Each year during the spring, summer, and fall, local residents and out-of-state tourists tend to flock to North Carolina’s many eye-catching outdoor attractions. From the notably scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the challenging trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina has plenty to offer to folks looking to become one with nature.
Unfortunately, the activity-friendly atmosphere of North Carolina tends to lend to many an outdoor injury over the course of each respective season. Dr. Scott Murkin is a physician at Doctors Express, a High Point, North Carolina urgent care facility that specializes in everything from work-related injuries to sudden illnesses, and according to him, outdoor injuries can be rather common throughout the state once the warm weather months kick in.
So what types of outdoor injuries are typical for North Carolina? In Dr. Murkin’s experience, sometimes all it takes is an encounter with a local critter to come away needing medical attention. Insect stings can cause adverse reactions in those with sensitive systems and skin, and in some cases, all it takes is the wrong type of tick bite to expose a hiker to the dangers of Lyme disease. Even if a person is not deathly allergic to the insect that attacks him, he can still end up reeling from the effects of an unexpected bite. In fact, yellowjackets tend to lurk in the area, resting silently in the ground and then popping up to sting people when they least expect it.
Of course, insect-related ailments aren’t the only problems faced by outdoorsy folks in North Carolina. Sometimes, even the most avid of hikers can fall victim to injuries over the course of a trail. When trail conditions are wet or rocky, a strong hiker can end up slipping and twisting an ankle. In fact, ankle sprains are somewhat common during North Carolina’s prime hiking season, as some outdoor enthusiasts fail to realize the importance of investing in a solid pair of hiking boots.
When it comes to hiking, the ankles aren’t the only part of the body that will often take a beating. Elbow and wrist injuries are also somewhat commonplace during North Carolina’s warm weather months, as it is human instinct to use such body parts to attempt to catch oneself when falling on a trail unexpectedly. Unfortunately, the body is not really designed in a manner that allows a single wrist or elbow to bear the weight of an active adult; as a result, those who fall during hikes or other such outdoor expeditions have a fairly strong tendency to injure their wrists and elbows as well as their ankles.
While bodily injury is not an uncommon result of activities that take place in the great outdoors, another issue that tends to arise is none other than dehydration. Dehydration is likely to occur when the amount of water leaving one’s body is greater than the amount being taken in. Over the course of an outdoor event, a person is likely to expend energy in a manner that causes him to sweat and lose water. If that supply isn’t replenished appropriately, then dehydration can all too easily set in. If left untreated, dehydration can quickly result in unfortunate consequences. So those looking to spend extended periods of time in the outdoors should be aware of the dangers of dehydration. Along these lines, those who do not hydrate properly could also end up succumbing to conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both of which, like dehydration, can bring about tragic results.
Clearly, those who choose to spend time outdoors in North Carolina have numerous factors with which to contend. On the other hand, the act of avoiding injury will often come down to a winning combination of caution and common sense. By equipping themselves properly and knowing what dangers to avoid at all costs, outdoor enthusiasts in North Carolina can indulge in the glory of their surroundings and leave their adventures unscathed.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
