Falling can be very scary and very dangerous. Over 800,000 people are hospitalized every year for a fall-related injury, with many of them injuring their head or hips.

It’s even scarier when you don’t know why it’s happening. Tripping as you step up the curb is one thing, but falls that seemingly happen for no reason are a whole different story.

In this article, we’ll present a few possible reasons why you keep falling. We’ll also discuss how to find help so you can get your issue diagnosed and treated.

Common causes of falls

Here are a few possible explanations for why you keep falling:

1. Weak leg muscles — Our leg muscles naturally lose strength over time due to age, but arthritis and other conditions can speed up that progression. Whatever the reason, weak leg muscles can affect our balance, leading to falls.
2. Foot issues — Our feet must be able to support the rest of our body or we’ll fall over. Diabetes and other conditions can cause numbness in the feet that make standing up difficult.
3. Vestibular balance disorder — This is a condition that stems in the ears, affecting your equilibrium. It tends to cause vertigo, dizziness and other conditions that affect your balance.

Furthermore, some medications cause dizziness and blackouts that may cause you to faint or fall. If you’re wondering why you keep falling, check with your physician to see if this is a side effect of any medication you take.

What should I do if I keep falling?

Whether you’ve identified the cause or not, you should see a professional for treatment. A doctor or specialist can identify the cause and work with you to treat the problem.

Physical therapy can be very helpful for fall prevention, too. We can help to determine why you keep falling and find an appropriate course of treatment.

At Rehab Access Physical Therapy, we help patients strengthen their muscles, improve their flexibility, and manage symptoms related to aging or vestibular balance disorders.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.