Understanding Falls & Prevention
At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, fall prevention is the cornerstone of our mission; “Balance” is part of our name after all! September 22nd is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, and every year we bring focus to this very important topic through our “Fight the Fall!” initiative.
We are offering FREE Fall Risk Screenings during the month of September to identify individuals of all ages and conditions who may be at risk of falling. To set up your free screening, call our office to request an appointment today!
Falls are preventable
Falls are preventable. If you or someone you know suffers from imbalance, keep in mind that early intervention is key. Falling is not an inevitable result of aging, and there are steps you can take to improve your balance and decrease the chances of falling. Together we can Fight the Fall!
Everyone has fell at some point after losing balance or tripping. Although common, falls can be dangerous and lead to many types of long-term or fatal injuries.
Everyone has fell at some point after losing balance or tripping. Although common, falls can be dangerous and lead to many types of long-term or fatal injuries.
Why does this matter?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) reports that more than one out of four older people (those aged 65 and up) falls each year.[ii]
The CDC also has found:
- More than 3 million older people are injured in falls and receive treatment in emergency departments each year.
- At least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures each year. Of these hip fractures, 95 percent are caused by falling.
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
- Medical costs for falls in 2015 were more than $50 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid taking on 75 percent of these costs.
- A person who falls once becomes more likely to fall again, especially at an older age.
- People who have fallen in the past tend to become fearful of another fall, which can make them socially withdrawn.
If I see someone close to falling, that's my number one priority. Falling is really common, but can be one fo the most fatal events in someone's life."
- Brandon Soileau, PT, DPT
Don't wait until it's too late.
Take it from the man who works with patients to prevent falling or are recovering from a fatal fall. Brandon explains that he's had patients that have fallen and have a brain bleed. "Just look at the signs, look at our walls and know that falls are one of the most dangerous things I see."
What happens in the body when we fall?
Falling occurs because the body's balance has been disrupted through the person's sensory and/or motor systems. A person's body can maintain balance because the brain receives and interprets information from several different types of senses: [I]
- Vision (from the eyes), which helps orient you to your environment.
- Proprioception or joint position sense (from your joints and muscles, telling your brain where your body is in space).
- The vestibular system (from the inner ear) senses motion, equilibrium, and the position of the head.
Based on these inputs, the brain sends information to different muscles of the body to help maintain balance. Sometimes, the muscles themselves can be weak, leading to a condition called Musculoskeletal Balance disorder (MSBD).
For example, have you ever gotten off a treadmill, boat, or out of a moving car only to feel like you are still moving? This can be due to a sensory conflict and even muscle weakness leading to a dysfunction in balance.
Most of the time, the brain can correct conflicting information to keep a person steady o n their feet. Occasionally, however, a person may become off-balance and fall.
For example, have you ever gotten off a treadmill, boat, or out of a moving car only to feel like you are still moving? This can be due to a sensory conflict and even muscle weakness leading to a dysfunction in balance.
Most of the time, the brain can correct conflicting information to keep a person steady o n their feet. Occasionally, however, a person may become off-balance and fall.
What are the risks of falling?
The risk of falling increases with age, but falls can happen to anyone, at any time, for many different reasons. Most cases of falling involve several different causes or risk factors.[iii] [iv] Some of the more common types include:
- Muscle weakness, especially in the legs
- Lack of vitamin D
- Trouble with walking or balance
- Side effects of medications like sedatives, antidepressants, or cold medicine that can cause drowsiness or dizziness
- Poor vision
- Loss of hearing
- Foot pain or improper footwear
- Uneven flooring or stairs
- Clutter in the home
- Consumption of alcohol
- Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or confusion
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Poor balance
- Incontinence that causes frequent or urgent trips to the bathroom
- Drop in blood pressure
- Walking on ice or wet floors
If you find that you are dizzy or otherwise losing your balance, don't ignore it! It's important to seek help as soon as balance issues begin. Many people wait too long. But the longer you wait, the worse it can get.