Can the Medications You Take Increase Your Risk of Falling?
There are many things that can increase a senior’s risk of falling and one of the most common but often overlooked is the role of medications.
Seniors and their caregivers need to be aware of the medications that can put them at risk for falls.
In this article, I will discuss the role of medications in increasing the risk of falling among seniors and provide some tips on how to stay safe while taking medications.
What Factors Can Increase a Senior’s Risk of Falling?
There are many risk factors for falling among seniors, but they can be all classified under two distinct categories:
Extrinsic Factors
Extrinsic or external risk factors are the reasons for falling that are outside of one’s self. Extrinsic risk factors for falling may include:
- Fall or trip hazards in your surroundings.
- Poor lighting conditions.
- Ill-fitting footwear or assistive devices.
- Medications.
In an article I recently wrote, I explained how extrinsic risk factors are easy to modify but if left uncorrected accounts for 30-50% of falls among seniors!
Intrinsic Factors
Intrinsic or internal risk factors are the reasons for falling that can be attributed to your own body.
Intrinsic risk factors for falling may include:
- Poor vision.
- Deteriorating vestibular system (inner ear).
- Reduced physical activity.
- Presence of multiple medical conditions.
Intrinsic factors are relatively harder to modify or correct compared to extrinsic reasons for falling.
What Role Do Medications Play in Increasing the Risk of Falling Among Seniors?
Certain types of medication are more likely to cause problems with balance and coordination, which can lead to falls.
Medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression are all examples of drugs that can increase the risk of falling.
In addition, some pain medications and sleeping aids can also cause seniors to feel dizzy or drowsy, making falls more likely.
Seniors who take 4 or more medications (also called polypharmacy) are especially at risk, as the interactions between different drugs can compound the effects.
As a result, it is important for seniors to be aware of the potential risks associated with their medication and to avoid activities that could put them at risk for a fall.
What Steps Can You Take to Decrease Your Risk of Falling?
As we age, our bodies become less able to regulate our blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to dizziness and an increased risk of falling.
Medications can also have side effects that contribute to falls, such as drowsiness, impaired balance, and blurred vision.
To decrease your risk of falling, I recommend these next steps:
- Review all your medications with your doctor to ensure they are not contributing to dizziness or impaired balance.
- Ask your doctor if he/she can adjust the dosage, change the schedule, or replace your medications that have adverse side effects on your balance and equilibrium.
- Check your blood pressure regularly and maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly to maintain your muscle strength and improve your balance.
By taking these steps, you can decrease your risk of falling by as much as 30-50%!
Let’s Have a Discussion:
What about you? Were there medications you previously took that affected your balance? How did you notice this effect on you? What did you do to minimize their impact? How did your healthcare provider assist you?
Tags Healthy Aging
I now take BP meds every 2nd day & am monitoring my BP at home. My blood pressure hasn’t risen yet. I also take olive leaf extract which can lower BP over time. Any time I visit my Dr and she tests my BP its in the good range. I’ll tell her next time I visit. I dont think she will bother trying to convince me to get back to taking it daily when she knows im keeping an eye on it myself with my own monitor at home.
My cholesterol is a bit high (by the medical standards), and ive denied statins for years. Gave in a few years ago and was bluffed by my Dr at the time to take it. In less than a week I had serious shooting muscular pains so went off it. My current GP has given me numerous health checks, which were good, even if she considers my cholesterol is a bit high and has accepted ive said “no”. Ive researched what statins do and wont take coC10 to fix what the statins take away from my heart health. Its my body and my decision. We really do need to be involved in the medications we take.
Unfortunately I fall a lot due to a ear/balance problem. Exercise is very important. Strengthen your body, then even if you do fall, your body is not hurt so much
You do not list which medications can cause falling. You says “blood pressure medications” and later you advise us to “maintains healthy blood pressure.”