Best way to prevent spinal injury in elderly is to remain active
A recent study by Johns Hopkins university in America revealed that falls are the cause of over 40% of spinal injuries and that infants teenagers and over 65s are the most at risk. In addition 35% of brain injuries are caused by falls.
Elderly people face particular challenges and are at a greater risk of brain injury complications like bleeding on the brain after a fall. Dizziness, blood pressure issues, poor hand and foot co-ordination, multiple medications can all add to the risk of a fall for elderly people and this can lead to an understandable desire to limit levels of activity to the minimum.
But remaining active is actually often the very best way of avoiding a fall. Regular exercise, keeping your home clear of clutter and asking your doctor to review your medication to make sure they all interact well are all good ways to keep the risk of a fall low. Good lighting and making sure your vision is as good as possible are also very important.
If you are experiencing any issues with balance, co-ordination, dizziness or any other symptoms that affect your ability to remain active it is essential you contact your doctor’s surgery and discuss this with them.