Should you seek medical care after a fall?

It’s something that happens all the time. You stumble a little, maybe trip on a crack in the sidewalk or lose your balance while trying to reach the top shelf in the pantry… and find yourself on the ground. What feels like a simple little fall may be more dangerous than you think, especially for older adults. But how can you know if you should seek medical care after a fall?

Geriatric medicine specialist Rachelle Gajadhar, MD, explained why falls are so risky as you age and what signs of a serious injury to watch for.

Why would falls be more dangerous for older adults?

“As we age, we lose bone density and experience muscle loss,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “Osteoporosis and osteopenia, conditions that cause your bones to be weaker and more porous, make you far more likely to break a bone when you fall.”

Older adults are also more likely to be taking daily medications such as blood thinners for common medical problems that can lead to blood clots Unfortunately, these medications can also cause a simple bump on the head to quickly become life-threatening bleeding.

What other factors might make someone more vulnerable to falling and the risk of serious injury?

“One big risk factor is vision impairment,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “Our vision changes over time, and an increase in difficulty seeing details could mean hitting the sharp corner of the coffee table or misjudging how far you need to step to avoid an obstacle in your environment.”

Other risk factors for falls and serious injury as a result include:

• Fear or concern about falling due to feeling off balance
• A home environment that isn’t safe to move around in
• Obstacles in the community, such as uneven pavement or stepping up on curbs.
• Poor nutrition
• Physical inactivity

When should you seek medical attention after a fall?

“Even a fall that feels minor could have resulted in a serious injury that you just can’t immediately see,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “I recommend that you seek medical care if you’re experiencing pain anywhere after a fall and especially if you either hit your head, or you might have hit your head but you’re not sure.”

Even if you get right back up and everything seems fine, you could still be seriously injured and just not realize it right away. Pay close attention to the signals your body is sending. Sometimes it takes a little time before the pain kicks in. Keep an eye out for weakness, tingling or numbness, dizziness, mood changes or any signs of a potential concussion.

Symptoms of a head injury can develop hours or even days after a fall

“More than half of fall deaths among older adults are due to a brain injury,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “It’s essential to seek medical care if you hit your head, even if you don’t feel it hit all that hard.”

Dr. Gajadhar emphasized that a concussion is considered a mild brain injury. Signs of a concussion include:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Confusion
• Feeling sluggish and groggy
• Irritation or mood changes
• A sense that something is “just not right”

In the case of a severe brain injury, symptoms could appear hours or even days after you hit your head. Seek emergency medical care if you are experiencing loss of consciousness for an extended time, slurred speech, loss of coordination, extreme drowsiness, unequal pupil size, sudden vision changes and seizures or convulsion.

What to do immediately after a fall

“Let’s say you fall down and you’re pretty sure that you’re not injured,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “There are a few things I recommend you do before trying to get back up.”

First, give yourself a minute to check your body for signs of injury. Is there redness? Tenderness? Pain? Next, make sure you are able to get up on your own. Others may offer you a helping hand, but it’s important to make sure you can stand up on your own power. If you’re unable to get up on your own after 20 minutes, call 911.

If you are able to stand, take your time. Trying to hurry could only lead to falling again. Take it slow and make sure you feel steady on your feet before you start moving again.

What are some things people should not do immediately following a serious fall?

“Never, ever ignore any pain or a blow to the head,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “Don’t drive yourself to the hospital, as symptoms of your injury could kick in while you’re driving and make your trip to the hospital dangerous to yourself and those around you.”

Call someone to drive you or call 911 for an ambulance.

Preventing another fall after you’ve experienced one

“Those who have been injured by a fall in the past are often very worried about it happening again,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “Think over the circumstances surrounding your fall and what you can maybe change about the environment to lower the risk of it happening again.”

For example, if you tripped on a throw rug or items on the stairs or in your path, remove those items to create clear pathways in your home. If you fell after slipping in the shower, consider buying a nonslip mat, available at most stores that sell home goods, or having a bar installed in the shower that you can hold onto for balance. A ‘shower seat’ may also be a good idea for increased safety.

If you don’t know what caused the fall, make an appointment to discuss this with your doctor.

What is one misconception about falls that you wish more people understood?

“There’s this idea that being injured by a fall is an inevitable part of aging,” said Dr. Gajadhar. “Falls are not and should not be considered just part of getting older. There’s a lot we can do to prevent falls from happening!”

Your doctor, especially if they work regularly with older adults, may have good advice on what steps you can take at home to prevent fall injuries.