Why do I keep falling? Some people believe that falls are a normal part of aging. That is not true! Most falls can be prevented. With help from your physical therapist and other health care professionals, you can drastically reduce your risk for falling.
According to the National Council on Aging, 1 in 4 older adults fall every year in the US. The CDC reports that each year, 3 million older people are treated in the ER for fall injuries. Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury. The most common injuries are head injury or hip fractures.
What causes a fall?
- Muscle weakness. Sarcopenia, age-related loss of muscle mass can be a strong factor as to why falls occur. Signs of sarcopenia are falling, muscle weakness, slow walking speed, muscle wasting and difficult performing daily activities. The treatment for sarcopenia is EXERCISE, specifically resistance training or strength training. Physical therapists are experts in assessing sarcopenia and cultivating a program to combat this age-related muscle mass!
- Vision problems. Your vision plays a big roll in your balance, so visual problems may affect your balance and cause falls. Glaucoma and cataracts both impair depth perception, peripheral vision and acuity which can cause problems on the stairs and over thresholds of doorways. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist for an annual eye exam.
- Long-term health conditions such as heart disease, dementia, low blood pressure (hypotension) Parkinson’s disease. More than 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition. These conditions can increase your risk for falls. The pain, mobility issues, and medications to treat those conditions can increase your fall risk. A physical therapist is an expert in addressing those mobility issues.
- Balance problems. As we age, our balance is not as good. Problems with vision, sensation, weakness and flexibility all impact our balance. Staying physically active is a great way to combat these problems. A physical therapist can establish a program to address the problems that are affecting your balance.
- Medications. Certain drugs such as insulin, glipizide, glyburide, anti-arrhythmic, nitrates, and other vasodilators, digoxin, pain medications and NSAIDS and sleep medications may affect your balance and cause falls. Speak with your health care provider about the risks involved with these medications.
When should I be concerned about falling?
Any fall that results in an injury should be cause for concern. Being proactive about receiving the right kind of assessment by a doctor and physical therapist can help prevent future falls.
How can we prevent falls?
To prevent falls, we must first look at the causes of falls which can be put into three categories: Physical, mental and environmental. Am I feeling physically weak? Do I take a medication that may make me dizzy? Is my house cluttered with items that I may trip over? A medical team comprising a physician and physical therapist can assess your risk factors for falls and provide pertinent education on how to address those risks.
Check out my next article on 6 steps to prevent a fall!
6 Steps to Prevent a Fall