ATLANTA — The elderly fear breaking a hip when they fall, but a government study indicates that hitting their head can also have deadly consequences: Brain injuries account for half of all deaths from falls.
The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the first comprehensive national look at the role brain injuries play in fatal elderly falls. It examined 16,000 deaths in 2005 that listed unintentional falls as an underlying cause of death.
CDC researchers found that slightly more than half of the deaths were attributed to brain injuries.
The other deaths were attributed to causes including heart failure, strokes, infections and existing chronic conditions worsened by a broken hip or other injuries sustained in a fall.
“A lot of people don’t think a fall is serious unless they broke a bone, they don’t think it’s serious unless they break a hip. They don’t worry about their head,” said Pat Flemming, a senior physical therapist and researcher at Vanderbilt University.
As people age, veins and arteries can be more easily torn during a sudden blow or jolt to the head, said Marlena Wald, a CDC epidemiologist who co-authored the study.
That can cause a fatal brain bleeding. Other factors can contribute, such as the use of blood thinners, said Judy Stevens, another CDC researcher and co-author.
The severity of brain injuries isn’t always immediately apparent, and some people may not lose consciousness. Wald noted that elderly fall victims can come in alert and talking but die an hour or two later.
There are several steps older Americans can take to try to prevent falls. Exercise can increase leg strength and balance. Glasses can help people avoid obstacles. And being careful with the use of drugs that can affect thinking and coordination — such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills — can also make a difference.
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