At this time of year, a great deal of my time is spent watching my favorite sport – football. Whether I’m spending a Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field or standing on the sidelines of my son’s high school team, I watch the game with passion. And some level of trepidation, because in the back of my mind is the acknowledgment that injury is a part of this game.
Recent events bring this thought to the fore. Kevin Everett, a tight end for the Buffalo Bills, sustained a career ending injury, when he tackled a Denver Bronco on a kickoff return. It was obvious during review of the film that his body had sustained a critical injury.
Medical reports have revealed that Everett sustained a fracture and dislocation of two cervical, or neck, vertebrae. The spinal cord was affected, but not severed. He was taken to a Buffalo Medical Center and emergency surgery was performed to stabilize the broken bones and relieve pressure on the spinal cord. At present, medical reports are guarded, but optimistic.
Spinal cord injuries are the most serious injuries that occur in football, so let’s examine this issue further.
The peak summer months in the Midwest involve a great deal of outdoor activities, including camping and grilling. As a result, there is an increase in visits to the Emergency Department for the evaluation and treatment of burns. These burns may include sunburns, thermal burns from grill flash back, or burns from falling into a campfire.
In the United States, over 1 million people experience a burn in one form or another. This results in over 500,000 visits to the Emergency Department and about 45,000 hospital admissions. Unfortunately, about 10 percent of those admitted to the hospital will die from causes related to the burns. The cause of death is secondary to overwhelming infection that develops in the post burn period or from inhalation injuries that result in pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Take shelter from lightning - one strike is all it takes.
Lightning, a very dangerous natural hazard is also a dangerous health hazard, which must be taken seriously. Injuries caused by a lightning strike may occur in a matter of seconds and without warning. These strikes can also easily contribute to permanent disability or death. Thus, when the threat of a thunderstorm is eminent, safe covering should be sought immediately.
Let’s take a closer look at lightning safety and the medical issues that can arise from a strike.
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Did you know that the month of November is when the greatest amount of deer/car accidents occurs? There aren’t many easy ways to prevent hitting a deer that has decided to make a state highway its jogging track, but there is one thing we can do to prevent injury to ourselves. Buckle up! Don’t think that serious injuries happen just on the highway where we are warned by repeated postings of “Fasten Your Seatbelt” signs. A fatal accident can happen when you simply get in your car to head to the post office or grocery story.
It’s simple. Just one click can save your life or save you a life of debilitating injuries. Think of it this way: it will take you longer to read the following news article than it would to fasten your seatbelt. Take the time and learn what you are saving.
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