In a current television commercial, a lovable toddler lifts herself from the floor to a standing position and then dazzles her parents with her first steps across the room.In a current television commercial, a lovable toddler lifts herself from the floor to a standing position and then dazzles her parents with her first steps across the room.What a remarkable accomplishment!
She managed with her brain to synchronize her sight, the large and fine nerves governing the muscles in her legs and torso, and the intricate middle ear system, that directly affects overall balance. And she will just get more versatile as she grows. Odds are strong that in the next decade, she will be able to run and race, strut and stride, skate and ski, hop, skip, and jump. And with enough resources and will, she may be a dancer or an athlete.But that doesn’t mean improvement is never ending.
Humans are subject to entropy, just like the rest of the universe. Entropy , as scientists use it, is the natural process of decay. It means that everything ultimately falls apart. And humans aren’t immune.Another commercial on television illustrates. Aging women are seen on the floor, pleading, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” The commercial is not the most polished creation, but the plight of the women is undeniable. No one is immediately available to help. The problem is the damage is already done. The falls have already taken place. The human body naturally grows stronger generally for the first 25 years or so.
Then it starts to lose strength and organs begin to fail. And the organs that drive the balance system weaken too. For example, if the middle ear malfunctions, with errant vestiges of liquid or calcium, a person can suffer from vertigo, a circumstance causing severe dizziness or light-headedness. The soles of the feet may suffer from the wear and tear of a lifetime of walking, and soles and arches may become numb or tingle, interrupting the signals from the rest of the balance system. This is called neuropathy and is often triggered by diabetes. Eyesight may be affected. Glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration – as well as well as normal changes in sight — all affecting older persons disproportionately, can have a significant impact on balance systems.Medicine for hypertension can cause lightheadedness, and if older persons don’t account for the possibility of falling, they can be at risk through something designed to help.When the weakened balance system starts to affect normal activities of daily living, the normal home environment that represented safety and security, suddenly is replete with peril.
Those comfy throw rugs that warmed hard floors become objects to slip on or stumble over. Those uncluttered basement and porch stairs without railings are a clear path to a hard landing. Showers and toilets without grab bars provide no support to avoid slipping – or losing balance – in an unforgiving bathroom.What is the personal and societal impact? Well, over 40% of Americans over 65 admitted to hospital emergency rooms are there because of falls. That amounts to about 2.8 million people, 800,000 of which had to be hospitalized, according to the Center for Disease Control. More than 27,000 died.Those who survived went home at higher risk than they had before they fell. Falls not only affect people physically, but there is a substantial emotional toll and frequent loss of independence. The frequently live with heightened apprehension and fear.But all is not lost. We have available to us a solid medical infrastructure. So it behooves us to take advantage. It pays to consult with your family physician to check on medications and conditions that can affect balance. Visit your eye clinic at least once a year. Ask your foot doctor about sensible shoes. Consider attending one of the Area Agency on Aging’s “Matter of Balance” classes. Look into Tai Chi for balance help. Keep in mind physical therapy units have specific strength and balance regimens to turn back the ravages of unopposed aging. And keep walking, like that toddler. It’ll pay off.