On muscle cramps
At irregular intervals, seemingly out of the blue, Jack gets a muscle cramp that is a killer. This, despite a regular program of aerobic exercises. You might ask: Where do these attacks come from, and what are the possible avenues of prevention available?

Muscle cramps, sometimes called spasms, can bother even the most fit of athletes. The causes are varied and in many cases not at all well understood. Some of the possibilities include low sugar in the blood, poor conditioning, pushing too hard (overexertion), and an imbalance in the level of electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chlorides, among others) in the blood. Fatigue may also be a contributing factor, and most authorities agree that fluid loss and dehydration are important elements in the psychology of muscle cramps.

While it is impossible to drink enough fluid during active competition, small sips of water can be of great help in both preventing and overcoming muscle spasms.

The most common treatment consists of stretching the affected muscle and holding that position until the cramp subsides. Some sports medicine consultants also apply pressure to the relaxed muscle to overcome a spasm, a bit like acupressure. Recently, eating bananas to supply potassium has become a favorite tactic of some professionals.

On Burns
George works with an older man in garage. The other day, he burned his arm on a hot exhaust pipe. After uttering a few unprintable words, he reached for an emptied can of motor oil and used the remaining drops to rub into his arm. He claims this is a proven treatment, one he has used successfully for years.

This is just one of the many examples of tales of treatment that can lead to rather serious and unwanted results.

If George’s co-worker has been successful for years, he has also been remarkably lucky. A doctor said that his “burn treatment” does not meet with the requirements of sterility that apply to other types of medications that may be used in promoting the healing that is so important after a minor burn.

A burn, even a minor one, will damage tissue and in many cases actually kill the cells. This dead (necrotic) tissue makes a perfect environment for growth of bacteria (which are always present on the skin), thus, producing infections that may be extensive, serious and sometimes life-threatening.

The proper treatment for burns is to first apply cold, wet compresses or immerse the burn in ice water. This can retard the process of cell injury. Then a sterile burn cream may be applied to reduce swelling and pain. If extensive blisters develop, or skin has been burned away, professional treatment is indicated to remove dead tissue and provide the right kind of dressing. Auto oil belongs in crankcases, not on people.

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