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 Safety |
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Thursday, September 19
Treating Nosebleeds - Epistaxis
Most spontaneous nosebleeds or traumatic nosebleeds in people who have no underlying coagulopathy (blood clotting dysfunction) stop on their own. However, those that continue for minutes can be controlled by:
1. Applying ice to the bridge of the nose.
2. Applying ice to back of neck simultaneously.
3. Applying gentle pressure to bridge of nose limiting blood flow.
4. Have the patient sit up with head forward - not tilting back. Tilting back can cause aspiration or ingestiong and subsequent nausea.
5. Placing gauze between upper lip and gum.
If after a few minutes, the bleeding does not stop, the next treatment should be performed by a physician. The treat performed is still somehwat non invasive, but has to be performed by a physician. Ex: using vasoconstrictors, anterior nasal packs, nasal tampon, etc.
Local causes of Epitaxis include:
- Trauma
- Chronic nose picking
- Surgical procedures
- Barotrauma (from flying or scuba diving, etc.)
- Structural/Septal deformities
- Allergies
- Toxic chemicals
- Benign or malignant tumors
- Aneurysm of Cartoid artery
Systemic causes include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Impaired clotting factors
- Osler-Weber-Rednu disease
- Alcohol abuse
- Systemic toxic agents like heavy metals
- Some infectious diseases
- Cardiovascular conditions with increased intravascular resistance.
If your child experiences repeated/reoccuring nosebleeds, please consult your physician for an exam.
Info taken from Nursing.about.com
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Thursday, August 15
Prevention: Avoid Mosquito Bites
Human illness from West Nile virus is rare, even in areas where the virus has been reported. The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is low.
You can further reduce your chances of becoming ill by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. To avoid mosquito bites:
*Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you're outdoors. For more information, see Using Insect Repellent Safely from the EPA.
*Avoid applying repellent to children less than 2 years old. Use care in applying repellent to small children, and don't put repellent on their hands because it may get into their mouth or eyes and cause irritation.
*Read and follow the product directions whenever you use insect repellent.
*Wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants treated with repellent and stay indoors during peak mosquito feeding hours (dusk until dawn) to further reduce your risk.
*Limit the number of places available for mosquitos to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources from around your home.
For more information, please visit the CDC (Center for Disease Control) homepage.
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Equipment..............you may want more.
Safety is our outmost concern, especially when it comes to football. The coaches emphasize to the players the necessity for self control, sportsmanship, and fair play. This being said, proper equipment and proper fitting is vital to the safety of every player. Remember, the coaches have been doing this for quite a while. They are knowledgable in regards to how certain equipment should fit your child. The coaches will listen to your concerns, however, your child's best interest is their ultimate concern. It is imperative that your child remember to where all the equipment that is handed to him at the beginning of the year. If you still have concerns pertaining to your child's safety, these specialty items are a few recommended additions:
Neck Roll
This device helps protect against serious neck injury. It prevents the head from being able to roll back. The neck roll is usually worn by lineman and linebackers. The product has many different styles and makers. This product is highly recommended for interior players. You can find this product at any local sporting good store (Allens, Sports Authority, Gulfshore etc....)
Rib Guard
This device helps protect the ribs and midsection of the player. The product is most commonly found on players that are normally hit in the stomach, rib, and lower back area. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers benefit the most from wearing this type of equipment. You can find rib protectors at any local sporting good store (Allens, Sports Authority, Gulfshore etc....)
Lineman Gloves
This product helps protect the many bones within the hand. Lineman often engage in contact with other players in close proximity to one another. More often than not, the player's hand receives the brunt of the punishment. This product helps protect against the many bruises often felt by lineman. Lineman gloves are harder to come by. You may check with a local sporting goods store, however, you may have to go on-line or utilize a football catalog to purchase. (picture unavailable)
Specialty Masks
The facemasks that the Northeast Bandits provide are often adequate to provide the ultimate protection for your child. Some children request additional protection by using specialty masks. These masks often have additional bars that help protect the oral and visual area of the head. Most often, players enjoy the aesthetic appeal of the specialty mask. You can find these products at any local sporting good store, or on-line.
Hard Cup Chin Strap
If you are concerned that your child's chin is vulnerable to injury, you may want to inquire about hard cup chin straps. It provides a hard protective cup that fends off serious injury to ones chin. Again, this product can be found at any local sporting good store.
Should you have any specific questions or concerns, please see the equipment manager or your child's head coach.
Thank you!!
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