Page 78 - Issue4-November2017_online_opt
P. 78
PREOVLEDNETRINAGDFUALLTLSS IN uSee a podiatrist if you suffer from foot
HOW TO STAY ON YOUR TOES problems, e.g., numbness, skin ulcer-
AND GUARD YOUR HEALTH ation, or circulation issues caused by dia-
Iby Levi Atanelov, MD betes or peripheral vascular disease.
t is my zechus to address our kehila concerns about your balance, contact us; uMonthly or weekly vitamin D supple-
on the important topic of fall pre- we can help you stay stable. mentation (e.g., 50,000 units) increases
vention in the elderly. As a physical risk of falls and fractures (perhaps be-
medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) For lower risk older adults, here are cause high doses make muscles less re-
physician, I would like to share with some recommendations for keeping your sponsive to the circulating vitamin D). If
you some facts and ideas about fall balance steady. (Please note: I urge you you’re taking such supplements, discuss
to discuss these details with your prima- this with your doctor.
ry care doctor, who knows you and your uAvoid calcium supplements, which re-
cent studies have shown are associated
prevention that may save you or your body. As with most things, these sugges- with risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Instead, eat calcium-rich foods to meet
loved ones’ lives. While we know that tions will be more appropriate to some your daily calcium requirements, e.g., a
fist-size serving of cheese or yogurt three
everything is in Hashem’s hands, we also people than others.) times a day. Similarly, consume protein
to keep your muscles strong.
have the mitzva of “V’nishmartem meod uGet your vision checked and attend to uSign up for Stepping On Fall Preven-
tion Class.
l’nafshoseichem,” to take appropriate any vision problems, such as cataracts,
Again, please speak to your doctor
precautions to guard our health, which promptly. Avoid bi-focal lenses. If you are before implementing these ideas, as
some of them may not be right for you!
is the background to this article and to at risk of falling, you should own two dif-
So, you may be wondering, what is a
the approach I take with my patients. ferent pairs of glasses. “falls doctor” and why would you need
one? Although physical therapy is often
Are you or someone you know at high uMaintain an active lifestyle, for exam- helpful for people who fall, new evidence
backed by the CDC recommends that
risk of falling? According to the Centers ple by walking at least 30 minutes a day, falls be managed by doctors. Some med-
ical specialists focus on specific issues
for Disease Control (CDC), a person who 5 days a week. (Of course, if you haven’t that lead to falls – for example, otolaryn-
gologists specialize in falls due to inner
has fallen once or twice over the past 12 been active until now, start slowly and ear problems. Working at Johns Hopkins,
however, I had the luxury to learn from
months with a resulting traumatic injury build up to it.) other specialists and to develop a “one-
stop shop” model to falling to help avoid
(for example, a broken hip) is likely to be uExercise to strengthen your legs (you multiple physician visits.
at high risk of falls. If you or one of your may need a personal trainer for this). Using training in biomechanics and
a whole-person approach, the Johns
loved ones is in this category, prevent- Weight-bearing exercise (e.g., walking, Hopkins Falls Prevention Clinic, where I
serve as the medical director, accurately
ing further falls is crucial. Some people running) is good for strengthening bones diagnoses the specific conditions causing
falls and creates an individualized, com-
believe themselves impervious to future and preventing bone fractures. prehensive, goal-driven, evidence-backed
management plan for each of its patients.
falls, despite having fallen “only” a few uSign up for a Tai Chi class at your local
Recently, I decided to bring the sci-
times and suffering “only” a few broken senior center to help improve your bal- ence of fall prevention to the community
and started Steady Strides: Fall Preven-
bones. If you or someone you know is in ance. This will teach you to stand and tion and Stroke Rehabilitation Medi-
cal Institute in Owings Mills. For more
this category, here are some more facts move with mindfulness. information, or to have any questions
answered, you can contact our office at
that may put things into perspective: uGet rid of tripping hazards such as (443) 898-8160, hello@steadystridesmd.
com, or through our website at www.
uSome 95 percent of hip fractures are throw rugs or clutter in your home. Pets steadystridesmd.com.u
caused by falls, with a subsequent ap- like dogs and cats are a common tripping
proximately 30 percent mortality rate and hazard, so take precautions.
50 percent resulting necessity of nursing uInstall night-lights to illuminate your
home care for a year after the injury. path to the bathroom at night. If you
uFalls are the most common cause of wake up more than three times at night
brain injury in elderly adults. to urinate or you have bladder inconti-
If you or someone you know is high nence, it may be wise to see a urologist.
risk, don’t wait – get help. Even if you uDon’t wear flip-flops or other slippery
haven’t had a traumatic fall but you have footgear.
