Frequent Falls

About the Symptom

Frequent falls are recurrent falls, worrisome for a medical condition. A "near fall" is when a person is about to fall but avoids falling, for example by holding onto a nearby object. Near falls are also worrisome for an underlying medical condition.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Frequent falls

Possible Causes

Generally, Frequent falls can be related to:

• Striatal Substantia Nigra Degeneration

  This neurological disorder is caused by a disruption in the connection between two brain areas - the striatum and the substantia nigra. These areas work together to maintain balance and movement. It can be caused by other neurological disorders like Parkinson's or cocaine abuse.

• Hydrocephalus

  Hydrocephalus refers to the abnormal flow of a naturally-occuring brain fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) within natural brain cavities (ventricles), causing fluid buildup. This leads to swelling of the ventricles and increased pressure in the brain, which, if untreated, can cause brain damage in pressurized brain regions. Hydrocephalus is most common in infants and older adults. It has a number of causes, including certain genetic conditions, birth defects of the brain, as well as tumors, stroke, head trauma, or brain infections (such as meningitis). In many cases, the exact cause of hydrocephalus cannot be identified.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  Also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, or motor neuron disease, this progressive, degenerative condition affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It results in loss of muscle control, eventually leading to difficulty eating, breathing, and speaking. The exact cause remains unknown and may be due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

• Parkinson's Disease
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Frequent falls may be related to these serious diseases:

• Femoral Neck Fracture

  A break in the proximal femur at the level of the hip. This fracture is associated with a high risk of complications

• Chronic Subdural Hematoma
• Niemann-Pick Disease
• Wernicke Encephalopathy

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you been tripping or falling more often?
• When did you first notice your increased tendency to trip and fall?
• How often have you experienced an increased tendency to trip and fall?
• How is your increased tendency to trip and fall now?

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