Josyann Abisaab » preventing falls http://www.josyannabisaab.com Dr. Josyann Abisaab - ER Physician Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:58:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Avoiding the ER: Wrist Fractures http://www.josyannabisaab.com/avoiding-the-er-wrist-fractures/ http://www.josyannabisaab.com/avoiding-the-er-wrist-fractures/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:24:50 +0000 admin http://www.josyannabisaab.com/?p=216 Avoiding the ER: Wrist Fractures is a post from: Josyann Abisaab

]]> ER doctors such as Dr. Josyann Abisaab often encounter unpleasant, remarkably painful and slow-healing injuries. One of the most common is a wrist or elbow fracture. People occasionally lose their balance or are knocked over while participating in a physical activity like skiing or mountain biking. Instinctually, they put out a hand or two to break their fall. This can easily result in a major gash or fracture which could take weeks or even months to heal properly. Occasionally physical therapy is needed, too. Sometimes the hand goes behind the body to break a backwards fall, which can result in an elbow injury as well.

There are a few things that can be done in advance to prevent such injuries:

1.       Train your instincts. Practice falling on a safer surface, and train yourself to react by tucking in your chin and rolling with the initial impact. If you can, try to fall on the back of your shoulder as this is a strong area of your body.

2.       Practice regaining your balance in a quick manner. Use a bike, or think of other ways to flex your balance muscles.

3.       It is important to wear a helmet and wrist guards. They may seem foolish, but they really can make a significant difference in a fall.

Avoiding the ER: Wrist Fractures is a post from: Josyann Abisaab

]]> http://www.josyannabisaab.com/avoiding-the-er-wrist-fractures/feed/ 0 Josyann Abisaab on Protecting Your Children from Falls http://www.josyannabisaab.com/josyann-abisaab-on-protecting-your-children-from-falls/ http://www.josyannabisaab.com/josyann-abisaab-on-protecting-your-children-from-falls/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 08:03:36 +0000 admin http://www.josyannabisaab.com/?p=112 Josyann Abisaab on Protecting Your Children from Falls is a post from: Josyann Abisaab

]]> One of the main reasons that children end up in the E.R. is because of falls. The more precautions you take in the home, the less likely it will be that you’ll experience a dangerous fall. For very small children, this means never leaving a child unattended on the bed, sofa or changing table.

Advice on Small Children & Falls with Josyann Abisaab

Once your child is between 6 and 12 months old, make sure that all furniture is away from windows so that they can’t climb up on the furniture and fall out of the window. Put window guardrails on all second-story windows and above. Obviously, one of the most tragic things that emergency room doctors like Josyann Abisaab see is children who have fallen from windows in the home. Make sure to put safety gates at the top and bottom of each staircase.

Older Children & Falls Advice with Josyann Abisaab

Finally, for slightly older children, make sure to keep the stairways clear so that no one trips over toys, clothing and other items. Also place rubber pads under any loose rugs so that they don’t slide across the floor and cause accidents.

Josyann Abisaab on Protecting Your Children from Falls is a post from: Josyann Abisaab

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