Medical Conditions can Increase Fall Risk

No matter the age, everyone is at risk of falling. According to Pew Research Center, 27% of people in the US over the age of 60 live alone, and most of them report difficulty with activities involving standing or walking.

One way to reduce the risk of falling is by managing and treating existing medical conditions.

In this article, we will discuss medical conditions that increase fall risk and treatment for falls in Dallas Fort Worth.

Here’s a list of some common medical conditions that can increase the chances of falling.

Cataracts

The lens in our eye focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye to produce an image. A cataract is when the lens becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred vision and difficulty seeing at night.

In the United States, about 1 in 6 people over the age of 65 have a cataract. Cataracts usually develop slowly and don’t cause pain or other symptoms until they are quite advanced.

Cognitive impairment

Doctors define cognitive impairment as having poor memory or difficulty concentrating and paying attention for short periods. Cognitive impairment is associated with aging and is seen in about half of all people over 85. 

About 6.2 million citizens in America aged 65 or older have dementia, the most severe form of cognitive impairment. Dementia can be caused by Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Dizziness

Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint are common symptoms of a medical problem known as orthostatic hypotension.

This condition causes a drop in blood pressure when you stand up after sitting or lying for a prolonged period.

Orthostatic hypotension also causes nausea and blurred vision. It’s common in people over 60 due to medications and an underlying condition such as Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, or low blood pressure.

Edema

Also known as swelling, edema happens when fluid builds up, most commonly in the feet and legs, but it can also occur in the arms and hands.

Symptoms include ankles and feet that appear puffy or shiny, weight gain, or fatigue. Edema is most often caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, hormonal problems such as Cushing’s syndrome (due to an overproduced hormone), malnutrition (often seen in the elderly), and certain cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia.

Heart disease

There are several types of heart disease, but the most common type is coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease narrows or blocks the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The narrowing is due to plaque build-up, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the bloodstream.

It’s usually caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking, not exercising enough, and a poor diet. About 80% of heart disease is caused by coronary artery disease.

Insomnia

Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep is called insomnia. Although it can happen at any age, it’s most commonly seen in older adults due to the natural aging process changing how the body regulates sleep.

Physical and mental health problems such as heart disease, depression, and anxiety can also impact sleep.

Kidney failure

As we get older, our kidneys tend not to work as well as they used to. This is because the blood vessels that bring blood to each kidney narrow and harden (known as arteriosclerosis), and the number of nephrons in each kidney decrease.

This causes waste products to build up in the blood. The most common cause of kidney failure is diabetes.

It’s also caused by high blood pressure, infections, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, exposure to certain medications or toxins, and uncontrolled fluid volumes (too much water and not enough sodium).

Liver disease

There are several types of liver disease, but the most common type is called chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is a long-term (chronic) inflammation of the liver usually caused by a viral infection such as hepatitis B or C.

Symptoms include yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and dark-colored urine. Heart disease and alcoholism can also cause liver damage that, over time, may lead to chronic hepatitis.

Parkinson’s disease

The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are shaking or trembling in the hands, legs, jaw, and face when at rest, stiffness or slowness of movement, and impaired balance.

It’s caused by the death of nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra that produces dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps regulate muscle movement.

Parkinson’s disease can sometimes be related to other medical conditions such as delirium, multiple system atrophy, drug interactions, and progressive supranuclear palsy.

Alzheimer’s disease

The most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are memory loss and difficulty thinking, problem-solving, and speaking. It’s a brain disorder that results in the breakdown of nerve cells and interferes with a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

The most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but it may be related to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Neurological conditions

Several neurological conditions can affect balance and coordination. One example of this is multiple sclerosis (MS), which causes damage to the myelin sheath around the nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord.

As a result, messages from the brain may not be properly received or understood by other body parts. The most common symptoms are problems with vision, muscle weakness, fatigue, lack of coordination, and balance issues.

High blood pressure

Hypertension is when a person has high blood pressure. The heart works harder to pump blood through the body.

Over time, this increased force can damage blood vessels and organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, eyes, and other body parts. High blood pressure is a very common condition that increases with age.

It’s more common in African Americans over age 65 and in people who are overweight. Other medical conditions that cause high blood pressure include diabetes, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, and kidney disease.

Infections spread to the brain or spinal cord

Viruses, bacteria, or fungi may cause infections such as meningitis. Symptoms vary depending on which part of the nervous system is infected.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Bacteria or viruses can cause it. A vaccine is available to protect against most types of meningitis.

How Prime MD Plus can help

Falls are a major concern for seniors, as they can lead to serious injuries such as fractures and head trauma.

Treatment of falls in Dallas-Fort Worth

Prime MD Plus offers a fall prevention program that can help reduce the risk of falls.

Our team will perform a comprehensive assessment including medical history taking and setting up physical therapy with a certified physical therapist to identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to your risk of falling.

We will then develop a customized physical therapy program to address those issues and help you regain your balance and strength.

In addition, our board-certified geriatrician can evaluate your overall health and make recommendations to help you stay safe and prevent falls in the future.

Contact us today to learn more about how Prime MD Plus can help you remain active while staying safe and preventing falls.

Conclusion

Medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s are risk factors for falling.

Physical therapists can help with balance training and preventing falls.

This therapy can work in conjunction with new treatments like the Emsculpt NEO platform can help you burn fat and build muscle quickly without surgery or medication. This can help to decrease your risk of falling.

If you are looking to consult with a board-certified geriatric doctor in the Dallas- Fort Worth area about falls, or need help managing balance issues without medication, visit primemdplus.com.