70 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
HOW TO STAY ON YOUR TOES problems, e.g., numbness, skin ulcer-
AND GUARD YOUR HEALTH ation, or circulation issues caused by dia-
Iby Levi Atanelov, MD betes or peripheral vascular disease.
t is my zechus to address our kehila concerns about your balance, contact us; uMonthly or weekly vitamin D supple-
on the important topic of fall pre- we can help you stay stable. mentation (e.g., 50,000 units) increases
vention in the elderly. As a physical risk of falls and fractures (perhaps be-
medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) For lower risk older adults, here are cause high doses make muscles less re-
physician, I would like to share with some recommendations for keeping your sponsive to the circulating vitamin D). If
you some facts and ideas about fall balance steady. (Please note: I urge you you’re taking such supplements, discuss
to discuss these details with your prima- this with your doctor.
ry care doctor, who knows you and your uAvoid calcium supplements, which re-
cent studies have shown are associated
prevention that may save you or your body. As with most things, these sugges- with risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Instead, eat calcium-rich foods to meet
loved ones’ lives. While we know that tions will be more appropriate to some your daily calcium requirements, e.g., a
fist-size serving of cheese or yogurt three
everything is in Hashem’s hands, we also people than others.) times a day. Similarly, consume protein
to keep your muscles strong.
have the mitzva of “V’nishmartem meod uGet your vision checked and attend to uSign up for Stepping On Fall Preven-
tion Class.
l’nafshoseichem,” to take appropriate any vision problems, such as cataracts,
Again, please speak to your doctor
precautions to guard our health, which promptly. Avoid bi-focal lenses. If you are before implementing these ideas, as
some of them may not be right for you!
is the background to this article and to at risk of falling, you should own two dif-
So, you may be wondering, what is a
the approach I take with my patients. ferent pairs of glasses. “falls doctor” and why would you need
one? Although physical therapy is often
Are you or someone you know at high uMaintain an active lifestyle, for exam- helpful for people who fall, new evidence
backed by the CDC recommends that
risk of falling? According to the Centers ple by walking at least 30 minutes a day, falls be managed by doctors. Some med-
ical specialists focus on specific issues
for Disease Control (CDC), a person who 5 days a week. (Of course, if you haven’t that lead to falls – for example, otolaryn-
gologists specialize in falls due to inner
has fallen once or twice over the past 12 been active until now, start slowly and ear problems. Working at Johns Hopkins,
however, I had the luxury to learn from
months with a resulting traumatic injury build up to it.) other specialists and to develop a “one-
stop shop” model to falling to help avoid
(for example, a broken hip) is likely to be uExercise to strengthen your legs (you multiple physician visits.
at high risk of falls. If you or one of your may need a personal trainer for this). Using training in biomechanics and
a whole-person approach, the Johns
loved ones is in this category, prevent- Weight-bearing exercise (e.g., walking, Hopkins Falls Prevention Clinic, where I
serve as the medical director, accurately
ing further falls is crucial. Some people running) is good for strengthening bones diagnoses the specific conditions causing
falls and creates an individualized, com-
believe themselves impervious to future and preventing bone fractures. prehensive, goal-driven, evidence-backed
management plan for each of its patients.
falls, despite having fallen “only” a few uSign up for a Tai Chi class at your local
Recently, I decided to bring the sci-
times and suffering “only” a few broken senior center to help improve your bal- ence of fall prevention to the community
and started Steady Strides: Fall Preven-
bones. If you or someone you know is in ance. This will teach you to stand and tion and Stroke Rehabilitation Medi-
cal Institute in Owings Mills. For more
this category, here are some more facts move with mindfulness. information, or to have any questions
answered, you can contact our office at
that may put things into perspective: uGet rid of tripping hazards such as (443) 898-8160, hello@steadystridesmd.
com, or through our website at www.
uSome 95 percent of hip fractures are throw rugs or clutter in your home. Pets steadystridesmd.com.u
caused by falls, with a subsequent ap- like dogs and cats are a common tripping
proximately 30 percent mortality rate and hazard, so take precautions.
50 percent resulting necessity of nursing uInstall night-lights to illuminate your
home care for a year after the injury. path to the bathroom at night. If you
uFalls are the most common cause of wake up more than three times at night
brain injury in elderly adults. to urinate or you have bladder inconti-
If you or someone you know is high nence, it may be wise to see a urologist.
risk, don’t wait – get help. Even if you uDon’t wear flip-flops or other slippery
haven’t had a traumatic fall but you have footgear.
70 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
