Frequent Falls
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Trip and fall very often
Tripping over nothing
Trip over my own feet a lot
Frequent falls
Falling down for no reason
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?
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Keep falling down while walking
- Have a tendency to fall
- Trip myself over a lot
Find Similar Symptoms
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FAQs
Q.
How can I prevent myself from tripping on my own feet?
A.
To prevent tripping, focus on improving foot placement, balance, and awareness of your feet. Exercises and being mindful of how you walk can help.
References:
Sood P, Chatterjee SA, Skinner JW, Lysne PE, Sumonthee C, Wu SS, et al. (2022). Somatosensory Impairment of the Feet is Associated with .... Experimental gerontology, 9892701.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9892701/
Dean JC, & Kautz SA. (2015). Foot placement control and gait instability among people .... Journal of rehabilitation research and development, 4737555.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4737555/
Kasović M, Štefan L, & Zvonar M. (2020). Foot rotation and the risk of falls in older women. PLoS ONE, 7489502.
Q.
How many falls are considered too many and warrant medical attention?
A.
If someone falls often, it might be a sign that they need medical help. It's important to check with a doctor if falls happen more than once or twice, especially in older adults.
References:
Quatman CE, Anderson JP, Mondor M, Halweg J, Quatman-Yates C, & Switzer JA. (2018). Frequent 911 Fall Calls in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 30019749.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30019749/
Meekes WMA, Leemrijse CJ, Weesie YM, van de Goor IAM, Donker GA, & Korevaar JC. (2021). Falls prevention at GP practices: a description of daily .... BMC family practice, 34548022.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34548022/
Campbell AJ, Borrie MJ, & Spears GF. (1989). Risk factors for falls in a community-based prospective .... Journal of gerontology, 2738307.
Q.
What are common causes of frequent falls in the elderly population?
A.
Common causes of frequent falls in the elderly include muscle weakness, balance problems, medication side effects, and environmental hazards.
References:
Jehu DA, Davis JC, Falck RS, Bennett KJ, Tai D, Souza MF, et al. (2021). Risk factors for recurrent falls in older adults: A systematic .... Maturitas, 33358204.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33358204/
Ryynänen OP, Kivelä SL, Honkanen R, & Laippala P. (1992). Recurrent elderly fallers. Scandinavian journal of primary health care, 1480867.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1480867/
Graafmans WC, Ooms ME, Hofstee HM, Bezemer PD, Bouter LM, & Lips P. (1996). Falls in the elderly: a prospective study of risk factors and .... American journal of epidemiology, 8633602.
Q.
What are possible explanations for why I keep falling down without an obvious cause?
A.
Falling without an obvious cause can be due to issues like peripheral neuropathy, neurological diseases, or balance problems, especially in older adults.
References:
Richardson JK, & Ashton-Miller JA. (1996). Peripheral neuropathy: an often-overlooked cause of falls .... Postgraduate medicine, 8668629.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8668629/
Stolze H, Klebe S, Zechlin C, Baecker C, Friege L, & Deuschl G. (2004). Falls in frequent neurological diseases--prevalence, risk .... Journal of neurology, 14999493.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14999493/
Manckoundia P, Mourey F, Pérennou D, & Pfitzenmeyer P. (2008). Backward disequilibrium in elderly subjects. Clinical interventions in aging, 19281059.
Q.
What could be the cause of frequent falls in a generally healthy person?
A.
Frequent falls in a generally healthy person can be caused by neurological issues, balance problems, or environmental factors.
References:
Stolze H, Klebe S, Zechlin C, Baecker C, Friege L, & Deuschl G. (2004). Falls in frequent neurological diseases--prevalence, risk .... Journal of neurology, 14999493.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14999493/
Djaldetti R, Lorberboym M, & Melamed E. (2006). a cause of recurrent sudden falls in the elderly. Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 17205226.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17205226/
Heijnen MJ, & Rietdyk S. (2016). Falls in young adults: Perceived causes and environmental .... Human movement science, 26741254.
Q.
What factors contribute to frequent falls in middle-aged women?
A.
Frequent falls in middle-aged women can be caused by factors like muscle weakness, medication side effects, and balance issues.
References:
Rathnayake N, & Lekamwasam S. (2021). Prevalence and factors associated with recurrent falls .... Journal of frailty, sarcopenia and falls, 34557608.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34557608/
Talbot LA, Musiol RJ, Witham EK, & Metter EJ. (2005). Falls in young, middle-aged and older community dwelling .... BMC public health, 16109159.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16109159/
Neal SR, Wood AD, Ablett AD, Gregory JS, Guillot J, Macdonald HM, et al. (2020). Anticholinergic burden in middle-aged women and .... Therapeutic advances in drug safety, 32547728.
Q.
What medical conditions can cause you to fall for no reason?
A.
Falls can happen for many reasons, including heart problems and some brain disorders. It's important to find out the cause to help prevent them.
