The risk is increased from drinking.
A recent study reveals that alcohol consumption can significantly elevate the risk of a brain hemorrhage in seniors who experience a fall, even with occasional drinking.
Researchers discovered that the likelihood of a brain bleed increases in proportion to the frequency of alcohol consumption. Specifically, occasional or weekly drinking doubled the risk of a brain bleed after a fall, while daily drinking increased the risk by 2.5 times.
Dr. Richard Shih, the senior researcher and a professor of emergency medicine at Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine, commented on the study’s surprising findings: “We found a strong dose-response relationship between alcohol use and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.”
Falls are a major cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among seniors, with 36,500 older adults in the U.S. dying from falls in 2021, according to background information provided by the researchers.
The study analyzed data from over 3,100 seniors aged 65 and older who were treated for head injuries at two trauma centers in Palm Beach County. Approximately 18% of these patients reported alcohol consumption, with 6% consuming alcohol daily.
The research revealed that nearly 14% of the patients sustained a brain bleed. Among those who drank occasionally, 20% experienced a brain bleed; 22% of weekly drinkers had a bleed; and 25% of daily drinkers suffered a bleed, compared to just 12% of non-drinkers.
Dr. Shih explained that alcohol impairs balance, concentration, and awareness, increasing the likelihood of falls. He also noted that older adults are more affected by alcohol due to changes in body composition and metabolism. As people age, they tend to have a higher proportion of body fat to body water, which raises the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream. Additionally, aging slows down alcohol metabolism, making older adults process alcohol less efficiently.
The study emphasizes the importance of considering alcohol use as a significant risk factor for falls. Published in the Journal of the American College of Physicians Open, the study highlights that current fall prevention guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Geriatrics Society do not address alcohol consumption as a factor. Dr. Shih suggests that incorporating alcohol use assessments and mitigation strategies could enhance fall prevention efforts.
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