According to reports by the CDC, in the year 2010 unintentional overexertion injuries are one of the top 10 most common injuries that were treated in hospital emergency departments throughout the United States. Unintentional overexertion was the second most common injury for individuals between the age of 25 and 54 and was the third most common injury for those between 10 and 24 as we ass those over the age of 55. In 2010, 3,440,314 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for unintentional overexertion. This makes unintentional overexertion the third most common reason for an individual to visit the emergency room in the United States.

Unintentional overexertion can occur during a sports game, a work out, while performing a job, or in a number of other situations. Typically, unintentional overexertion involves straining the body beyond its capabilities in a way that causes a bad reaction. Sometimes individuals will begin to vomit, or will develop a temporary illness as the body responds to the adverse effects of the overexertion. The National Safety Council says that individuals can take steps to prevent overexertion. Working in an awkward posture for long amounts of time can place too much stress on the wrong part of the body.

For example, if you work in a warehouse and are currently bent over checking packages, this may cause strain on the back. It is important that workers keep their bodies squared to their work. Employers should make sure that their toes always point the same way as their nose in order to maintain a proper posture. Also, workers need to limit the amount of weight that they carry.

Carrying more than necessary may result in back strain. Also, the NSC suggests that workers be mindful of the fact that repeating certain movements over and over again can cause stress levels to increase, resulting in tense muscles. It is important to take frequent but short breaks in order to avoid this possibility. If you have been suffering from overexertion, you may experience dizziness, sore or painful muscles, fluttering heartbeats, low abdominal pain, overheating, chest pain, nausea or more.

The NSC suggests that workers call 911 if they experience a lack of coordination, a severe headache, blue lips or fingers, shortness of breath or labored breathing, or another serious symptom. Often overexertion injuries happen after a worker carries something too heavy or is putting forth physical effort by pulling, pushing, lifting, lowering, holding, or turning heavy materials.