Geriatric Falls

Falls most commonly occur when several different problems (e.g. unsteady gait, imbalance, lower-extremity weakness, slower reflexes, environmental hazards) interact to overcome an elderly person's ability to compensate.Causes include:

Anaemia ,Arrhythmias COPD DehydrationInfections (e.g. pneumonia, sepsis)Metabolic disorders (e.g. hypoglycemia, hyperglycaemia with hyperosmolarDehydrationNeurocardiogenic inhibition after micturitionPostural hypotensionPostprandial hypotension, Valvular heart disorders, DeliriumDementia, Arthritis, Bunions,Corns, calluses,Foot deformities, Muscle weakness, Arthritis, Bunions, Corns and calluses, Foot deformities, Muscle weakness, Arthritis, Bunions, Corns and calluses,Foot deformities,Muscle weakness.

Cerebellar degeneration,Myelopathy (e.g. due to cervical or lumbar spondylosis)Parkinson's disease, Peripheral neuropathy, Stroke, Vertebrobasilar insufficiency Peripheral neuropathy (e.g. due to diabetes mellitus) Vitamin B12 deficiency Acute labyrinthitis Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Hearing loss Ménière's disease Cataract Glaucoma Macular degeneration (age-related) complications:

Increased risk of injury, fractures of the humerus, wrist, or pelvis, hip fracture, serious injuries (e.g. head and internal injuries, lacerationsrisk of dehydration, pressure ulcers, rhabdomyolysis, hypothermia, and pneumonia.

Neurologic Examination:
testing muscle strength and tone, sensation (including proprioception), coordination (including cerebellar function), stationary balance, and gait. Basic postural control and the proprioceptive and vestibular systems are evaluated using the Romberg test (in which patients stand with feet together and eyes closed)

The focus is on preventing or reducing the number of future falls and fall-related injuries and complications, while maintaining as much of patients' function and independence as possibleVitamin D, particularly taken with calcium, can reduce fall risk; this reduction is greater than the accompanying improvement.

 

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