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Simon Fishman, MD
The Link Between Falls and Neurological Disorders
Integrated Neurology Services

The Link Between Falls and Neurological Disorders

Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older are injured from falling down, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among older adults, falls are now a leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.

An estimated 20 to 30 percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.

In addition, even if no injury is incurred, many people who fall develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which starts a spiral decline due to isolation, lack of exercise, and depression.

Unfortunately, many older adults and their caregivers view falls as a natural and largely unavoidable part of the aging process. It has been found that among the many adults who fall each year less than half talk to their healthcare provider about the event. A lack of notification often leads to more frequent injury and repeated falls, all of which might be preventable.

Many patients, especially those with a recurring history of falls, may be suffering from treatable neurological disorders. An increased risk of falling is associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar disorders, syncope (fainting) related to low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) and polyneuropathy (nerve damage), cervical myelopathy (spinal cord injury), stroke, and dementia. In many cases, there is more than one cause.

Some disorders require changing your current medications, turning on lights at night, taping loose carpets, or taking new medications to control symptoms of a neurologic disease.

It is very important to tell your healthcare provider if you fall or almost fall, even if you are not hurt. Write down when, where, and how you fell. Those details are very helpful in assessing the causes for the fall.

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