Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
Falling happens. But the goal is not to fall. In medicine falls get more scary the older you get, but at any age falls can have poor outcomes.
According to the CDC, more than one out of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling can be a sign or symptom of different medical problems; so it is important to let your doctor know when and how often you fall.
Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. So. do not think you are one and done. Fall once, then you are likely to fall again, and so on.
Each year, there are millions of older people who visit the emergency department because of falls, and about 1 million of them end up being hospitalized because of the fall. The range of consequences of a fall are broad and range from mild to severe. Falls lead to bone injuries like broken bones, or fractures and head injuries like concussions or brain injuries. They can even lead to dehydration, starvation and death if a person is not able to get assistance or communicate and are instead left on the ground.
Stumbling is not casual. Falls are not casual. It is critical to prevent falling, especially in older adults because of the devastating consequences that may occur. According to the Journal of Aging and Health, “In 2019, 83% percent of hip fracture deaths and 88% of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for hip fractures were caused by falls.”
Most falls can be caused by a combination of things; so there has to be a multifactorial approach to the prevention. Medical and environmental conditions contribute to the risk of falling and should be addressed to decrease the risk of falling.
Medical conditions that increase the risk of falling include body weakness, vitamin D deficiency, difficulty walking or balance, vision problems, medications that impact balance and foot problems.
Regarding medical conditions, there are many medications or medical problems that can cause people to feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you or someone you know feels dizzy or lightheaded often when walking, standing or getting up from a seated position, then it is recommended to be evaluated by a doctor. Dizziness and lightheadedness are common reasons people fall, and this can be caused by many things including low blood pressure.
Environmental conditions include poor infrastructures like broken or uneven steps, rugs and even clutter.
Here are four ways to prevent falling according to the CDC;
1 – Talk to your doctor about fall risks and prevention. Speaking with your doctor about a recent fall and telling them about feeling unsteady will help your doctor help you. Reviewing your medications and overall help will provide you with a better understanding of what medications and health problems may be contributing to your fall risks and should be better addressed and managed.
2 – Exercise to improve your balance and strength. Making your legs stronger will lower your chances of falling. Lack of exercise can lead to body and muscle weakness, which can increase your chances of falling.
3 – Have your eyes and feet checked. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling, and so can poor foot health. Vision checks annually for older adults can help screen for eye problems or eye changes and help you get the right management or treatment plan. Regular foot evaluations can help you get the right footwear so you can have better balance and mobility.
4 – Make your home safer. – Remove things you can trip over (like papers, books, clothes and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk. Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to keep the rugs from slipping.
Keep items you use often in cabinets you can reach easily without using a step stool. Have grab bars put in next to and inside the tub, and next to the toilet. Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors. Improve the lighting in your home.
As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Hang light-weight curtains or shades to reduce glare. Have handrails and lights installed on all staircases.
Wear well-fitting shoes with good support inside and outside the house.
Falls can be bad for anyone. But the can be ugly for older adults. It is important to get people evaluated if they fall, especially if they hit their head.
Not all falls result in immediate symptoms so “feeling fine” may be covering up a major head trauma that can potentially cause brain injury or even death. Don’t brush over falls. Get checked out by a doctor and tell your doctor when you fall.
Talk to people around you about decreasing fall risks in your home or their home. Taking care of yourself and others includes preventing falls at home and in the community.
Dr. Aisha Harris, MD, is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com. Feel free to submit health questions to Dr. Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
