses: - Posture – always keep the back straight when seated or standing; A well-sprung bed will support the spine during sleep. A firm board under the mattress provides additional support; Work surfaces should be adjusted to a height which does not require bending; If overweight, losing a few pounds will ease the strain on the back; When carrying heavy objects, keep them close to the body and the spine straight. Bend the knees not the back when picking things up and putting them down. When carrying heavy shopping, distribute the load evenly between both hands – better still use a rucksack; The elderly should try and take regular, gentle exercise to maintain flexibility and strength of muscles and ligaments.

Pain resulting from back injuries can be treated in a similar way to muscular strains, as outlined above. Anti-inflammatory analgesics are now available in a gel form at your UniChem Pharmacy. These can be applied directly to the area causing discomfort for immediate relief. However if pain should persist beyond three days it is advisable to see your doctor who may recommend further treatment. Always ask your doctor to suggest a reputable osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist, if you want to try alternative approaches.

 

CROUP

 

Spasmodic croup without fever. Croup is the word commonly used for various kinds of laryngitis in children. There is usually a hoarse, ringing, barking cough (croupy cough) and some tightness in the breathing.

The commonest and mildest type, spasmodic croup without fever, comes on suddenly during the evening. The child may have been perfectly healthy during the day or have had the mildest kind of cold without cough. Suddenly he wakes up with a violent fit of croupy coughing, is quite hoarse and is having difficulty breathing. He struggles and heaves to get his breath in. It’s quite a scary picture when you see it the first time, but it’s not so serious as it looks. You should call the doctor promptly for any kind of croup.

The emergency treatment of croup, until the doctor can be reached, is moist air. Use a cold mist humidifier if you have one, or other ways to humidify. Carry the child into the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the bathtub or shower – to make steam, not to put the child into. If there is a shower, that will work best of all.

When the child breathes the moist air, the croup usually begins to improve rapidly. Meanwhile, the air in the room where he will go back to be should be moistened. An adult should stay awake as long as there are any symptoms of croup, sleep in the same room with the child for 3 nights, and wake herself 2 or 3 hours after the croup is over to make sure that the child is breathing comfortably.

Spasmodic croup without fever sometimes comes back the next night or two. To avoid this, have the child sleep in a room in which the air has been moistened for 3 nights. This form of croup is apparently caused by the combination of a cold infection, a child with a sensitive larynx, and dry air.

 

Severe croup with fever (laryngobronchitis). This is a more severe form of croup which is usually accompanied by a real chest cold. The croupy cough and the tight breathing may come on gradually or suddenly at any time of the day or night. Steaming only partly relieves it. If your child has hoarseness with fever or tightness of breathing with fever, he must be put under the close, continuous supervision of a doctor without delay. If you cannot reach your doctor right away, find another doctor. If a doctor cannot reach you, you should take the child to a hospital.

 

Diphtheria of the larynx is still another cause of croup. There is a gradually increasing hoarseness, cough, difficulty in breathing and moderate fever. There is practically no danger of this form of croup developing if a child has received diphtheria inoculations.

However with any form of croup, a child should be seen promptly by a doctor. The urgency is greatest when hoarseness and tight breathing are persistent.

 

(B.Spock. Baby and Child Care.)