Falls Don't Happen Simply Because of Age

Article submitted by Marian Girardi, PhD & Michael Bearce.
For more information, they can be reached at 630-305-0403, or visit their website: www.FallPreventionClinics.com.

In 2003 the CDC reported that when all injuries from the 65+ age group were examined, 50% were due to falls. In fact, nearly half of all people over the age of 65 fall at least once per year. Even more shocking is the fact that fall related injuries is the 5th leading cause of death for those age 65 and over.

As we age, dizziness and/or balance disorders increasingly become the most common reason for visiting a physician. In our aging population this not only leads to discomfort and limits the patient's activities, but also promotes falls and falls with injuries. Further complicating the problem is the fear of falling, which results in further limitation of activity, which in turn, results in weakness, stiffness, and a higher risk of falling with injury. NOW THE GOOD NEWS! This downward spiral is avoidable.

For years, seniors and their doctors have assumed that balance loss and resulting falls are an unavoidable effect of the aging process. Not true, says a study by the U.S. Center for Disease Control, which states that dizziness and reduced balance function is not part of the normal aging process.

Even though instability and/or dizziness remain the leading reasons for seniors to see their primary care physician; until recently, doctors had few diagnostic or treatment options for their patients. Consequently, medications such as antivert, meclizine and valium became common treatments for the dizzy patient; and seniors who suffered a balance dysfunction where routinely told that loss of balance was to be expected in one's later years. That commonly held expectation contributed to the increased use of walkers, sedentary lifestyles and placement in nursing homes or assisted living communities.

While it's true that one of the biggest issues for patients with dizziness or balance issues is the lack of local diagnostic and treatment expertise, the American Geriatric Society states that balance function need not be lost if seniors would seek medical help when signs of instability or dizziness occur. Unfortunately, many seniors don't get help because they fail to recognize their problem or they don't want to have family members think that instability may mean a trip to the nearest nursing home.

Fortunately, current diagnostic technologies provide doctors with important information to identify the cause or causes of a patient's dizziness and balance disorders. Armed with the appropriate diagnostic information, doctors can now work with patients to effect extremely successful Balance Correction Therapy program.

Fall Prevention Clinics of America is Chicagoland's resource for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders for all ages. Utilizing general, geriatric, otolaryngology and audiology doctors, our medical team is highly successful at helping people to reduce or eliminate dizziness and improve their balance function while reducing the risk for injury due to falls.