health

Doctors who treat strains and sprains use the expression “RICE DIETS”
to describe the steps required for healing. The “RICE” part of the term
refers more to first-aid practices, whereas “DIETS” refers to more definitive
therapies performed by or under doctor’s supervision.

• R: Rest. The amount of rest depends on the degree of injury.
• I: Ice. Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small) which helps
  reduce inflammation.
• C: Compression. Bandages and wraps play a role in reducing pain
  and swelling, and in helping ruptured small blood vessels to heal
  more quickly.
• E: Elevation. Lifting the injured area above level of the heart
  helps keep swelling down and blood from pooling in the area of
  damage.
• D: Drugs. Doctors may recommend the use of aspirin, ibuprofen*,
  or other anti-inflammatory medications during the first few days
  after the injury.
• I: Incision. drainage, and injection. Third-degree sprains sometimes
  require these procedures.
• E: Exercise. Patients may be taught how to do certain leg exercises
  that will help them after their injuries.
• T: Therapy. Patients may benefit greatly from physical therapy to get
  the injured part of the body back in use without hurting it again.
• S: Surgery. A bad strain or sprain may need surgery to repair damaged
  tissue or fractured (broken) bones.