With the onset of autumn, the number of people who have gone to trauma centers with bruises, fractures and even craniocerebral trauma increases 2-3 times. How not to fall victim to autumn injuries tells Yuri Glazkov, doctor of joints, a leading specialist in the field of sports traumatology.
Car driving
It often rains in autumn, and in the morning the road is often slippery due to ice. Fog limits the visibility of drivers. The braking distance can be quite long, because not everyone has changed their shoes to winter tires. All this leads to road traffic injuries. In autumn, when crossing the road, you need to be very careful. Do not go out onto the roadway once again if you can walk along the sidewalk. No need to run across the road 10 meters from the crossing. Even walking along the crossing, it is worth looking around more carefully than in summer, because many drivers ignore pedestrians, and someone, for the reasons described above, may simply not have time to brake.
Fall
In the autumn due to rain, and at the end of the season due to the first snow it becomes slippery, so the number of injuries from falls increases. Everyone falls: those who go to work, went for a run, or simply decided to visit a neighbor. The risk of injury increases with the wrong choice of footwear. If in winter everyone tries to put on shoes or boots with grooved soles, then in autumn many underestimate external factors. The weather is already almost wintry, and the shoes remain light, slippery and not always comfortable. In the morning, crowds of people run to work. But the morning is just the time when frosty weather and light ice can be observed. Despite this, many continue to wear high-heeled shoes or ankle boots (or wear sneakers with a slippery sole). If at the same time a woman is in a hurry, tries to walk quickly, the risk of falling increases.
Sport
At the end of autumn, people begin to engage in winter sports in those regions where by this time snow falls and ice appears (or, yearning for winter, they strive to go where snow and ice are artificial). Skiing, skating and other entertainment is fun but dangerous. These sports are among the most traumatic because of the risk of bruises and fractures.
Cold
The closer the end of autumn is, the more often frostbite and chills occur. Closer to winter, their share in the total number of injuries reaches 15%. To get chills of a limb, in fact, frost is not needed - a temperature of +4 degrees and a little lower is enough. This is also facilitated by high air humidity, which is often observed in autumn. Frostbite should be treated as soon as possible. The limb should be placed in a warm place, but warming should be gradual. With mild frostbite, you can rub an arm or leg with a woolen cloth, drink hot tea. Contrary to popular misconception, you cannot rub a frostbitten part of the body with snow - it will not bring any benefit.
Alcohol
Oddly enough, alcohol is one of the leading factors in autumn injuries: it is present in one amount or another in the blood of 30% of patients admitted to emergency rooms. Alcohol causes a wide variety of injuries. They come as a result of falls, frostbite, car accidents, and poor coordination is to blame. Even if a person has drunk "just a little" and does not feel drunk, he is still unable to fully maintain balance, and his attention is scattered.
What to do in order not to end up in an emergency room?
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles.
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If you walk in the dark, take a flashlight with you (it's better not to use a flashlight on your phone).
- Cross the road carefully - do not expect drivers to see you well and / or always obey traffic rules.
- Do not rush on ice, walk slowly and carefully. Better to be late for work than to be in the hospital.
- Going down the stairs or leaving the transport, lift the floors of a raincoat, coat or fur coat.
- In late autumn, do not go under roofs, where there may already be icicles.
- If a fall is unavoidable, tense your muscles and try to fall on your side.
- If you suddenly fall down the stairs, cover your head with your hands.
If you get injured, you should immediately consult a traumatologist, especially if you observe severe swelling, pain, unnatural position of the limb: old fractures and dislocations are difficult to treat. You shouldn't sit at home and wait for the misplaced bones to heal incorrectly.
Expert:
Yuri Glazkov
Photo: Getty Images
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