Fall Injuries are very common, especially among older adults. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among people aged 65 and older. Each year, more than 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for Fall injuries, and more than 800,000 are hospitalized. Falls are common, and most people will experience at least one fall in their lifetime. While most falls are not serious, some can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

When you fall, your body experiences a sudden impact. This impact can cause a number of things to happen, including:

• Your muscles contract. When you fall, your muscles will contract involuntarily in an attempt to protect your body from the impact. This contraction can cause pain and soreness.
• Your bones can break. If you fall hard enough, you can break bones. The most common bones to break in a fall are the wrist, arm, leg, and hip.
• You can hit your head. If you fall and hit your head, you can suffer a head injury. Head injuries can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries.
• You can hurt your spinal cord. If you fall and land on your back or neck, you can injure your spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis.

If you fall and experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Inability to move an arm or leg
• Numbness or tingling
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Even if you don’t experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor after a fall, especially if you’re elderly or have any health conditions. The doctor can check you for injuries and make sure you’re healing properly.

Fall Risks

There are a number of factors that can increase the Risk of fall injuries, including:

• Age. The risk of falls increases with age.
• Medications. Some medications can increase the risk of falls.
• Vision problems. Vision problems can make it difficult to see obstacles and can increase the risk of falls.
• Balance problems. Balance problems can make it difficult to stay upright and can increase the risk of falls.
• Weakness. Muscle weakness can make it difficult to catch yourself if you start to fall and can increase the risk of falls.
• Environmental hazards. Environmental hazards, such as loose rugs, clutter, and uneven surfaces, can increase the risk of falls.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of falling. These include:

• Make sure your home is safe. Remove tripping hazards, such as loose rugs and clutter. Install grab bars in the bathroom and near the stairs.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good traction.
• Get regular exercise. Exercise can help improve your balance and coordination.
• See your doctor for regular checkups. This is especially important if you’re elderly or have any health conditions.

By following these tips, you can help keep yourself safe from falls.