Diabetes Can Increase Your Risk For Fall Injuries

Each year, 30 percent of persons aged greater than or equal to 65 years suffer a fall and 13

,700 of those individuals died from that injury in 2003. Between 1993 and 2003, the rate of fatal falls among this age group had increased. Did you know that the incidence of diabetes is also increasing in this age group and diabetes is now one of the top 5 chronic medical conditions affecting Americans? As diabetes progresses, many individuals suffer from nerve damage as a result of increased levels of sugar in their blood. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, can decrease ones ability to feel their feet and legs. The lack of feeling makes it difficult for a person to sense where their feet are with respect to the ground. This loss of feeling is called a loss of proprioception and increases the risk of falling. Some medications prescribed for diabetic nerve pain can also cause drowsiness, dizziness or weakness that further increases the risk of falling. Consider these steps towards reducing you or someone you care about risk of falling when they have diabetes:

Use night lights along the path to the bathroom and hallways at night. Our sense of balance depends on our nerves as well as sight. Vision becomes even more important when our nerves are damaged so make sure areas are well lit.

Beware of adverse of negative affects of medications such as drowsiness, dizziness or weakness that may increase your risk of falling. Consult your physician about changing medications if this occurs.

Avoid use of house slippers and flip flops. This type of footwear is loose on the foot and a lack of feeling in the feet makes them more likely to slide or twist off the foot and cause a fall

Avoid uneven terrain, especially in dimly light areas. Gravel surfaces, hills and inclines are more challenging and require more balance.

by: Robert Joseph Phd, DPM

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