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Preventing falls in diabetics
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Photo credit: eHow.com
More than one-third of adults over the age of 65 fall each year in the United States, making it the leading cause of death by injury. Twenty percent of the people who fall are unable to recover from hip fractures or trauma to the head, resulting in fatality. Researchers have found that people suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy are at a greater risk of falling.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a form of diabetes that damages the peripheral nervous system, preventing the brain and spinal cord from transmitting information to other parts of the body. An individual with this disease would be unable to feel if their hand is burning or if their feet are too cold. This lack of communication within the body can lead to dangerous situations by making a person unaware of their surroundings.
The American Public Health Association has compared the instability and muscle weakness of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy with that of chronic stroke patients. These individuals can increase their balance by doing simple exercises to decrease their risk of falling.
Exercise 1
Stand directly behind a chair with feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Holding onto the back of the chair, if necessary, lift one leg six inches out to the side and hold for ten seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Exercise 2
Standing behind the chair, bring one knee toward your chest by lifting it six inches off the floor. Hold for ten seconds and repeat on the other side.
Exercise 3
Standing behind the chair, lift one leg straight back, making sure your knee stays forward. Hold for ten seconds and repeat on the other leg.
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