Minor cuts and scrapes are a part of every summer and for some people the inconvenience and expense of seeking medical care may outweigh health concerns about the injury itself.
"It often isn't easy for the average person to judge the severity of a bite, minor burn or cut so people tend to wait to seek treatment,” said Scot Stepleton, Director of Plymouth’s Wound Healing Center. “Minor scrapes can be treated with supplies from a well-stocked first aid kit, but major injuries or infections need to be seen by a health care professional before they have time to develop into something more severe."
The local experts at both SJRMC’s Wound Healing center’s in Mishawaka and Plymouth, National Healing Corporation Wound Healing Centers, offer the following guidance on when to seek medical treatment.
Sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter remedies, yet can be associated with shock, heat exhaustion and dehydration which need professional attention. Symptoms indicating a serious reaction can include severe painful blisters, nausea, fever, chills, extreme thirst, rapid breathing, faintness and dizziness.
Deep puncture wounds made by nails and knives are especially susceptible to tetanus bacteria commonly found in soil. All wounds should be cleaned immediately. Adults who have not had a tetanus-diphtheria shot in 10 years or children who have not been vaccinated should seek professional attention and receive the vaccine.
People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and vascular disease as well as the elderly and those who have had radiation therapy should closely monitor all wounds for signs of infection or failure to heal, especially those on the lower extremities.
·Seek medical treatment if a burn or wound shows signs of infection including increased pain at the wound site, redness or swelling spreading away from the wound, a foul wound odor, change in color or amount of drainage from the wound, or if you experience fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.
Bites from unknown or wild animals require immediate medical attention. Also seek treatment if the bite is deep or large, on the face, neck or hands or if there is swelling, redness, pain or infection draining from the wound. Animal bites also pose a tetanus threat to those who have not been vaccinated.
·Seek emergency assistance for insect bites if you are experiencing trouble breathing, facial swelling or turning blue, weakness or tightening of the throat. Emergency rooms and wound healing centers equipped with hyperbaric oxygen chambers are needed to treat some serious spider bites, like those of the brown recluse spider.
For more information on treating chronic or infected wounds, contact the Saint Joseph Wound Healing Centers at 574-335-6210 or 574-941-3140.
Welcome to SJRMC, Dr. Piazza!
Dr. Piazza specializes in general surgery as well as upper and lower Endoscopy. He has been in practice for 15 years and will be joining the staff at Marshall County Surgery Associates.
After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1982, Dr. Piazza attended Valparaiso University and then Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition, one of his professional highlights included a teaching stint at Michigan State University’s Department of Surgery, where he worked with an expert office and hospital staff and had the opportunity to touch the lives of many patients.
Dr. Piazza takes a team approach to patient care – for the physician, the patient and the patient’s loves ones.
“We are all on the same team,” he said. “The patient is the coach and the doctor serves as the quarterback, acting in the coach’s best interests.
Most patients are apprehensive when they are coming in for a surgery or procedure, no matter how invasive it may be. While many patients ask about the benefits, risks and possible outcomes, it can be a lot of remember. Dr. Piazza encourages his patients to bring a family member or trusted friend to appointment.
“I also truly believe each person is created in God’s image,” he said. “It’s my personal philosophy to treat every patient with the utmost dignity and respect.”
Dr. Piazza enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, all while trying to keep in touch with his six brothers. In his spare moments he enjoys staying active in his church, photography and downhill and cross-country skiing.
For more information on services offered by Dr. Piazza, contact:
Marshall County Surgery Associates
1919 Lake Ave Suite 102
Plymouth, IN 46563
(574) 941-2967
Where the Grass Really is Greener
What was just 6 months ago a new construction site is now a peaceful escape at the new Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The pond fountains are up and running, walkers are using the new paths around the campus, our historical statuary is in place outside and birds can be heard singing.
But the most noticeable difference? All the green!
Creating new landscaping across the 90 acres of your new hospital was no small feat. And not only is the new campus easy on the eyes – it’s easy on the environment.
The grasses, plants and wildflowers you see out the windows of our hospital are all part of Native Planting, a concept that uses plants that were growing naturally in an area before humans introduced species from distant areas.
In short, the campus was never supposed to look like the rolling fairways of a golf course. The goal was to recreate a prairie environment to resemble what was in place here hundreds of years ago.
While everything has not quite filled in – it takes up to two years for this landscaping to take hold – this concept will benefit our area for years to come.
Water Efficiency
Native plants have a deep root structure. As a result, they generally require little or no irrigation once established. In comparison, turf grass has a root system 2 to 3 inches deep and requires frequent, intensive irrigation.
