5 Ways That Will Help You In Preventing Falls And Spinal Injuries
Falls are a leading cause of injury in elderly people. More surprising is the fact that these falls mostly occur at home, making other serious accidents secondary in causing spine-related injuries. This can be especially dangerous for people who have restricted mobility due to surgery or some other health condition such as back pain, neck pain, weak bones, or some other physical impairment. A minor looking fall can have serious repercussions for those who are already healing from a prior injury.
However, preventing falls is not that difficult of a task and can be done by following these 5 steps.
Step 1: Get Moving
The very first step to fitness is getting active and keeping the body moving. Exercise is a great way of ensuring flexibility and strength and can prevent a lot of accidents. If you are an elderly person, always make sure that all safety measures are followed in order to prevent injury. Be aware and always listen to your body. Each one of us has different limitations and with consistency and time, your body will get stronger too.
Step 2: Stay Vigilant
Vigilance is very important in preventing accidents. You should always be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of the surface that you’re walking on, whether it’s uneven or slippery. If you live with children then be wary of small sharp objects, cars, and other toys that can cause you to trip. Most accidents happen in poorly lit areas so make sure that you have ample lighting in your house. If you are passing a dark stretch and do not have a flashlight then make sure you walk very carefully.
Step 3: Proper Fitness Gear
So many injuries happen because of wrong-sized shoes and plastic soles. This makes them prone to slippery areas putting the person wearing them in danger. Whenever you go out for running or a walk make sure to wear the right type of shoes. The upper part of the shoes should be breathable and flexible so it facilitates foot movement.
Step 4: Stay updated with your health conditions
Sometimes medicine can lead to serious side-effects such as dizziness, nausea, and weakness. Before doing any strenuous exercise or task make sure to consult your doctor. If any of this is neglected then serious accidents can happen due to fainting.
Step 5: Never rush
With old age, the probability of fainting and feeling weak are very high. Most elderly complain about feeling dizzy after a meal, a strenuous task, or even after suddenly standing up. So, you should always get up slowly and do a limited amount of exertion as quick recovery is not easy in old age.
These are only preventive measures and can be highly impactful in preventing fall-related spine injuries if taken seriously. Exercise and movement for the body are very important if you want to ensure long-term health for yourself.
