huffingtonpost - 1 month ago

!function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement( iframe );t.display= none ,t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement( script );c.src= //cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js ,c.setAttribute( async , 1 ),c.setAttribute( type , text/javascript ),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document);(new Image()).src = https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb ;cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({ playerId : 8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb , mediaId : 09fb54e9-b866-443f-a6dd-599526561256 }).render( 693942bae4b0fc6751e2f4d2 );});As we age, a range of factors contribute to our rising fall risk. We lose muscle (sarcopenia), are more likely to face things like Parkinson’s and arthritis, and may be affected by dementia.Age UK, however, stresses that falls are not inevitable. Staying active and eating well can help to keep you steady on your feet, they say. On their page describing how over-65s should look after their bones, the NHS shared similar advice.They also recommended taking vitamin D supplements if you’re deficient, keeping your home as accident-proof as possible, and speaking to your doctor about your medications if any make you dizzy.However, they suggested taking two tests that not all of us would think of at first, too. Take an eye test and a hearing test, the NHS said“Falls are common, particularly in older people,” the health service’s “falls” page said. Some of these causes, they added, include “problems with your eyesight or hearing”. No wonder they list hearing and eye tests among their list of “things to consider to help prevent falls and fractures” for over-65s. “Poor eyesight can affect mobility and balance,” they wrote, while “ear problems can affect your balance” too.A 2015 study noted that: “Sight impairment increases with age and, compared with the general older population, older people with sight impairment are more likely to fall,” possibly because some may remain as active as usual in the home despite worse vision.And 2022 research also found that, “Hearing loss has been shown to be an independent risk factor for falls,” for reasons that don’t appear to be related to auditory input.What else should I do to help prevent falls? The first thing the NHS mentions is staying active. “Being inactive makes your muscles and bones lose strength,” they wrote.“This increases your risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures” – they recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, like walking and water aerobics, a week. They also suggest strength training, like lifting weights and even dancing, at least twice a week. Getting enough calcium, protein (older people tend not to get enough of the nutrient) and vitamin D can help too.Related...Eating These Foods More Than Once A Week May Weaken Your Bones Over Time, NHS SaysThe Terrifying Reason Hitting Your Funny Bone Hurts So Bad5 Things Bone Doctors Say You Should Never, Ever Do

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