WNKY Health Reports: Springtime Injuries

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Temperatures are climbing and days are getting longer, and that means time to work on the house, the yard and get out and play ball.

That also means an increase in injuries.

Dr. Azer, an emergency room physician at Tristar Greenview ER on Lovers Lane in Bowling Green, says he sees injuries, such as cuts after people work in their yards, and older adults often have cuts and bruising after falling. That can be an even bigger problem if they take certain medications like blood thinners since the bleeding can be worse. 

He suggests wearing eye protection to protect your eyes from being injured by debris flying through the air. He also says people participating in sports should wear gloves or braces, such as on the knee, to help stabilize the joints and prevent them from being injured.

But, if you find yourself injured and you’re:

• Having trouble stopping the bleeding- after applying pressure for more than 5 minutes or if the bleeding is excessive over less than 5 minutes.
• If the pain is intense or is getting worse over time, especially after 2-3 days of being injured
• If the swelling is getting worse instead of better, again, after 2-3 days from when you were injured

… then it’s time to let a healthcare provider evaluate your injury since it could be serious.