What are the causes of falls?
- Chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia etc. can cause lack of coordination, dizzy spells and weakness.
- Blood pressure that drops too much when you get up from lying down or sitting (called postural hypotension)
- Loss of balance due to an infection or fear of falling.
- Some medicines including those that manage blood pressure may have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or other loss of functioning.
- Decline in muscle strength (sarcopenia) and joint flexibility can affect mobility affecting how you move and how easily you can walk and get up and down.
- Poor eyesight leading to reduced reaction time making it difficult to avoid hazards. Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are common age-related vision problems.
- Fluid build up in the ear. While fluid accumulation in the middle or inner ear is typically caused by infections, it can also be caused by poor ear hygiene or even ill-fitting hearing aids.
- Arthritic conditions of the spine, hips, and knees could make your loved one lose his or her balance. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis not only cause pain and inflammation of the joints but can also cause an unsteady gait.