Rain Water Management
Native plants have a high capacity for rainwater uptake and infiltration, enabling areas to effectively manage storm water flows on sight and keep the water out of the sewer system. Their root system creates a matrix of soil that readily absorbs water deep underground.
Carbon Sequestration & Climate Regulation
Native plants naturally pull carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their living biomass both above and below ground. When their roots die off, this material decomposes below the surface and enriches the soil in the process. Additionally, native ecosystems naturally cool the local climate.
Reduced Toxins
Native plantings resist pests and disease, which limits the need for chemical pesticide or herbicide treatments. The result is a healthy habitat for pollinators, butterflies, birds, amphibians and other wildlife.
Low-Cost Maintenance
Native plant systems generally do not require mowing or regular maintenance, and as a result reduce the energy, manpower and equipment needs associated with maintenance. This will generate tens of thousands of dollars in cost savings and further reduce the carbon footprint of a site.
Give Your Body a Sporting Chance Against Injury this Summer
By Dr. Stephen Simons, Sports Medicine Institute
In my line of work, it’s a common occurrence. People coming into my office with muscle pain, or worse, shortly after declaring that this is it, they’re going to get in shape this summer. Right now – this week, this month – they’re going to reverse what is sometimes months or years of relative inactivity to lose those extra pounds, improve their cardio, or simply scratch that competitive itch.
There are obviously many reasons to embark on athletic endeavors and, more than most, I’m in favor of people getting out and being active. However, as both an athlete and doctor, I advise patients that they need to gradually get into a consistent pattern of exercise. It doesn’t happen overnight ... at least not without first suffering the sensation of pain and/or injury.
If you’re looking to get into jogging or biking – maybe you want to enter that 5k race at the end of the summer – that’s great. Such time-based activities are naturally conducive to beginners because you can start slow and gradually increase your minutes over time. Just make sure to give your muscle tissue the proper time it needs to recover from the stress you apply to it. Perhaps start off by only participating in the activity every other day instead of daily. As a general rule, one shouldn’t increase exercise time by more than 10 percent each week as your body needs time to adapt to a new level of workout.
Weekend Warriors
What if your buddies need another player for a weekly pickup basketball or soccer game? You’re pretty good, need the exercise, and don’t mind getting back out there and playing. Unfortunately, it’s also been a few years.
This is where you really have to be disciplined because the decision of how long to exercise is no longer just about you ... the individual. In other words, if your group normally plays for two hours and you are just getting started with them, it takes a fair amount of discipline to say that you’ll play for 30 minutes the first week and then increase your time next week ... and so on. Peer pressure comes into play and it’s easy to succumb to that – especially if you’re feeling good at the time.
Like everything else, the older you get, the more likely you are to run into some type of problem just jumping into an activity. An 18-year old can get away with a lot more than a 48 year old.
One of the main problems that occur in these situations is DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) – when the connective tissue gets strained and produces subtle swelling in the muscle. That is manifested through muscle soreness 24 to 48 hours later. People often call it a ‘good hurt’ but there’s not much good in feeling that way. When suffering from DOMS, a little muscle movement (i.e. stretching the muscle) is advisable because it helps massage that interstitial fluid that results from a subtle vascular leak at the point of the injury.
Tendonitis and bone stress injuries are also potential risks. However, unlike DOMS, symptoms of these injuries generally occur following repeated heavy activity over time. Symptoms of such injuries involve continuing achiness in a narrowly focused area of the body – even while at rest. Finally, muscle strains become more common in 40 and 50 year-old athletes as the result of their bodies becoming stiffer with age.
Kid Concerns
What about our children? What are their risks associated with participation in summer sports and other activities? For those aged around 9 to 16 – before skeletal maturity – the issue is dealing with their open growth plates. Because they are still growing, it’s easy for kids to have heel pain, knee pain, ‘little leaguers elbow’ – all those problems that result from overuse of the growth plates.
Such injuries usually occur during a growth spurt – about the time you notice your son or daughter has already outgrown the pair of pants you bought them four months ago. That’s when they are more susceptible to the growth plate injuries.
Typically, I see heel pain at younger ages (10 to 12 years of age) and knee pain two to three years later. And in any sport where there is constant throwing, there are always potential growth plate problems in the elbow or shoulder.
The key here is that, just because they are kids – young and strong – they are not impervious to muscle and bone injury. In fact, because of the growth plate issues, at times they are more prone to injury than adults.
Therefore, kids need to make sure they are properly stretched before exertion and that they keep their muscles loose and warm during the game to keep them pliable. We’ve all seen the little league outfielder standing out there an entire game and then – all of a sudden in the seven inning – having to make a long throw to home plate. Not a good situation for the arm, shoulder or elbow.
