X-Rays and Other Options: Explained
X-rays have been a part of medical imaging for as long as this field has existed, and people still get them today. But is it the best or safest option for diagnosing injuries and illnesses?
How Soon Should I See a Doctor After a Work-Related Injury?
Everyone needs to make a living, and with many people working, there is often a risk of getting hurt. In 2023 alone, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 2,569,000 nonfatal injuries in America caused 946,000 workers to lose time from their jobs and deal with the fallout from these problems.
Recovering from these injuries costs workers wages, hospital fees, and legal costs if they need to seek compensation through the courts. No one wants to be in this position, but if you’re one of the millions of people dealing with an injury from work, how soon should you look for medical help?
Orangevale and Rancho Cordova, California, workers dealing with injuries that need medical attention can get help from Dr. Andrew Nanagalama and his experienced team at American River Urgent Care.
Common violations and job-related injuries
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, these are the most commonly violated standards and resulting work-related injuries:
Falls
Falls can occur when workers slip on the ground or fall from a higher elevation, such as ladders or scaffolding, which can happen in many labor-intensive jobs.
Occupational hazards
This includes exposure to dangerous materials, such as chemicals or electricity, and liquids on walking surfaces, which can also cause falls.
Eye and face protection
Lacking proper equipment to protect your eyes and face during work can lead to damage that needs medical attention.
Respiratory protection
Exposure to particles and chemicals that do respiratory damage can result from not having proper protection.
Machine compliance
Not following the proper guidelines for operating machines or having people who are not well-versed in using them can lead to many accidents.
When to get medical help
Getting help will depend on the nature of the injury, and how quickly will depend on the severity. For example, lacerations, bruises, scrapes, swelling, strains, sprains, and joint stiffness can lead to time away from work but may only be a few days or weeks if the injury is found to be minor.
However, serious injuries need medical attention right away and include severe bleeding, major burns, joint immobility, severe pain, respiratory problems, bodily trauma (bone deformities, significant joint damage), and bluish coloration.
Treatments we offer
Our comprehensive treatment plan covers determining what’s wrong and putting together an action plan to help in your recovery. We have a number of options for helping to assess and treat injuries, including:
- Diagnostic methods: medical imaging (X-rays), physical examinations, lab testing
- First aid care: managing bruises, cuts, punctures, and other mild injuries
- Pain management: relief using acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and stronger prescription when absolutely necessary
- Acute injury care: help with dislocations, sprains, strains, and fractures
A trip to the emergency room may still be necessary if your injury is too severe, and major medical problems (as laid out above) should take that route first.
If you’re injured at work, are in pain, and you don’t know how bad the damage is, you should see a doctor. If that happens, contact Dr Nangalama and American River Urgent Care as soon as possible.
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