References:
Tideiksaar R, & Kay AD. (1986). What causes falls? A logical diagnostic procedure. Geriatrics, 3781252.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3781252/
Cronin H, & Kenny RA. (2010). Cardiac causes for falls and their treatment. Clinics in geriatric medicine, 20934610.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20934610/
Stolze H, Klebe S, Zechlin C, Baecker C, Friege L, & Deuschl G. (2004). Falls in frequent neurological diseases--prevalence, risk .... Journal of neurology, 14999493.
Q.
What should I do if I frequently trip and fall?
A.
If you trip and fall often, it might help to practice specific exercises and improve your walking style to reduce the chances of falling.
References:
Allin LJ, Brolinson PG, Beach BM, Kim S, Nussbaum MA, Roberto KA, & Madigan ML. (2020). and trip-induced falls among older adults: a randomized .... BMC geriatrics, 32532221.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32532221/
Pavol MJ, Owings TM, Foley KT, & Grabiner MD. (1999). Gait characteristics as risk factors for falling from trips .... The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 10619322.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10619322/
Grabiner MD, Bareither ML, Gatts S, Marone J, & Troy KL. (2012). Task-specific training reduces trip-related fall risk in women. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 22811033.
Q.
What should I do if I often trip and nearly fall?
A.
If you often trip and nearly fall, it might be helpful to check your walking surfaces and improve your balance and walking style.
References:
Bentley TA, & Haslam RA. (1998). Slip, trip and fall accidents occurring during the delivery of .... Ergonomics, 9857843.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9857843/
Kaustell KO, Mattila TE, & Rautiainen RH. (2007). Safety performance of animal confinement floors: slip, trip, .... Journal of agricultural safety and health, 18075015.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18075015/
Park K, Sy JF, Horn GP, Kesler RM, Petrucci MN, Rosengren KS, & Hsiao-Wecksler ET. (2018). Assessing gait changes in firefighters after .... Applied ergonomics, 29866324.
Q.
Why am I experiencing an increase in how much I am tripping lately?
A.
Tripping more often can be due to several reasons, like changes in how your foot moves or issues with balance, especially on stairs.
References:
Alboni P, Coppola P, Stucci N, & Tsakiridu V. (2015). Differential diagnosis between 'unexplained' fall and .... Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 24838038.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24838038/
Delfi G, Kamachi M, & Dutta T. (2021). Development of an Automated Minimum Foot Clearance .... Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 33540502.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33540502/
Francksen N, Ackermans T, Holzer D, Maganaris C, Hollands M, Roys M, & O'Brien T. (2022). Underlying mechanisms of fall risk on stairs with .... Applied ergonomics, 35151119.
Q.
Why am I tripping and falling all the time despite having no prior history of balance problems?
A.
Tripping and falling can be caused by changes in how you walk or how high you lift your feet. These changes can make it easier to trip over things.
References:
Pavol MJ, Owings TM, Foley KT, & Grabiner MD. (2001). Mechanisms leading to a fall from an induced trip in .... The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 11445602.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11445602/
Lai DT, Taylor SB, & Begg RK. (2012). Prediction of foot clearance parameters as a precursor to .... Human movement science, 21035220.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21035220/
Pavol MJ, Owings TM, Foley KT, & Grabiner MD. (1999). Gait characteristics as risk factors for falling from trips .... The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 10619322.
Q.
Why do I trip and fall so much more than others?
A.
Tripping and falling can happen more if you have knee problems like osteoarthritis or if there are other unexplained reasons. It's important to understand why it happens to stay safe.
References:
Alboni P, Coppola P, Stucci N, & Tsakiridu V. (2015). Differential diagnosis between 'unexplained' fall and .... Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), 24838038.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24838038/
Pandya NK, Draganich LF, Mauer A, Piotrowski GA, & Pottenger L. (2005). Osteoarthritis of the knees increases the propensity to trip .... Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 15685069.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15685069/
Pater ML, Rosenblatt NJ, & Grabiner MD. (2016). Knee osteoarthritis negatively affects the recovery step .... Journal of biomechanics, 26947035.
Q.
Why might I keep tripping and falling despite being careful?
A.
Tripping and falling can happen if your brain is busy with many tasks or if you have nerve problems in your feet.
References:
Hegeman J, Weerdesteyn V, van den Bemt B, Nienhuis B, van Limbeek J, & Duysens J. (2012). Dual-tasking interferes with obstacle avoidance reactions .... Gait & posture, 22565318.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22565318/
Stolze H, Klebe S, Zechlin C, Baecker C, Friege L, & Deuschl G. (2004). Falls in frequent neurological diseases--prevalence, risk .... Journal of neurology, 14999493.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14999493/
Richardson JK, & Ashton-Miller JA. (1996). Peripheral neuropathy: an often-overlooked cause of falls .... Postgraduate medicine, 8668629.
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