5 Common Pills That Quietly Raise Your Fall Risk After 65

#FallPrevention #SeniorHealth #MedicationSafety 5 Common Pills That Quietly Raise Your Fall Risk After 65 Could your medicines be affecting your balance? This video explains 5 common types of pills that research has linked to a higher fall risk after 65, how each one can affect balance, and what you can do about it safely, without stopping anything on your own. In this video you'll learn: 5 medicine types linked to falls: sleep medicines, certain antidepressants, opioid and gabapentin pain medicines, blood pressure medicines (including water pills and alpha-blockers), and over-the-counter "PM" antihistamines Why many people take the 5th one without thinking of it as a medicine The 3-question script to use with your doctor or pharmacist How to do a "brown bag" medicine review and keep a one-week "dizzy diary" A simple 2-minute standing blood pressure test you can do at home (with someone nearby) Everyday habits and exercise that lower fall risk When to call your doctor, and when to call 911 Important: never stop or change a prescription on your own. Some medicines can be dangerous to stop suddenly. Many of these medicines help people greatly, and this video is about reviewing them safely with a professional. The 2 a.m. hallway Why medicines affect balance Pill 1: Sleep medicines Pill 2: Certain antidepressants Pill 3: Opioids and gabapentinoids Pill 4: Blood pressure medicines and water pills Pill 5: Over-the-counter "PM" antihistamines The 3-question script The 2-minute standing test When to call a doctor or 911 If this helped, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who takes several medicines every day, or the person who helps manage them. Comment: how many medicines do you take each day? Type a number only, please don't share personal medical details. Sources and further reading (please verify exact citations before publishing): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: older adult falls data and the STEADI program American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria, 2023 update Cochrane review: exercise for preventing falls in older people National Institute on Aging: medicines and older adults Disclaimer: This video is for general education only. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any change to your medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping, starting, or changing anything. If you fall and hit your head, or have sudden weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, or chest pain, call 911 right away. #MedicineSafety #HealthyAging #Over65 #BalanceAndFalls #SeniorWellness #PharmacistAdvice