Additional Health Concerns

• Infectious Mononucleosis

– Caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)– Major significance to athletes - produces severe fatigue and

raises the risk of splenic rupture– EBV is carried in the throat and transmitted through saliva

– S&S: headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, myalgia, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands

– Care: supportive and symptomatic; usually out for 3-5 weeks depending on spleen symptoms; tylenol for fever and headache

• Asthma

Spasm of the bronchial smooth muscles and inflammation of the the mucous membranes

• Caused by a numbers of stressors: viral respiratory tract infection; emotional upset; changes in barometric pressure; exercise; allergens, etc.

• S&S: hyperventilation; dizziness; coughing; wheezing

• Management for asthma attack

– Relax and reassure athlete– If medication is cleared by a physician, use it

(inhaler/nebulizer)– Encourage athlete to drink water– Controlled breathing: “in through the nose, out

through the mouth”– Nothing helps -

seek medical attention

• Anemia

– Caused by iron-deficiency– Most prevalent in menstruating women and

males 11-14 y.o.– S&S: performance begins to decline;

burning thighs; nausea; ice craving– Care: Refer for blood tests; proper diet (red

meat/dark poultry); avoid coffee and tea; vitamin C; supplements

• Foods rich in iron:– Red meats– Dark poultry– Total Cereal– Cream of wheat– Beans– Baked potato– Soy burger– Tofu

• Female athlete triad syndrome– Relationship of 3 medical disorders:

1. Disordered eating - anorexia or bulimia

2. Amenorrhea - no menstrual cycle

3. Osteoporosis

• Usually occurs in young women athletes driven to excel in her sport and pressured to fit a specific athletic image.

• S&S: – Athlete presents with multiple stress reactions or

fractures– Asking questions reveals a loss of menstrual cycle– Further questioning reveals a problem with food

and body image

• Dangers:– Premature bone loss, inadequate bone

development, increased skeletal fragility– Dangers associated with loss of menstrual cycle =

reproductive problems– Psychological issues

• Identifying those at risk:

– Compulsive exercise– Restricts the amounts and kinds of food consumed– Eats alone most of the time– Thinks and talks a lot about food and body weight– Seems depressed– Excessive injuries related to activity– Irregular or absent menstrual periods

• Care: prevention; identify and screen athletes who may be at risk; referral

MRSA• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

– A strain of staphylococcus bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics

– Bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics when antibiotics are used often.

– S. aureus most commonly colonizes in the nostrils, although the respiratory tract, opened wounds, intravenous catheters and urinary tract are also potential sites for infection.

– Cases have developed from person-to-person contact, shared towels, soaps, improperly treated whirlpools, and equipment (mats, pads, surfaces, etc).

• S&S: – Skin infections such as pimples, pustules

and boils– Present as red, swollen, painful, or have

pus– Mistaken as a spider bite

• Prevention

1. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer routinely.

2. Encourage immediate showering following activity.

3. Avoid whirlpools or common tubs with open wounds, scrapes or scratches.

4. Avoid sharing towels, razors, and daily athletic gear.

5. Properly wash athletic gear and towels after each use.

6. Maintain clean facilities and equipment.

7. Inform or refer to appropriate health care personnel for all active skin lesions and lesions that do not respond to initial therapy.

8. Administer or seek proper first aid.

9. Encourage health care personnel to seek bacterial cultures to establish a diagnosis.

10. Care and cover skin lesions appropriately before participation.