Sunday, January 27, 2013

Common Health Issues for Active People

By Jancie Rodgers


Being active is part of a healthy lifestyle. However, in some cases, when we push our bodies too far, injury can occur. These injuries are often called sports injuries because of the situations in which they occur. Sports injuries can result from both traumatic impact and long term wear and tear. Doctors advise anyone who engages in physical activity, wear all appropriate safety equipment and engage in proper warm up and cool down activities.

There are several ways to guard against sports injuries but sometimes, no matter what precautions your take, injuries still occur. The most common injuries, while painful, can usually be cured with basic medical treatment. Some of the more severe injuries can require surgery or other orthopedic treatments. Here is a look at the top three most common sports injuries.

Three common likely injuries for athletes

Any sport or physical activity opens you up to the possibility of spraining your ankle. This type of injury is easily treatable but should always be taken seriously. Most sprains will require that you stabilize your ankle. This can be done by wearing a brace or wrapping it in an ace bandage. The very first action you need to take is to reduce the swelling so that the damage can be evaluated. Ice packs and anti-inflammatory drugs are the best way to control swelling.

Shin splints can cause extreme pain for runners. When you are running long distances the stress on your shins can cause many problems for the lower part of your legs. If you are experiencing extreme pain in your shins, you may have shin splints. If this problem develops you will need to rest your legs to allow the muscles and bones to heal. If you are experiencing any swelling, follow the rice rule, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You may also need to undergo physical therapy and add arch support in to your shoes.

One of the most dreaded common sports injuries that many athletes face is a torn ACL. This ligament in your knee is vital to proper knee function. If it becomes torn or damaged, you should immediately ice your knee to reduce the swelling and contact an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate your injury. If you are lucky, you will be able to undergo physical therapy to help the ligament heal. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the ligament.




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