The purpose of the following is to provide the reader with information regarding treatment of minor medical issues. The purpose is not to provide medical advice and is not meant to circumvent the need for diagnosis and treatment of medical problems by trained medical professionals. Many more serious medical problems may only be capable of diagnosis by these trained professionals.

Head

Facial Injuries

Cause: Facial injuries commonly occur during sporting events and recreational activities. Some of the leading causes of facial injuries are falls and blows to the face. The resulting injuries include cuts, bruises, dislocated jaws, and bone fractures.

Prevention: In order to prevent facial injuries, wear a helmet when you are participating in sports such as football, biking, skating, skateboarding, and skiing. Always wear a mouth protector when you are playing contact sports. Eye injuries can be prevented by wearing eye protection such as sports goggles or face masks when participating in sports including lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, and football.

Treatment: Most minor facial injuries can be treated at home. Stop bleeding by using a clean object to apply pressure to the area. If there is an object in the wound, apply pressure around the area rather than directly to it. If an object is in the eye or if there appears to be trauma around the eye, seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, ice packs can be used to decrease swelling. Make sure to apply ice as soon as possible after the injury occurs. If pain or swelling do not decrease or symptoms worsen, seek medical attention. If you suspect that a bone is broken, do not attempt to move the bone. Apply an ice pack to minimize swelling and seek medical attention immediately.

Imaging: If there is a concern for fracture, radiographs or CT scan may be done.

Headaches

Cause: Sports-related headaches typically are caused by a blow to the head during contact sports. They can also occur when an athlete is hit in the head by a projectile, such as a soccer ball or baseball. Athletes often get headaches when they become dehydrated during a practice or game. More rarely, athletes can develop headaches from too much physical activity (exertional headaches). Exertional headaches are most common in joggers who are susceptible to migraines.

Prevention: Wear protective headgear when participating in contact sports or other activities during which your head is susceptible to being struck, including martial arts, rock climbing, and soccer. Drink water and/or sports drinks before, during, and after exercise. If you consistently experience migraines during exercise, see your doctor for prevention options.

Treatment: The majority of headaches can be treated at home. For mild pain, rest in a dark room with an ice pack on your forehead. For more severe pain, take nonprescription medicine such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Aspirin. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications. If your headache continues or worsens or other symptoms begin, such as visual changes or sleepiness, seek medical attention.

Imaging: CT may be done to evaluate for fracture or intracranial bleeding. If symptoms persist, MRI may be done.

Concussion

Cause: A concussion is caused by head trauma. This trauma can result from actions including players colliding, a fall, or being struck in the head with a ball or other object.

Prevention: Wear protective headgear when participating in contact sports or other activities during which your head is susceptible to being struck, including football, boxing, and wrestling.

Treatment: If you suffer a small bump on the head, simply wrap an ice pack in a washcloth and apply it to the area. Seek medical attention if the pain continues or worsens or other symptoms begin. If you experience any of the following after head trauma, seek immediate medical attention: loss of consciousness, repeating phrases, loss of memory, headache, confusion, nausea or vomiting, or blurry vision.

Imaging: CT may be done to evaluate for fracture or intracranial bleeding. If symptoms persist, MRI may be done.