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Falls, frostbite, fractures: They are all potential hazards of icy winter conditions. But experts say there's a lot you can do to avoid injury when snowflakes fall.

First, stay warm.

According to the New York City Department of Health, people lose the bulk of their body heat through their heads, so scarves, hats and hoods are essential.

Other trouble spots -- ...

Seniors with vision issues are at much higher risk for dangerous falls, new research confirms.

Compared to seniors with good vision, the odds for a fall rose by 38% for seniors with glaucoma, 36% for those with cataracts and 25% for seniors with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), say a team reporting Dec. 28 in the journal

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 29, 2023
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  • The risk of falls increases in older age, and along with it, the risk for serious physical or psychological damage, but there are steps people can take to help prevent these accidents.

    Each year, about 27% of adults 65 and older fall and about 10% of those are injured.

    “If you've experienced a fall or have a fear of falling, you are at a higher risk of falling. Once an older adult...

    When it comes to falling down stairs, young women are more prone to take a tumble than their male counterparts.

    According to a new study, this is because they are more likely to be distracted or to wear impractical footwear.

    Going down a staircase while talking or texting on the phone or engaging in other distractions is an invitation to take a header, researchers report. Women were...

    A federal website intended to help people choose a nursing home not only contains inaccurate information, but those inaccuracies appear to be at least partially driven by race, a new study reports.

    The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Nursing Home Care Compare website in the 1990s to publicly report patient safety indicators for every nursing facility ...

    Older Americans are dying of falls at more than double the rate of 20 years ago -- with women, men and all racial groups showing increases, according to a new study.

    In 2020, the study found, just over 36,500 Americans age 65 and up died of a fall-related injury. That was up from roughly 10,100 deaths in 1999.

    Adjusted for age, those numbers translated into a more than twofold incre...

    For older Americans, a fall is no laughing matter.

    According to the National Council on Aging, more than 1 in 4 people over age 65 fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among the elderly. However, falls are not a normal part of aging.

    So why do the elder...

    Sen. Mitch McConnell is back home more than two weeks after he fell at a private dinner and was hospitalized with a concussion and broken rib.

    The Senate Minority Leader spent five days in the hospital and the remainder of the 2-1/2 weeks following his fall in inpatient physical therapy.

    “I'm in frequent touch with my Senate colleagues and my staff,” McConnell said in a

    There's nothing like the comfort and security of home. For many, a home is a place filled with fond memories of happy times.

    It's no wonder older adults choose to extend their independence by trying to stay in their homes as they get older, an experience called aging in place.

    But as a person ages, what used to be ordinary in the home can be challenging or even a hazard. Almost one-...

    Nearly one-third of older people fall each year, most of them in their own homes. But it's possible to reduce those numbers by a quarter, according to a new study.

    Five steps can cut the risk of falls by 26%, the researchers reported in the March 10 issue of the Cochrane Database of ...

    While older women are treated for falls more often than elderly males, men are more likely to sustain skull fractures when they topple over, new research suggests.

    This is a serious concern because more than 3 million people aged 65 and older are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for falls.

    “The high incidence of head injury and subsequent skull fractures due to fal...

    More than 700,000 older Americans rely on public transportation to get to and from their medical appointments.

    That's roughly 1 in 10 seniors who live in cities.

    But when individuals were frail, or used a wheelchair, or sidewalks along their route were damaged, they were less likely to take the subway or bus, pointing to a need for improvement, according to a

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 27, 2022
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  • Every year, anywhere from 700,000 to 1 million people fall while in U.S. hospitals, and this often triggers a downward health spiral.

    Little has been shown to make a dent in those numbers. Until now.

    Enter Smart Socks, which are wired with sensors that send an alert...

    A new report delivers a troubling statistic: Seven in 10 consumer product-related deaths occur among those over 65, even though these people only account for 16% of the U.S. population.

    Each year, consumer products are linked to roughly 3,800 deaths and nearly 3 million emergency department visits among older Americans, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

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  • March 9, 2022
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  • Almost everyone has had a dizzy spell after standing up too quickly, but some people suffer them regularly. Now, a new study suggests two do-it-yourself ways to help.

    The study focused on what's called initial orthostatic hypotension (IOH), where a person's blood pressure drops sharply within...

    An overactive bladder isn't just a nuisance and a source of embarrassment. For the elderly, it can also trigger a potentially fatal fall, a Canadian study says.

    Falls are the leading ca...

    Blows to the head are common among America's kids, with close to 7% showing signs of a brain injury at some time in childhood, U.S. health officials report.

    Sports, falls and abuse are likely causes, experts say.

    Concussions and other head injuries are more common among white kids than Black or Hispanic kids. And prevalence increases with age -- from 2% in children up to 5 years ol...

    Older blood thinners, especially when taken in combination with daily low-dose aspirin, are associated with a higher risk of brain bleeds and death after hospital discharge in patients treated for head injury, new research shows.

