What are the differences between an acute injury and a chronic injury or illness? An acute injury is one that occurs in a single event and not over a period of time, whereas a chronic injury could develop or worsen over time. Chronic injuries usually result from repetitive trauma to the same area, injuring it more each time. If left untreated, an acute injury can turn into a chronic injury. Acute injuries are numerous, many of which result from sporting accidents. An acute injury is trauma to a certain area of ​​the body that may or may not cause severe pain. Acute injuries can be classified as injuries to bones, muscles, tendons, mencius and ligaments. When an acute injury occurs, the victim may experience bruising, swelling, and sometimes dislocation of the affected area. The time it takes for the injury to heal is a better indicator of the type of injury the patient has. When treating an acute injury, remember the acronym RICE. The “R” stands for rest. After an injury, rest is important because it gives the affected area time to attempt to heal itself. The “I” represents ice cream. Ice is necessary to minimize swelling of the injured area. When icing an area, use the twenty minutes of rest and twenty minutes of walking. When using ice, make sure you have a barrier between the ice and the skin to prevent hypothermia or freezing of the skin. An example of a barrier would be a paper towel or some type of fabric. The “C” stands for compression. When compressing an injured area, the swelling also goes down. When an injury is swollen, it can delay necessary healing. When wrapping to compress an injury, an ACE bandage normally works best. If you start to notice a throbbing sensation middle of paper......... Bruising occurs when small blood vessels burst under the skin and their contents spill under the skin, causing the skin to change color. the skin. A bruise usually heals on its own within a week or two. An incision normally occurs when a doctor needs to cut the skin for a medical reason. An incision should be treated like a cut. Some eye injuries are also considered acute injuries. A perforated eyeball is classified as an injury to the tension mechanism as well as an abrasion of the cornea. In conclusion, all acute injuries are painful and should be treated and cared for properly as soon as possible. If an injury is not treated properly, it could cause more long-term damage than the original injury. Always remember the acronym RICE, rest, ice, compression and elevation as the first method of treatment for an acute injury..