Health Advice From Woman’s Weekly’s GP
Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones has more than 30 years’ experience as a GP
Falls don’t just afflict the elderly, of course. Statistics show that workers suffer more than 120,000 trips and 37,000 falls from height each year, although unless we’re seriously injured, we’re less likely to report it if it happens at home or outside.
Falls are, however, the leading cause of death in older people; if we’re younger we may survive major injuries, albeit often with lasting pain or disability. And even if we recover physically, taking a tumble can sap our confidence, so we restrict our activities or stop going out altogether – and the resulting loss in fitness can make us more likely to fall again.
Footwear, sports, DIY, hazards underfoot, distractions,…
