Dele Omotunde
HOP, STEP AND FALL!
Yeparipa! There goes down the coordinator of the Sunday school programme. Hence it was MIA, missing in action, for him and Sunday School on Sunday. He was on his usual weekend walk – around, doing jelenke jogging in the heartland of Ketu, Lagos, when the unexpected happened. He lost his balance, slipped and fell down
y a k a t a like a toad kicked out of the powdery pathway they call road. He kissed the dust without any romantic feelings whatsoever! He struggled several times to get up. He saw stars of different colours: white, yellow, pink, red and black stars. As he managed to get up on his feet the first thing he did was to look back and check if telephone paparazzi were around to record the fall. None apparently. Then he began to wonder what could have gone wrong. For a moment it was as if he was sleepwalking, so to speak. Then all of a sudden, he was hugging the floor, caressing the dust. Why do men within a certain range of age easily and frequently have to be struggling with the force of gravity, an exercise in futility most times? Sir Isaac Newton must have an explanation for this. Doctors seem to know. They always warn old, fragile and frail people: just don’t fall. Good advice because many have fallen like yakata like that and from there took the first available flight to HELL or wherever they have been predestined to end up. Who can better explain why old men often lose their balance and fall yakata” like that?!
Ask AISHA now.
Sure, why not. Ngbo AISHA?
“As men age, they may experience a decline in their balance due to a combination of physical, sensory, and cognitive changes. Here are some reasons why:
- Loss of muscle mass and strength: Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) can affect the muscles that help maintain balance, such as those in the legs and core.
- Decline in vestibular function: The vestibular system in the inner ear helps regulate balance. As men age, the vestibular system can become less effective, making it harder to maintain balance.
- Vision changes: Presbyopia, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration can impair vision, making it more difficult to maintain balance.
- Nerve damage: Age-related nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) can affect the nerves that control balance and movement.
- Hormonal changes: Decreases in testosterone levels can contribute to muscle loss and balance problems.
- Medication side effects: Certain medications, such as sedatives and antidepressants, can affect balance.
- Chronic health conditions: Conditions like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke can increase the risk of balance problems.
- Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to muscle weakness, flexibility, and balance problems.
- Cognitive decline: Age-related cognitive decline can affect spatial awareness, judgment, and reaction time, making it harder to maintain balance.
To mitigate balance problems, older men can try:
- Regular exercise, such as tai chi or balance training
- Strength training to maintain muscle mass
- Flexibility exercises to improve range of motion
- Vision and hearing tests to address any impairments
- Reviewing medications with their healthcare provider
- Managing chronic health conditions
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