Surgeon General Report - Intent to bring awareness to public

A major message of this Surgeon General’s

report is that the bone health status of Americans

can be improved. Many of the physical,

emotional, and financial costs of bone disease and

fractures can be avoided. However, much of

what could be done to reduce this burden is not

being done today, largely due to a lack of

awareness of the problem and the failure to apply

current knowledge. In fact, many in the public

and even the medical community believe that

osteoporosis, by far the most common bone

disease, is a natural, unavoidable consequence

of aging. This view must be changed. The intent

of this Surgeon General’s report is to serve as a

catalyst for the development of a public health

approach to promoting bone health.
 
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Preventing Falls

Preventing falls is important at any age, but it is especially important for those who have osteoporosis because their bones are more fragile and easily broken.


Each year, about one-third of individuals 65 years of age or older will fall, and some will be disabled by the broken bones that can follow.


Medications
In many cases, a fall can be precipitated by medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and blood pressure drugs that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of balance. When two or more medications are used in combination, these side effects may be aggravated. Falls also result from diminished vision, hearing, muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes and from diseases that affect balance.



This safety checklist can help you eliminate many common household hazards:


Floors. Remove all loose wires, cords, and throw rugs. Minimize clutter. Make sure rugs are anchored and smooth. Keep furniture in its accustomed place.

Bathrooms. Install grab bars and non-skid tape in the tub or shower.


Lighting. Make sure halls, stairways, and entrances are well lit. Install a night light in your bathroom. Turn lights on if you get up in the middle of the night.


Kitchen. Install non-skid rubber mats near sink and stove. Clean spills immediately.


Stairs. Make sure treads, rails, and rugs are secure.


Other precautions. Wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes. Keep your intake of alcoholic beverages to a minimum. Ask your doctor whether any of your medications might cause you to fall.

http://www.nof.org/patientinfo/fall_prevention.htm