Injury Prevention & Treatment

3 Tips to Avoid the ER Due to Common Mistakes at The Gym

As 2017 comes to a close, it’s only natural that we’re starting to think about getting fitter, healthier, more mindful, etc. in the New Year. But while many of us are quick to double down on our workouts in an effort to burn off all those holiday calories, what we often fail to consider is… Continue reading 3 Tips to Avoid the ER Due to Common Mistakes at The Gym

“My Back Is Killing Me”: What to Do

Back pain affects millions of adults – in any three-month period, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about one in four U.S. adults has at least one day of back pain, mostly in the lower back. But while it’s a common problem, it doesn’t have a simple answer. The NIH says it could… Continue reading “My Back Is Killing Me”: What to Do

Stuck Inside? Exercises to Do at Home

The snowy season is upon us – but you can still exercise even in the middle of a blizzard! Here, from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health, are some at-home exercises for when you’re snowbound. (As always, check with your doctor before beginning or changing any exercise program.) Dance to music on… Continue reading Stuck Inside? Exercises to Do at Home

Bike Helmets Reduce Severity of Injuries

If you’re heading out for a bracing fall bike ride, don’t forget to wear a helmet. Helmeted bicycle riders have a 58 percent reduced odds of severe traumatic brain injury after an accident compared to their non-helmeted counterparts, according to researchers from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Their findings were presented in October during the… Continue reading Bike Helmets Reduce Severity of Injuries

Bicycle Injuries and Older Riders

In recent years, the incidence of bicycle-related injuries has more than doubled, according to a new study led by researchers from UC San Francisco. The researchers used a national injury surveillance database to study trends in bicycle injuries from 1998 to 2013. They found that the rate of hospital admissions associated with bicycle injuries more… Continue reading Bicycle Injuries and Older Riders

The Dangers of Texting While Walking

Texting while walking and being cognitively distracted may significantly affect the way a person walks, resulting in a more cautious gait, according to a study led by Dr. Conrad Earnest of Texas A&M University and colleagues from the University of Bath, UK and published July 29th 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE A release… Continue reading The Dangers of Texting While Walking

Taking Care of Sprains and Strains

Editor’s note: Sprains and strains are common injuries that can cause a surprising amount of pain and harm. Here, from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, is what you need to know about each condition: What Is the Difference Between a Sprain and a… Continue reading Taking Care of Sprains and Strains

Older Athletes Return to Sports After Rotator Cuff Repair

Outcomes following the arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears in older athletes appears to be successful a majority of the time, according to research presented on July 11th 2015 at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine patients were included in the study with a mean age of… Continue reading Older Athletes Return to Sports After Rotator Cuff Repair

Tips for Cell Phone Courtesy Month, July 2015

The cell phone is one of the greatest inventions of our time, but as the cell phone has evolved into the smartphone, it’s also one of the greatest distractions. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, an event founded by author and etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore in 2002 with the intent of making cell phone… Continue reading Tips for Cell Phone Courtesy Month, July 2015

Fireworks Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

Fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. Carol Cunningham, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Akron General Health System in Ohio urges using common sense when it comes to handling fireworks to celebrate our country’s birthday. On average, about 200 people every day go to the emergency department with fireworks-related injuries… Continue reading Fireworks Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

Boating Safety Tips for Summer

Summer is coming, and so is the boating season. Whether you’re taking to the water in a canoe, kayak, or motorboat, you should keep in mind some basic safety tips. Here, from the experts at the Mayo Clinic, is what you need to know to stay safe and happy on the water: Leave the… Continue reading Boating Safety Tips for Summer

A Lifesaving Car Alarm

Fatigued drivers may someday get lifesaving help from an in-car alarm that sounds when sensors detect an imminent crash, researchers say. The researchers’ findings were published in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics. Psychologist Carryl Baldwin of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and colleagues there and at the Sentara Norfolk General Sleep… Continue reading A Lifesaving Car Alarm

Cold Comfort: Snow Shoveling Tips

Here are some tips for staying safe and healthy while fighting the elements and shoveling the driveway and walkways. Keep yourself hydrated. You may be surprised to know that your body uses more water in winter than in the summer. That’s because it takes a lot of energy to keep warm, and the heat generated… Continue reading Cold Comfort: Snow Shoveling Tips

Watch Out for Hypothermia: The “Indoor Cold”

Almost everyone knows about winter dangers for older people such as broken bones from falls on ice or breathing problems caused by cold air. But not everyone knows that cold weather can also lower the temperature inside your body. This drop in body temperature is called hypothermia, and it can be deadly if not treated… Continue reading Watch Out for Hypothermia: The “Indoor Cold”

Don’t Get Bitten by Frostbite

When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Frostbite occurs when the skin – and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin – freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on how long and how frozen the tissue, frostbite can result in severe, sometimes permanent, damage.… Continue reading Don’t Get Bitten by Frostbite

Advice from Mayo: How to Shovel Safely

Shoveling snow can be good exercise, but it’s been linked to heart attacks as well. If you, like millions of other people, plan to be shoveling this winter, you should check with your doctor first – and once you’ve gotten the OK, follow these smart strategies from the Mayo Clinic Health System: • If you… Continue reading Advice from Mayo: How to Shovel Safely