Stand up to your increased risk of falling
Pop music has folks falling all over the place: There's Harry Styles' "Falling," Alan Walker's "All Falls Down," and Glen Hansard's "Falling Slowly." Turns out, older Americans are also falling a lot -- and with terrible results.
A Center for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that unintentional fall-related deaths have skyrocketed by 70% in the past 20 years for folks ages 65 to 74 and by more than 75% for those ages 75 to 84. In 2023, over half of the 41,000 folks who died from falling were 85 and older.
Why are falls increasing? The dual epidemics of obesity and Type 2 diabetes affect folks' balance, eyesight, hearing, nerves in the feet, muscle tone, and heart health. It could also result from increased use of medications that can cause dizziness, such as antihypertensives and antidepressants.
Whatever the cause, it's vital to protect yourself from falling. Exercises that strengthen leg muscles and improve balance include chair yoga, walking, strength-training, tai chi, and working out with stretchy bands. I practice balance for 1 minute a day by standing on each foot in a furniture-free corner (if I lose my balance, I can catch myself easily). I also take a "learn to fall" class at a ski resort every five years.
Maintaining a healthy weight is also important for balance, as is preventing, reversing or controlling your diabetes (great tips are in the free LongevityPlaybook.com newsletter). And if you're suffering from chronic inflammation and chronic conditions, explore the power of therapeutic plasma exchange to get you on firmer ground! (See the research at LifespanEdge.com.)
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Comments