Medical Conditions – And Certain Medicines  – Increase the Risk of Falls

Due to normal effects of aging, medical conditions and side effects of medications, many seniors have difficulty maintaining balance, putting them at increased risk of injury from falls.

About a third of seniors report some difficulty with balance and ambulation, according to the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging (AGSFHA).  This percentage increases after age 75.

Environmental conditions in seniors’ homes (for instance, inadequate lighting, tripping hazards and lack of assistive devices like grab bars) compound the problem. For information on eliminating environmental hazards, click here (link to Making Home Safer NYCU article).

The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one of the National Institutes of Health, states that balance disorders can be caused by several medical conditions, such as viral or bacterial infections in the ear, a head injury, or blood circulation disorders that affect the inner ear or brain.
 
The Mayo Clinic states that in addition to conditions affecting the inner ear, balance problems can be caused by drops in blood pressure, inadequate flow of blood from the heart caused by partially blocked arteries, disease of the heart muscle, abnormal heart rhythm, drop in blood volume, joint problems, muscle weakness, failing vision and hearing, and anxiety disorders.

Medicines And Fall Risks

The side effects of certain medicines, as well as adverse interactions of drugs, can make seniors unsteady on their feet and make falls more likely, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reports on its website, www.aafp.org.  This includes some medicines for high blood pressure, depression, sleep problems, diabetes and heart conditions.

Taking four or more drugs at once increases the chance of an interaction that may cause unsteadiness. Seniors also may be at risk if they have changed medications within the past two weeks.

To reduce your risk of unhealthy drug interactions, always tell your doctor and pharmacist all of the prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal medicines and supplements you take. Also, immediately report to your physician if a new medicine makes you feel dizzy or lose your balance.

AGSFHA recommends that seniors have their physician evaluate their strength, balance, gait, complete medication list, and overall risk for falls. This way the physician can prescribe a plan for reducing the risk. This could include adjusting medications, physical therapy, an exercise program designed to improve strength and balance, and an assistive device such as a cane or walker to make walking safer.
 
Regular medical, vision and hearing check-ups also are essential for lowering the risk of falls. And seniors should see their doctor immediately if they ever feel dizzy, confused, weak or unsteady on their feet--or fall.

A balanced diet contributes to lowering the risk of falls. In particular, the Minnesota Fall Prevention program reports that adequate intake of vitamin D--the “sunshine vitamin”-- has been shown to make falls less likely. During the winter in northern regions like Minnesota, vitamin D may be in short supply--at least from the sun. But seniors should ask their health care provider about taking vitamin D supplements. And they should check with their doctor to confirm it is okay to continue eating calcium-rich foods, such as fortified cereals and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, low-fat dairy, and canned fish with soft bones.

Other preventive measures to lower the risk of falls include:

• Regular exercise, such as walking, water workouts and tai chi (check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine)
• Exercises to strengthen the muscles used for walking and lifting
• Avoidance of smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake to two drinks or less a day

If you are concerned that exercise will put you at risk of falling, your doctor may be able to recommend a carefully monitored exercise program or refer you to a physical therapist who can create a program to improve your balance, muscle strength and gait.