    The risk fell when patients were taking one of the newer blood thinners, said the authors of a study presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological ...

    A holiday visit with older relatives might be a good chance to help them remove fall risks in their home, an expert suggests.

    Older adults' risk of falling may have increased during the pandemic due to declines in physical activity and mobility, along with increased isolation, a University of Michigan poll shows. Many also became more fearful of falling, which, in turn, can increase the r...

    Seniors, looking for a way to stay mentally quick and physically strong? Start scrubbing.

    Researchers from Singapore say housework may be a key to keeping your brain sharp as you age.

    Their new study found that in older adults, cleaning house was tied to a better memory and attention span, a...

    Your Jack-o'-Lantern may be more than scary -- it could be dangerous.

    Pumpkin carving is the leading cause of injuries associated with Halloween, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

    Between October and November 2018 in the United States, 44% of Halloween-linked injuries were connected with pumpkin-carving activities.

    More than one-quarter of Halloween-rel...

    Movement can be very difficult for people with Parkinson's disease, as shaking and stiffness play havoc with balance, coordination and gait.

    There are many different tricks Parkinson's patients can use to improve their walking and avoid injury from a bad tumble -- but a new study reveals that people often have to figure them out on their own, with no help from either a doctor or physical ...

    Older Americans already face a higher risk of falls, but the decline in physical activity during the pandemic may have made matters worse, a new survey suggests.

    More than a third of the 2,074 U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 who took part in the online survey in January reported a decline in physical activity in the first 10 months of the pandemic, and 27% said their physical conditioning -- fl...

    Illustrating a heartbreaking cycle, new research finds that lonely seniors are much more likely to take opioid painkillers, sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs and other medications.

    This puts them at increased risk for drug dependency, attention problems, falls, accidents and mental decline, the University of California, San Francisco researchers warned.

    "There's a misconception that as ...

    Among older Americans, deaths from falls are up sharply, dovetailing with a surge in use of medications that increase the risk of falling, researchers say.

    Two decades ago, about 57% of U.S. seniors took medications that increased their risk of falls. By 2017, that number had risen to 94%, and deaths caused by falls had more than doubled, a new study found.

    The medications are meant...

    Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes.

    "One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to the emergency room this time of year is from slipping on icy sidewalks," said Dr. David Hasleton, senior medical director of emergency medicine and tra...

    Outdoor activities can help you keep fit this winter while staying safe from COVID-19, but you need to take precautions to reduce your risk of injury, an expert says.

    Skiing and snowboarding are good examples. Falls are common in these sports, but proper technique and safety gear can reduce the risk of injury.

    Each year, nearly 120,000 ski- and snowboard-related injuries are treated...

    High doses of vitamin D may increase seniors' risk of falls, rather than reduce it, according to a new study.

    Preliminary studies suggested vitamin D may increase muscle strength and improve balance, so Johns Hopkins researchers investigated whether high doses of vitamin D might reduce the risk of falls in people aged 70 and older.

    But the investigators found that large doses of vit...

    Strong sleeping pills known as "Z-drugs" may increase the risk of falls, fractures and stroke among people with dementia, British researchers report.

    People with dementia can have trouble sleeping and are often prescribed drugs such as zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien) and zopiclone to help them nod off, but higher doses of these drugs can have negative effects.

    "As many as 90% o...

    A new toolkit to help reduce falls and fall-related injuries among hospital patients is highly effective, a new study shows.

    Falls are the leading cause of preventable injury, so researchers set out to create a fall prevention toolkit for patients and their families.

    It includes measures such as a laminated poster to display by patients' beds, and personalized prevention plans that ...

    Preventing falls in older age could be as fun as dancing them away, new research shows.

    Researchers found a 31% reduction in falls and a 37% reduction in fall risk for those aged 65 and older when reviewing clinical trials on "dance-based mind-motor activities" from around the world.

    "We were positively surprised by the consistency of our results," said study author ...

    In older people a fall can sometimes be a sign of oncoming Alzheimer's disease, even in the absence of mental issues, new research suggests.

    Although falls are common among older people, in some cases they can be a sign of hidden mental problems that can lead to dementia, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

    Older people who hav...

    A major cause of falls in older people is more common among Parkinson's patients, and monitoring for the condition might lower patients' risks, new research shows.

    Ever feel dizzy and lightheaded when you suddenly stand up? It's caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure -- a condition doctors call orthostatic hypotension and it can lead sometimes to fainting and falling down.

    ...

    Falling off a ladder can cause long-lasting mental and physical health problems, researchers say.

    The new study included 134 people who fell off ladders and were seen at the emergency departments of two hospitals in Queensland, Australia, between October 2015 and October 2016.

    More than half of the patients were men over 55 and most were injured while doing chores around the...

