Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Protecting Yourself From a Serious Fall
Of all the potential side effects from prescription medications, accidental falls are a particular concern for older people. At a younger age, a fall usually results in nothing more than a bruised ego -- we get up, rub the affected area, and get on with the day.
Not so for many older adults, for whom falls can be a serious or even fatal event. In 2005 nearly 1.8 million Americans age 65 and older were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal injuries from a fall -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Injuries range from mild (bruises and abrasions) to moderate (hairline fractures) to life-threatening problems, such as a broken hip or bleeding in the brain.
The good news is that you can prevent injurious falls due to prescription medications by working with your pharmacist and your doctor(s). They can assess whether you are at a higher risk for falls and need to take extra precautions with your medications.
What Are the Risk Factors? Among older people, various risk factors strongly indicate a higher fall risk. The CDC and a 2008 review article in Neurology cite the following factors:
- Age. Fall risk continues to rise with increasing age. In 2001, adults age 85 and older had four to five times more fall injuries than those ages 65 to 74.
- Diseases and conditions. Dementia, stroke, or illnesses that create an abnormal walk raise the risk of a fall. An increased risk also is likely among people with Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness or sensory loss in the lower limbs, and substantial loss of vision.
- History of falls. An individual who suffered a fall during the previous year has a 55% higher risk of having another fall. Geriatricians strongly recommend routine fall-risk assessments. If you or your loved one has not been assessed for fall risk, ask your doctor about it. If you have taken a fall in the past year, insist on such an assessment.
Further Steps -- In addition, some basic lifestyle measures can help you to decrease the risk of a fall. Studies show that regular exercise improves strength and balance, which help to prevent falls. Even a weekly tai chi class or light strength training several times per week can make a difference.
Also look around your home and remove any physical hazards that could cause a fall, such as unsecured throw rugs or clutter in walkways. Proper lighting, particularly on your path to the bathroom at night, is another good idea. Installing handrails on stairways and grab bars in bathrooms can be helpful, too.
Posted in Prescription Drugs on March 2, 2010
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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