Is Falling Down Simply Due to Carelessness?

 



Q1. Is it only when someone is not careful that they will fall?
Carelessness can increase the risk of falls, especially when you are in a hurry and not paying attention to the surroundings. And the faster you walk, the more likely you fall.
 
Common neurological illnesses, such as stroke and Parkinson's disease, can affect one’s limb function and balance, increasing the risk of falls. Other conditions, like cerebellar degeneration, may also affect the organs of balance and cause an unsteady gait and higher fall risks. Patients with cognitive impairments are also more prone to falls due to decreased awareness of the surroundings.
 
In addition to neurological diseases, heart diseases or orthopaedic conditions, such as joint pain during movement or impaired mobility, may increase fall risks in some patients. Those with poor eyesight are also more likely to fall as they become less alert to the environment.
 
Q2. Aside from illnesses, what are the common factors leading to falls?
In addition to illnesses, it is important to be cautious of the potential side effects of medications. For example, blood pressure may become too low after using certain blood pressure medications. It may also lead to orthostatic hypotension, causing dizziness and increased fall risks. Apart from medical conditions, please also pay attention to the environmental factors. A cluttered home with poor lighting can also increase fall risks at home. Research showed that one in five seniors experienced a fall in a single year. Given incidence of falls among seniors and their serious consequences, it is crucial to take preventive measures seriously.
 
Q3. What shall we do after a fall?
Check for any injury immediately after one falls, especially the signs of concussion such as impaired consciousness, headache and vomiting. If that is the case, seek immediate medical examination. Also look for any impact on the body functions, pain, and in particular signs of bone fractures in seniors. Bone fractures most likely occur in the wrists, hip joints and thighs of the elderly. Injuries in hips and thighs can impair their mobility. Surgery is often necessary when the hip joints are injured.
 
Q4. I suffer no severe injury after a fall. Do I still need to see a doctor?
Some problems may not occur immediately after a fall. They are called “delayed symptoms”. For example, a subdural haematoma may only develop days or weeks after the accident. Therefore, we need to keep a close watch on the patients for such signs as persistent headaches, nausea, vomiting, impaired consciousness or poor limb coordination. Seek medical examination if necessary.   
 
Q5. How can patients reduce the risks of falling?
If the fall is caused by an underlying medical condition, it should be managed as soon as possible. For example, stroke patients can improve mobility and balance with rehabilitation, thereby restoring reasonable self-care ability. Medications can help patients with Parkinson's disease to enhance limb flexibility and balance, reducing their fall risks. In case of poor vision due to cataract, surgery may be considered to improve eyesight.
 
Patients with heart disease and high blood pressure may need to take medications to keep the blood pressure under good control, avoid large fluctuation and mininise fall risks. Pay close attention to the medications and dosages seniors are taking, as many of them may be on multiple medications and need to be reviewed.  We also need to be cautious about the side effects of the medications as they may contribute to low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension and cause falls in the elderly. Some sedatives may also lead to dizziness, impaired mobility, and a higher risk of imbalance, so dosage adjustments may be necessary to minimise these effects and reduce the risk of falls.
 
Q6. How to prevent falls in daily life?
Take care of the patient's home with appropriate changes. One is more likely to fall if there are too much clutter or objects at home. Furniture should be also placed in such a way to prevent bumps and falls. Adequate home lighting is also important, especially for seniors who may need to get up in the middle of the night. By ensuring good lighting, you can help minimise their risk of falling. One’s clothes should also fit properly, especially in cold weather, or one may be tripped by nearby objects and fall. Make sure the shoes are comfortable with shoelaces securely tied. They should not be too loose, so that one is less likely to stumble or bump into other areas. All in all, by taking good care of these daily life details, you can help reduce fall risks.    
 
Besides, regular and appropriate exercise is important for the prevention of falls. It can enhance muscle strength and sense of balance, reduce joint stiffness, as well as minimise sarcopenia.

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