Falls (The ^AFacts Series)

Falling over is something that we have all experienced. As we grow older, the deterioration in our balance, underlying illnesses or disabilities can result in more falls. Currently, one in eight patients in hospital are admitted due to a fall, and 50% of people over 80 years old fall every year. Many people see falling as an inevitable part of growing older and it can result in serious injuries. What many people do not realise is that it is almost always possible to reduce the chances of them happening, or make our environments safer for when they do happen. This book covers all aspects of falls, explaining why they happen, the common consequences, and what can be done to prevent them. It is intended for patients and their families, but will also be of value for health professionals at all levels. __Falls: The Facts__ is an informative and practical guide, containing advice on what to do and how to cope when falls occur. It includes personal accounts of patients and their relatives to illustrate true experiences, and the positive outcomes that treatment can produce. Contents 10 1 Introduction 12 2 How do we stay upright? 16 3 Why do people fall? 24 4 What causes simple falls? Trips, slips, and the effects of illness 28 5 How do poor balance and muscle weakness contribute to falls? 32 6 Difficulty in walking and poor gait 40 7 What causes giddiness? 44 8 What is vertigo? 50 9 How can the heart and circulation contribute to falls? 54 10 Medicines and falls 76 11 Confusion, poor memory, and falls 88 12 Visual problems that can contribute to falls 92 13 How does neurological disease cause falls? 100 14 Osteoporosis and falls 110 15 Fear of falling 120 16 How do falls affect the family and carers? 124 17 How to improve strength and balance 136 18 What is the role of falls groups and exercise classes? 144 19 How can your world be made safer? 154 20 How can walking aids help? 162 21 What role do diet and vitamin deficiencies have in causing falls? 168 22 What causes falls in care homes? 172 23 Why do people fall in hospital? 176 24 What should I do if I fall? 186 Glossary 190 A 190 B 190 C 191 D 191 F 191 G 191 H 192 I 192 L 192 M 192 O 192 P 192 S 193 T 193 V 193 Index 194 A 194 B 194 C 195 D 195 E 196 F 196 G 197 H 197 I 197 J 197 K 197 L 197 M 197 N 198 O 198 P 199 Q 199 R 199 S 199 T 200 U 200 V 200 W 201 Y 201 Z 201 Many people see falling as an inevitable part of growing older, and falls can result in serious injuries. As we age, deterioration in our ability to maintain balance, underlying illnesses, or disabilities can result in falls. Currently, one in eight patients in hospital are admitted due to a fall, and 50% of people over 80 years old fall every year. It is almost always possible to minimize the chances of falling, and to make our personal environment safer for when falls do occur. This book covers all aspects of falls, explaining why they happen, the common consequences, and what can be done to prevent them. It is intended for patients and their families, but will also be of value for health professionals at all levels. Falls: The Facts is an informative and practical guide, containing advice on what to do and how to cope when falls occur. It includes personal accounts of patients and their relatives to illustrate true experiences, and the positive outcomes that treatment can produce. Content: 1. Introduction 2. How do we stay upright? 3. Why do people fall? 4. What causes simple falls? Trips, slips, and the effects of illness 5. How do poor balance and muscle weakness contribute to falls? 6. Difficulty walking and poor gait 7. What causes giddiness? 8. What is vertigo? 9. How can the heart and circulation contribute to falls? 10. Medicines and falls 11. Confusion, poor memory and falls 12. Visual problems that can contribute to falls 13. How does neurological disease cause falls? 14. Osteoporosis and falls 15. Fear of falling 16. How do falls affect the family and carers? 17. How to improve strength and balance 18. What is the role of falls groups and exercise classes? 19. How can your world be made safer? 20. How can walking aids help? 21. What role do diet and vitamin deficiencies have in causing falls? 22. What causes falls in care homes? 23. Why do people fall in hosptial? 24. What should I do if I fall? "Falls: The Facts is an informative and practical guide, containing advice on what to do and how to cope when falls occur. It includes personal accounts of patients and their relatives to illustrate true experiences, and the positive outcomes that treatment can produce."--Jacket This book will cover all aspects of falls in the elderly, explaining why they happen, what the common consequences are, and what should be done to prevent them. It is intended for patients and their families, but will also be of value for health professionals at all levels.