Young Bones, Young Minds: Part One

Young Bones, Young Minds: Part One
When I think back on my childhood I reminisce about fishing, horseback riding, gardening and learning to fly. I often thank my lucky stars that I escaped adolescence alive and without a life altering injury. I used to dream about being a rootin’ tootin’ rodeo cowboy. That was replaced by dreams of being a corporate pilot. As fate would have it, a horsing accident left me with a fractured elbow and a concussion. Fifteen hundred pound animals falling on top of you are dangerous and can cause injury. As I learned to fly, who would have thought you could get hurt soaring the skies and barnstorming the high school band? My senior year in high school, I missed a flight with my best friend / flight instructor that ended in tragedy- a fatal crash killing all on board. The twist and turns of my life led me away from my childhood dreams of rodeos and airplanes. These roads led me to nursing- which on some days is like a rough day at the rodeo, both physically and emotionally. In nursing I have also suffered injuries ranging from needle sticks to an injured shoulder. My point is no matter what we do there are risks of injury. What’s important is we enjoy what we are doing, use a little common sense and protect ourselves the best we can.
Since April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, it’s a good time to think about the risk of physical injuries related to sport activities and ways to prevent them. I support and encourage all children and adolescents to participate in sports and activities that promote regular physical activity. Sports provide numerous physical and social benefits important in developing healthy lifestyles and strong social skills. The downside is there are risks of sports related injuries that range from serious brain and spinal cord injuries to scrapes and bruises. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 30 million children participate in organized sports in this country, and still more participate in informal sports related activities. When less than 2% of these children report to emergency rooms for treatment of injuries these numbers seem low- until your child is the one hurt. A few simple precautions and good common sense will help prevent injuries.
For starters, make sure there is sufficient safety equipment for everyone on the team and it is properly maintained and in working order. Make sure everyone playing knows the proper use of their equipment and uses it- even during practice. According to the CDC 62% of organized sports related injuries occur during practice. Treat injuries with “RICE” REST: Reduce or stop using the injured area for at least 48 hours. ICE: Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time 4 to 8 times per day. COMPRESSION: Ask your healthcare provider about elastic wraps, air cast, or splints to compress an injured ankle, knee, or wrist to reduce swelling. ELEVATION: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart to help decrease swelling. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent pain.
Be heat- smart and play it safe: Take regular fluid breaks every 20 minutes to drink at least 8 ounces of water. Wear light colored breathable clothing and make player substitutions more frequently in the heat. Use misting sprays on the body to keep cool. Know the signs of heat related problems and seek medical attention immediately-confusion, dizziness, fainting, headache, nausea, weakness, dilated pupils, pale and moist or hot dry skin. If any combination of these symptoms are present, or if a child just does not seem right to you, play it safe and seek immediate medical attention.
It is equally important to protect our youth from emotional injuries and abuse. Emotional injuries often go unnoticed but could result in lifelong effects. So, be sure to read part two on this important sports safety topic next week. Important resources for players, coaches, and parents will be included.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com