Safety/injury prevention Archive

There's no time to lose when someone suffers a burn. For a minor burn on a small area of skin, run cool water over it for 20 minutes to help limit damage, and then apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic cream and cover the burn with a bandage. If a blister develops, dab antibacterial cream on it, cover it with a bandage, and get to a doctor as soon as possible. Second-degree burns that are large or involve the face, hands, feet, or genitals, and all third-degree burns, warrant a call to 911.

Mud runs are outdoor team events that take the form of an obstacle-course competition and promise plenty of good, clean (dirt-covered) fun for participants. Competing in a mud race is physically challenging, but can deliver many health benefits for those who  train for them.

If you work out at a gym, you may notice warnings on the exercise equipment. For most of us, these warnings should not be cause for alarm, although people with certain health conditions should be cautious about exercising.

Tramadol is a painkiller used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Learn more about this medication and if it might be right for you.

Performing regular biceps curls can build stronger biceps muscles and help older men with lifting, carrying, and holding heavy objects.

Dr. Alan Poisner, 88, is one of the country's most decorated master-level walkers. He holds several National Senior Games records. A medical researcher, he also has a long career exploring the physiology of walking, especially among older adults. Here, he shares his decades-long advice for beginner and novice walkers, from how to stay motivated to the best ways to elevate one's workouts.

Some supplements can interfere with lab tests to diagnose or monitor health conditions, which can lead to life-threatening misdiagnoses or unnecessary additional testing. Biotin (vitamin B₇) can skew results from a blood test to diagnose heart attack. Other problematic supplements include vitamin C, which can interfere with blood sugar readings and stool tests; calcium, which can make bones appear denser than they are on bone density scans; and creatine, which can lead to falsely high readings of creatinine, a marker for kidney disease.

An estimated 2.5 million Americans have implanted heart devices, which can be affected by magnetic or electrical interference from electric vehicle charging stations, induction cooktop stoves, and smaller gadgets such as smartphones and wireless earbuds. Magnetic energy can cause pacemakers to revert to a preset mode that may be faster or slower than the programmed heart rate. Electrical interference can cause a pacemaker or implanted cardioverter defibrillator to mistakenly stop functioning or deliver an unneeded shock.

Age-related muscle loss is a natural part of getting older. But muscle loss can occur faster after an injury, illness, or any prolonged period of inactivity, leading to muscle atrophy. The consequences can mean overall weakness, poor balance, and even frailty. The good news is that it's possible to rebuild lost muscle through a comprehensive program that includes physical therapy, strength training, cardio, flexibility, and a nutrition plan that includes more protein and calories.