    Physically active U.S. veterans are more likely to fall but less likely to get hurt when they do, compared with inactive older adults who didn't serve in the military, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed 2006-2015 data from nearly 12,000 veterans and nearly 37,000 others. Compared to non-veterans, vets had 11% more falls that didn't result in injuries, but 28% fewer falls...

    As you shelter at home during the coronavirus pandemic, eliminate hazards inside that could lead to falls, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests.

    Preventing injuries will help avoid putting added strain on a health care system struggling to treat COVID-19 patients, academy spokesman Dr. Todd Swenning said.

    One out of five falls causes a serious injury,...

    People with Parkinson's disease often have eye problems, which can interfere with their daily activities and increase their risk for falls, researchers say.

    "It is especially important for people with Parkinson's to have the best vision possible because it can help compensate for movement problems caused by the disease, and help reduce the risk of falls," according to the author of a ...

    Many hospitals use bedside "sitters" to protect patients from falling, but a new review finds little evidence the tactic works.

    However, researchers said the problem is a lack of rigorous studies -- and not proof that bedside sitters are ineffective. So it would be premature to abandon the practice.

    "We've been doing this for years," said Dr. Cathy Schubert, a geriatrics spe...

    Bad balance is a common cause of dangerous falls, especially among older adults. Falls send more than 2 million adults to the emergency room every year and often result in lengthy rehab stays.

    Preventing falls is a priority for staying healthy and preventing painful broken bones as you age. Easy strength and balance exercises that you can do anytime, anywhere, such as tai chi and yoga...

    Vitamin D deficiency is linked with poor muscle health in older adults, a new study finds.

    Maintaining muscle health helps seniors maintain their independence, mobility and quality of life. It also lowers their risk of falls and frailty.

    Researchers looked at more than 4,100 people, aged 60 and older, in England. About 4 in 10 with vitamin D deficiency had muscle weakness --...

    Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is recovering in a Georgia hospital after he broke his pelvis in a fall at his home on Monday night.

    "He has been admitted to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center for observation and treatment of a minor pelvic fracture," said a statement issued early Tuesday by The Carter Center. "He is in good spirits and is looking forward to recovering at home."

    <...

    Intensive treatment to lower high blood pressure can decrease older adults' risk of sharp blood pressure drops that can cause dizziness and increase the likelihood of falling, a new study says.

    It included more than 2,800 patients, average age 63, who had recently suffered a stroke.

    Half received more aggressive treatment to lower their blood pressure to below 130/80 mm Hg. ...

    Driving is a source of independence for many seniors, so determining when they should hang up the keys requires careful consideration, an expert says.

    "Driving retirement is a normal part of aging, and should be carefully considered and discussed openly," said Dr. Ericka Tung, an internist and geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

    "Primary care providers are u...

    For seniors who've been hospitalized for non-cardiac conditions, any hike in blood pressure medications as they leave the hospital can prove dangerous, new research shows.

    That's because the prescription change may not help and could do harm -- putting them at higher risk for falls and other health issues, investigators said.

    "During hospitalization, patients' blood pressur...

    Make sure rubber, not your skin, meets the road: When skin touches sunbaked pavement, serious burns can quickly set in.

    In sizzling regions like the Southwestern United States, all it takes for a severe burn is 2 seconds of unprotected skin-on-asphalt contact, experts say.

    "Our research shows that in our city, the risk starts when the ambient temperature reaches 95 degrees F...

    Serious falls aren't the sole domain of seniors: New research shows they are a significant risk among middle-aged adults.

    Why?

    Blame multiple prescription medications, as well as alcohol and illegal drug use, a new study suggests.

    Health care providers "typically think about falls in people over age 65. But these people were primarily in their 50s and falls were an...

    Guarding against falls isn't just for the elderly. The inner ear's ability to maintain balance can begin to decline as early as age 40, according to a study in Frontiers of Neurology. So the time to improve your balance is now.

    Strong legs and flexible ankles help prevent falls and allow you to catch yourself if you do trip, so target these areas through exercise. Here are thre...

    Deaths from falls are increasing sharply among elderly Americans, a new study finds.

    Nearly 25,000 people 75 and older died as a result of falls in 2016 -- almost three times as many as in 2000. And experts warn that the toll is likely to rise along with population shifts.

    "As the United States population continues to age, we can expect more deaths from falls," said researc...

    Fall-related injuries are a major reason why seniors are readmitted to the hospital within a month after being discharged, a new study finds.

    "Falls are a trifecta in terms of reasons why they need an increased focus," said principal investigator Geoffrey Hoffman, an assistant professor in the University of Michigan's School of Nursing. "They are highly prevalent, cause a lot of damag...

    A fainting-related fall that caused nerve damage in his right hand could explain why Leonardo da Vinci's painting skills declined later in life, a new paper suggests.

    The report, published as the world marks the 500th anniversary of the artist's death, contradicts the common belief that da Vinci's difficulties stemmed from a stroke.

    To arrive at that conclusion, the report a...