Falls - A Leading Cause of Brain Injury
Did you know that falls are a leading cause of brain injury? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they account for nearly half of all traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations. Falls can affect individuals of any age. Physical Medicine Supervisor and Speech and Language Pathologist Buffy Buchanan (shown here) shares information on how to assess your fall risk, how to prevent falls, and what to do if you have a fall.
Falls can result in:
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury – also known as a concussion. Symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision and nausea.
Contusion – bruising on the brain caused by something striking the head, which causes bleeding and swelling in the brain.
Penetrating Injury – open head injury, in which the impact of a sharp object forces hair, skin, bone and fragments into the brain.
Assessing your fall risks
Knowing what your risks are for falling can help you prevent injuries. Review the list below to see if any of the items apply to you as potential risks:
- Balance or walking difficulties
- Common trip hazards at home (rugs, carpets, uneven steps)
- Fallen in past year
- Foot pain or ill-fitting footwear
- Lower body weakness
- Medications that cause dizziness, drowsiness
- Vision disturbances
Fall prevention
Once you are aware of your risks, you can take action to minimize or eliminate them.
- Stay physically active. Exercise and regular movement can strengthen your muscles and keep your body flexible.
- Get your sight and hearing checked regularly. Loss of vision or hearing can increase your risk of fall, as your senses can be decreased to the environment around you.
- Review medication side effects. Some medications cause dizziness and drowsiness, which can lead to an increased risk for falls.
- Check Vitamin D levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, recent studies found that an appropriate daily dose of Vitamin D can reduce risk of falls by 19% in adults.
- Wear appropriate footwear. Make sure shoes are comfortable, fit correctly and are suitable for your environment.
- Talk to your doctor about your risks. Some people are more prone to falls than others. Age, medications, and preexisting conditions are factors that increase your risks.
- Ensure your home environment is safe. Remove trip hazards, install extra lighting at the top and bottom of stairs, and grab bars and handrails in the shower/bath.
What to do if you fall?
Stay calm. Before you try to get up, take a few breaths and evaluate if you are hurt. If you are hurt and cannot get up, call 911 or ask someone to call for you. Even if you don’t think you are injured, tell your doctor about the fall right away, especially if you have hit your head.
The Northwest Texas Healthcare System Therapy Center helps patients regain their independence and get back to living active lives. We provide numerous services including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language rehabilitation.