Articles on Falls and other Injuries

An injury is damage or harm caused to the structure or function of the body caused by an outside agent or force.  Different types of injuries include the following:

Amputation: the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery.
Bruise: a hemorrhage under the skin caused by contusion.
Burns: caused by excess heat, chemical exposure, or sometimes cold (frostbite).
Concussion: a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, without any penetration into the skull or brain.
Fractures: injuries to bones.
Joint dislocation: the displacement of a bone from its normal joint.
Shock: a serious medical condition where the tissues cannot obtain sufficient oxygen and nutrients.
Sprain: a sudden overstretching that causes a tear in the ligaments and the muscles.
Wound: cuts and grazes to or through the skin that cause bleeding.

05/13/2011 - Articles
Broken Hip

Broken Hip: How to Survive a Broken Hip?

A broken hip is a complete or partial break in the proximal end of the femur (also called thighbone), near the hip joint..About 300,000 Americans are hospitalized for a broken hip every year. Falls leading to a broken hip are fairly common in older folk. The outcome after surgery seems to depend a lot on the risk of postoperative complications, which themselves are influenced by the general health of the patient before their injury. Read more

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01/28/2011 - Articles

Prevention of falls in the community

Falls are a major cause of disability and loss of independence among older people. Many different ways of preventing falls have been suggested and tried but it is not yet clear what the best falls prevention ‘package’ might be. Researchers in Nottingham, UK, now present evidence that a multi-faceted falls prevention program in the community can deliver positive results. Read more

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05/20/2010 - Articles

Copper deficiency may cause poor balance

Poor balance because of problems with one’s sense of spatial awareness (known as proprioception) is sometimes attributed to vitamin B12 deficiency. In fact, new research from experts in London suggests that copper deficiency may be the real cause. Copper is needed as a component of several proteins involved in proper nervous system functioning. Copper deficiency can occur after gastric surgery because of poor absorption of copper from food. Another cause is taking in too much zinc, which competes with copper in binding to transporter proteins that carry it round the body. Read more

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03/03/2010 - Articles

Calcium and vitamin D prevent fractures

Vitamin D plays a role in preventing the risk of fractures according to scientific evidence. However, some studies have shown it has no effect, so we need to know more about which dose of vitamin D to use, who can benefit most, and whether it is more effective when used with calcium. The DIPART (vitamin D Individual Patient Analysis of Randomized Trials) study aims to settle this question by looking at studies of vitamin D alone and vitamin D plus calcium. They found seven such trials to analyze, covering over 68,000 older people. Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Increased Vitamin A Intake May Raise the Fracture Risk

It looks as if a high intake of vitamin A may actually increase the risk of breaking a bone when you fall... Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Hip Fracture Risk

Vitamin D may be an overlooked nutrient when it comes to reducing the risk for hip fractures according to the results of this study conducted in two Boston-area hospitals. Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

I get dizzy!

As many as one in three older people complain that they get dizzy spells. Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Can Too Much Vitamin A Weaken Your Bones?

A high intake of vitamin A may increase your risk of bone fracture, according to a 30-year study conducted in Swedish men . . . . Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Choosing the best surgical treatment of hip fractures

Is hip replacement (arthroplasty) the most cost-effective and beneficial treatment for hip fractures? It depends. Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Vitamin D Strengthens Muscles and Prevents Falls

It seems that vitamin D has a specific effect in the elderly - improving muscle strength, thus improving their chances of avoiding falls. Read more

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