One in five falls cause serious injury, even if small fall It may indicate that something is wrong. “Falls may predict functional decline and future injury,” says Lisa Caruso, director of quality and patient safety at the Boston Medical Center School of Medicine. This is one of the reasons why it’s wise for her to inform her doctor not only of “unintentional changes in position from high to low,” such as slipping out of a chair or rolling off a bed, but also in the event of a fall. one, says Caruso.
Mary Campagnolo, a family physician in Bordentown, New Jersey, and a member of the board of directors of the American College of Family Physicians, says tell your doctor even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some of her scars aren’t immediately apparent. Doctors can also help identify (and address) whether the fall is caused by vision problems, health problems such as side effects of medication, or factors in the home such as rugs that pose a tripping hazard. There is a nature. .
Call your doctor right away if you feel pain from a fall.If you have difficulty moving (possibly broken bones), or hit your head“Seek urgent care,” says Gianna Friedley, professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. (Loss of consciousness, confusion, lightheadedness, headaches, and dizziness are all signs of potential head injury.)
Regardless of whether or not the injury was serious, Caruso said, a doctor would probably arrange physical therapy afterwards. (If you break a bone, your doctor may also recommend a scan to check the health of your bones.) Physical therapy can help you recover if you’re injured, or if you’re not injured. can help Reduce the risk of future falls. “The only intervention that has been shown to have any evidence for fall prevention is activity in a supervised environment,” she says.
More serious injuries may require a longer recovery process. For example, falls are a common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults, and healing can take weeks, months, and in some cases he can take a year or more. Physical therapy, good sleep, good nutrition and hydration all help.
For femoral neck fractures, more than 300,000 adults in the United States are hospitalized each year with hip fractures that may require surgery. After this procedure, people may stay in a physical therapy facility for at least a few days and then for several weeks.
Campagnolo said Medicare typically covers about three weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. However, many people need physical therapy and need help with daily living for an extended period of time. For various fall-related injuries, physical therapy can take months or he a year or more. Campagnolo said some people may need occupational therapy to return to normal activities, or speech therapy after a severe brain injury.
For everyone, declining athletic performance and slow progress can be frustrating. “Try to be patient,” says Caruso.
For some people, it can be difficult to overcome the fear of falling again. According to Campagnolo, physical therapy can help you regain your physical confidence. Also, those who are not restore activity levels You are more likely to fall again, and you are more likely to injure yourself more seriously next time.
Assistive devices such as canes and walkers can also help you feel more stable, she says. And she feels ready for a post-physio workout, and when her doctor gives her permission, she will try exercises that help build strength, balance and flexibility, experts say. You can look for Tai Chi, gentle yoga, or her EnhanceFitness classes, which are programs of group exercise at YMCA clubs aimed at reducing the risk of falls.
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