Injury Self-management Program

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Injury Self-management Program

Nutrient Associations Vitamins, Minerals, Foods, and some Herbal Applications Lifestyle Changes Daily changes in lifestyle activities and exercise Treating an Injury Medical Therapies and Drugs and the Side Effects and Risks of Certain Drugs Sources: Research References/Bibliography	Knowledge gives a person many options for managing injuries and they can then personally take charge of the effect this injury is having on their life.
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Nutrient
Associations

Product Suggestion

Vitamins:
Vitamin A
Enhances immunity and aids in protein utilization. Vitamin A is required for cell growth and is important for the generation of damaged tissues, connective tissue, and new blood vessels.
Vitamin C
An antioxidant required for tissue growth and repair. Surgery depletes vitamin C stores and vitamin C deficiency slows wound healing since this vitamin is necessary to produce wound-healing collagen and elastin as well as to maintain a healthy immune system.
Vitamin B
All the B vitamins are important during stressful situations.
Vitamin B5
The most important anti-stress vitamin. Speeds up wound healing, increases protein synthesis, and multiplies the number of cells available at the wound site.
Vitamin E
A free radical scavenger. Vitamin E is especially helpful for people who have had heart surgery since it may stop the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries and can destroy free radicals that might damage the hearts cells.

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Minerals: Calcium Needed for repair of connective tissue. Potassium Vital for tissue repair. Magnesium Very important for the skeletal system. Copper Enhances bone healing and tissue regeneration. Zinc Important in tissue repair. Zinc is necessary for the production of connective tissue. It also interacts with vitamin A making this vitamin available for the body to use as well as working to boost the immune system. Zinc deficiency is especially prevalent in those who have lost a lot of bodily fluids or weight or who have had frequent infections.
Amino Acids: Arginine Increases nitrogen retention, body weight, and production of reparative collagen all of which are essential following surgery. Stimulates the immune system and wound healing and protects against infection. Glutamine Increases cell proliferation. Is lost during the body's initial response to an injury.
Essential Fatty Acids: EFA's Promotes cellular and cardiovascular health; improves stamina and speeds recovery.
Accessory Nutrients Grape Seed Extract A powerful anti-inflammatory. Aloe Vera Enhances general cell growth and the immune system. Contains up to 200 different beneficial substances. Reduces inflammation and pain, promotes healing, and stops infections. Causes cells to divide and multiply, stimulates the growth of white blood cells, enhances cell wall permeability.

EAT AND DRINK YOUR VEGETABLES: Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that can help speed your recovery from an injury.

GET PLENTY OF FIBER AFTER SURGERY: Prunes, prune juice, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can help you move your bowels after surgery and let you avoid constipation.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER: Unless fluids have been restricted, water can help you avoid dehydration and can flush out your bladder and bowels, helping to prevent a urinary tract infection which may occur if you've had a urinary catheter.

EAT LIGHT AND OFTEN: It's easier and healthier to eat five or six small meals a day instead of three large ones. Eating smaller, healthier meals can provide nutrients necessary for healing after surgery or after an injury.

Lifestyle Changes

USE HOT AND COLD TREATMENTS TO REDUCE SWELLING: For muscle damage, you can buy heating pads and wrap the affected area in the pad on medium heat three or more times a day for a few hours to reduce and treat swelling and injury.

USE APPROPRIATE SAFETY GEAR: Have and use car seats, bicycle helmets, proper athletic padding and gear, etc. as needed and as required.

WARM UP: To reduce the risk of injury, a proper warm up is essential before any type of exercise.

AVOID ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ABOVE YOUR LEVEL OF ACTIVITY: Do not participate in physically demanding activities if you are not in good enough physical condition to handle such exercise. If you want to do such an activity you should work up to it gradually through the proper exercises and conditioning. Avoid dangerous activities.

Treating an Injury

It is helpful and in some cases life-saving to have at least a general knowledge of first aid. Taking a course in first aid or keeping a good first aid reference guide handy can be essential in treating an injury. The following are basic guidelines for treating minor injuries. Major injuries should receive medical attention as soon as possible.

Remove Dead Tissue and Cleanse the Wound: Normal saline solution is the only acceptable wound-cleansing solution since other chemicals may cause further damage to the injury.

Maintain a Moist Environment: Healing wounds exude a fluid filled with cells, enzymes, and hormones necessary to stimulate further healing. The wound can be keep moist so that this fluid will not dry up and so that dressings will not stick to forming tissue and damage it when removed is the dressings are moistened with normal saline solution.

Prevent Further Injury: Find out what caused the wound and avoid that activity or thing.

Provide Materials for Healing: Proteins (necessary for all stages of healing), fats and carbohydrates (for the extra energy needed to heal), water (to replace lost fluids), and vitamins and minerals (to assist in various functions of healing) are needed for proper and timely recovery.