Prescription medications make adults more prone to serious falls: Study

A new study claims adults who take several types of prescription medicines are more likely to experience serious falls. Researchers say middle-aged people are more vulnerable to falling due to these kinds of medications.

For the study, the team examined close to 13,000 fall cases and compared that data to a control group. Researchers wanted to identify key factors that could potentially increase the risk of falling.

Through their investigation, the team discovered prescription medication, alcohol and illegal drug use are major contributing factors.

"Providers typically think about falls in people over age 65. But these people were primarily in their 50s and falls were an important concern," study author Julie Womack, an associate professor at Yale School of Nursing. told a news portal.

The team also found taking too many medications simultaneously, which is known as polypharmacy, can also increase the risk of serious fall in HIV positive patients. Medications prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia were also linked with serious falls.

Researchers hope programs that primarily cater to older adults who suffer falls are modified to treat middle-aged adults as well. "Fall risk factors are highly prevalent in the Baby Boomer generation more generally. The next step is to look at interventions for the middle-aged," Womack told a news portal.Adding, "When we're thinking about fall prevention programs we have to think about alcohol and substance use. We need to help individuals cut back."

Tackling this issue early is crucial as a serious fall could lead to more severe injuries,hospitalizations, and even death. The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (JAIDS).