As we age, the chance of falling might rise due to factors like declining muscle strength, vision impairments, and foot troubles. A McMaster University study found that 20–30% of senior citizens in Canada fell at least once each year. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent falling, such as visiting a podiatrist to keep your feet stable and in good health.
Falls and their causes: a podiatrist's evaluation of the condition of your feet
Avoiding a fall can also keep you safe from more serious health problems. There are many factors that can contribute to falls, including an unsuitable surroundings, vision problems, altered reflexes, chronic pain, and the use of certain drugs that affect attention. They shouldn't, however, take away from how crucial your feet are to keeping up a solid gait.
Red signs include bunions, a lack of ankle flexibility, or a loss of balance should not be disregarded. The best method to identify potential issues and prevent falls is to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Your doctor can help you by suggesting a walking and balancing test so that treatment, exercises, or a foot orthosis can be recommended.
Your footwear selection is similarly important. The following qualities should be considered when purchasing shoes:
The sole—is it non-slip?
How stable are the heels' widths?
Will my ankles be supported?
Does using an orthopedic insole make sense?
DrLuigi medical footwear meets all conditions. It is made of a comfortable polyurethane sole and a terry cloth upper. Such a sole prevents slipping. Falls in old age can be extremely dangerous.
Health consequences
Falling has consequences on both a moral and physical level. The majority of persons 65 years of age and above fall into the sensitive category in the population because of their fragile bone structure and weaker protective reflexes. In fact, falling can lead to serious medical problems like fractures and concussions.
Falls are the leading cause of death for those over the age of 65. They are also the leading cause of pelvic fractures in women, which makes it difficult to carry out daily duties and lowers quality of life.
A frequent phobia that can vary in severity is the fear of falling. If this fear spreads, it may make people anxious and less likely to go outside, take a stroll, or partake in potentially dangerous activities.
L.F.
07.10.2022.