We've all fallen at least once in our lives, right? Sometimes it's not a big deal except for a little laugh, dusting off our knees, and getting up. However, some falls can be life-threatening and cause much more serious injuries than you might think. So today, let's talk about these fall hazards and how to protect yourself from them. This will be especially important for homes with young children and elderly parents.
What types of injuries can occur from a fall?
There are many different types of injuries that occur after a fall. Some can be treated at home, but others require immediate medical attention. Let's take a look at how these injuries are categorized based on their severity.
| Level of injury | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| No harm done situations | This means that you will not be injured if you fall. Although you may feel a little embarrassed, no other treatment is needed. |
| Minor injuries | This includes minor bruises, lacerations, and minor sprains. These can usually be treated at home. |
| Moderate injuries | These are not emergencies, but they do require medical attention. For example, sprained wrists or ankles that can cause loss of function, major lacerations, minor fractures of the ribs or spine, and minor concussions fall into this category. |
| Serious injuries | These are medical emergencies that require immediate treatment. These include fractures of the hip, arm, or leg, traumatic brain injuries, and brain hemorrhages. In these cases, you should go to the hospital immediately. |
So, why do we fall like this?
There can be many reasons for falls. Some common reasons are:
- Accidents that occur while playing sports or during recreational activities.
- Accidents at work.
- Slipping unintentionally on a slippery surface, such as a wet floor.
- A broken spot on the road, tripping over an uneven surface.
- Hitting something we didn't see through our own negligence.
But some age groups are more likely to fall.
Reasons why young children fall
Toddlers who are just starting to walk fall all the time. That's normal. Also, accidents can happen because young children don't have a great understanding of dangerous places.
- From the stairs
- From the open windows
- Climbs on furniture like chairs and tables
- From beds (especially small baby and bunk beds)
- When playing in the playgrounds
Specific causes of falls in the elderly
There are several factors that can contribute to the falls of our elderly mothers, fathers, and grandparents. Let's take a look at what they are.
1. Health conditions
Some illnesses can cause the body to lose balance and fall.
- Stroke
- Movement disorders like Parkinson's disease
- Memory loss diseases like dementia
- Weak eyesight
- Muscle weakness with age (sarcopenia)
2. Medications (medicines) taken
Some medications that many people use have side effects that include dizziness and drowsiness, which increase the risk of falling.
- Blood pressure medications
- Some medications that are used to calm the mind
- Some strong painkillers (Opioids)
The most important thing is that if you take more than five medications a day, your risk of falling is much higher. This is because the side effects of one medication can be exacerbated by another. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about every medication you take.
3. Sensory and balance problems
Our eyesight, touch, and body balance are very important when walking. If any of these are weak, it is easy to fall.
- Poor eyesight: You may fall if you cannot see obstacles on the road clearly.
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Over time, people with diabetes can damage the nerves in their legs. This can lead to loss of sensation in their legs. They may fall when walking on uneven ground without realizing it.
4. Influence of the environment
This is about how we can fall because of things outside our bodies, at home, or in our surrounding environment.
- Items at home: They can get tangled in rugs and carpets on the floor and fall.
- Slippery areas: Waterlogged areas in the bathroom and kitchen are very dangerous.
- Lack of handrails: If there are no grab bars/railings on stairs or in the bathroom, you may lose your balance and fall.
- Shoes/Slippers: Wearing worn-out sandals that don't fit properly is also a cause of falls.
5. Psychological and social reasons
- Having fallen before: A person who has fallen once develops a fear of falling again. This fear sometimes leads to repeated falls.
- Age: 1 in 4 people over the age of 65 fall at least once a year.
- Living alone: There is a higher chance of falling when you are trying to do things alone without someone to help you.
- Fear of falling: People who are afraid of falling are more likely to actually fall.
What are the serious consequences of a fall?
A fall is not just an injury. Especially for an elderly person, it can have serious, life-threatening consequences.
- Long-term hospital stay: Serious injuries may require a hospital stay to recover.
- Permanent disability: You may be disabled for life, or you may need to use something like a cane, walker , or wheelchair.
- Loss of independence: Unable to function independently, you may have to live with family, such as in a nursing home.
- Death: In fact, 85% of deaths from falls occur in people over the age of 65. That's why preventing falls is so important.
How does a doctor diagnose a wound?
If you see a doctor after a fall, he or she will use several methods to diagnose the injury.
- Physical examination.
- Tests related to the nervous system.
- Scans such as `X-ray`, `CT scan`, `MRI` to check for broken bones or internal injuries.
- Blood and urine tests to check for other medical conditions that may have caused the fall.
Can falls be prevented?
Yes, you can! Although falls can happen unexpectedly, we can prevent many of them. Since most falls happen at home, it's best to make your home environment safe.
Preventing falls for the elderly
- Stay physically active: Exercise can improve your body's strength and balance.
- See your doctor regularly: This way you can be aware of illnesses and medications that may be causing you to fall.
- Take care of your feet and shoes: Wear well-fitting, unworn shoes/sandals.
- Take care of your eyesight: Get your eyes checked regularly and make sure your glasses are the right prescription.
- Make your home environment safe: remove rugs, install grab bars in the bathroom, and don't leave unnecessary items on the floor.
- Leave a small light on at night: This can help prevent tripping and falling in the dark when you wake up at night.
Fall prevention for children
- Protect dangerous areas from access: Put gates on stairs.
- Remove items that can be climbed on from windows: Do not place things like chairs and tables near windows.
- Always keep an eye on children: Keep an eye on them when they are playing, especially in high places.
- Teach them not to go to dangerous places.
When should you see a doctor?
Do you always need to go to the doctor after a fall? In some cases, you definitely need to go. Let's see what those are.
| When to see a doctor |
|---|
| If you are having frequent near misses, it could be a sign of a bigger fall in the future. So talk to a doctor. |
| If you experience side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness due to the medication you are taking, tell your doctor about it. |
| When to go to a hospital or ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) immediately |
| If you are taking anticoagulants, go to the hospital immediately after a fall. Even if there is no visible injury on the outside, there may be internal bleeding, especially if you hit your head, chest, or stomach. |
| If there is a suspicion that a bone is broken. If you cannot use an arm or leg normally. |
| If you hit your head, lose consciousness, have blue eyes, or experience vomiting, excessive sleepiness, or changes in behavior after the fall. |
| If you think you may have fallen due to symptoms of a stroke or heart attack. |
Falls can happen at any time in our lives. But a fall as we age can have very different and serious consequences than a fall when we are younger. Therefore, it is very important to prevent falls. If you have any questions about this, talk to your family doctor. He or she will be able to give you the guidance you need.
Take-Home Message
- A fall is not something to be taken lightly. It can be serious, especially for young children and the elderly.
- Many falls occur at home, so making the home environment safe (removing rugs, installing handrails in the bathroom) can help prevent accidents.
- Some medications you take may also increase your risk of falling. Talk to your doctor about this.
- After a fall, especially if you are taking blood-thinning medication, have hit your head, or suspect a broken bone, seek medical advice immediately.
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