Summer is a special time of year for most people – regardless if they are looking to get out on the court, field or diamond again, or simply trying to look a little better for the beach. Just keep in mind that you may find your way back inside on the couch quicker than you think if you try to make it all happen overnight.
More Info
Dr. Stephen M. Simons is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. An avid runner, Dr. Simons also served as a US Olympic Team Physician in 2004. He can be reached at the Sports Medicine Institute at 611 E. Douglas in Mishawaka at (574) 335-6214.
In my line of work, it’s a common occurrence. People coming into my office with muscle pain, or worse, shortly after declaring that this is it, they’re going to get in shape this summer. Right now – this week, this month – they’re going to reverse what is sometimes months or years of relative inactivity to lose those extra pounds, improve their cardio, or simply scratch that competitive itch.
There are obviously many reasons to embark on athletic endeavors and, more than most, I’m in favor of people getting out and being active. However, as both an athlete and doctor, I advise patients that they need to gradually get into a consistent pattern of exercise. It doesn’t happen overnight ... at least not without first suffering the sensation of pain and/or injury.
If you’re looking to get into jogging or biking – maybe you want to enter that 5k race at the end of the summer – that’s great. Such time-based activities are naturally conducive to beginners because you can start slow and gradually increase your minutes over time. Just make sure to give your muscle tissue the proper time it needs to recover from the stress you apply to it. Perhaps start off by only participating in the activity every other day instead of daily. As a general rule, one shouldn’t increase exercise time by more than 10 percent each week as your body needs time to adapt to a new level of workout.
Weekend Warriors
What if your buddies need another player for a weekly pickup basketball or soccer game? You’re pretty good, need the exercise, and don’t mind getting back out there and playing. Unfortunately, it’s also been a few years.
This is where you really have to be disciplined because the decision of how long to exercise is no longer just about you ... the individual. In other words, if your group normally plays for two hours and you are just getting started with them, it takes a fair amount of discipline to say that you’ll play for 30 minutes the first week and then increase your time next week ... and so on. Peer pressure comes into play and it’s easy to succumb to that – especially if you’re feeling good at the time.
Like everything else, the older you get, the more likely you are to run into some type of problem just jumping into an activity. An 18-year old can get away with a lot more than a 48 year old.
One of the main problems that occur in these situations is DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) – when the connective tissue gets strained and produces subtle swelling in the muscle. That is manifested through muscle soreness 24 to 48 hours later. People often call it a ‘good hurt’ but there’s not much good in feeling that way. When suffering from DOMS, a little muscle movement (i.e. stretching the muscle) is advisable because it helps massage that interstitial fluid that results from a subtle vascular leak at the point of the injury.
Tendonitis and bone stress injuries are also potential risks. However, unlike DOMS, symptoms of these injuries generally occur following repeated heavy activity over time. Symptoms of such injuries involve continuing achiness in a narrowly focused area of the body – even while at rest. Finally, muscle strains become more common in 40 and 50 year-old athletes as the result of their bodies becoming stiffer with age.
Kid Concerns
What about our children? What are their risks associated with participation in summer sports and other activities? For those aged around 9 to 16 – before skeletal maturity – the issue is dealing with their open growth plates. Because they are still growing, it’s easy for kids to have heel pain, knee pain, ‘little leaguers elbow’ – all those problems that result from overuse of the growth plates.
Such injuries usually occur during a growth spurt – about the time you notice your son or daughter has already outgrown the pair of pants you bought them four months ago. That’s when they are more susceptible to the growth plate injuries.
Typically, I see heel pain at younger ages (10 to 12 years of age) and knee pain two to three years later. And in any sport where there is constant throwing, there are always potential growth plate problems in the elbow or shoulder.
The key here is that, just because they are kids – young and strong – they are not impervious to muscle and bone injury. In fact, because of the growth plate issues, at times they are more prone to injury than adults.
Therefore, kids need to make sure they are properly stretched before exertion and that they keep their muscles loose and warm during the game to keep them pliable. We’ve all seen the little league outfielder standing out there an entire game and then – all of a sudden in the seven inning – having to make a long throw to home plate. Not a good situation for the arm, shoulder or elbow.
Summer is a special time of year for most people – regardless if they are looking to get out on the court, field or diamond again, or simply trying to look a little better for the beach. Just keep in mind that you may find your way back inside on the couch quicker than you think if you try to make it all happen overnight.
More Info
Dr. Stephen M. Simons is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. An avid runner, Dr. Simons also served as a US Olympic Team Physician in 2004. He can be reached at the Sports Medicine Institute at 611 E. Douglas in Mishawaka at (574) 335-6214.
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