Anonymous wrote:I just turned 57 & have noticed the past five mos. or so I have been tripping, losing my balance more than usual.

I do not feel dizzy or anything - it’s just that I am noticing that I am tripping myself on little cracks on sidewalks, etc.
My vision is also more blurred (am nearsighted!) so sometimes I do not see obstacles coming up when walking.

I am terrified that I will fall one of these days!

WWYD?

I would see a good doctor for a complete evaluation, including neurological. MS and other neurological disorders can present at this time in life. Or it may just be high sugar and diabetes. or it may be nothing. But you absolutely should get it thoroughly checked out.

Put your heel down first each step. Then you don't stub your toes into an object and trip over it.

That seems like something that should get checked out, but what do I know?

Call or write your primary care provider, tell them what you wrote, and ask what you should do. They will probably ask you to come in, but maybe they will refer you to another doctor or tell you not to worry about it.

In other words, ignore everything anyone says here (including me) and ask your doctor.

This could be a sign of a health issue that is neurological? I would go to primary care and also a specialist.

I am 10 years older. I am not frail, not demented. In fact, I am very active, fit, and flexible. I've tripped in ths last 3 years a couple of times, face planted in fact outside. Shocked that nothing broke even though I've broken my falls with my wrist and knee. Didn't break my nose either.
1. I have progressives, have had for 25 years, and there's a blank space under there that, while I navigate it automatically, I can miss a lot on the ground. I'm more careful now to look down more. Sidewalks are always uneven.
2. My left foot doesn't always, since childhood, "pick up" robustly with regard to step height, as the right does. It's the way I pronate. I am more aware of that, and yes it's always that foot that catches an uneven sidewalk.
3. I have always had a quiet distracted attn span- so I'm looking around a lot. Yeah, I tripped on a rock under some leaves when I was looking elsewhere.

Just pay more attn to what your feet are doing. Use railings on steps, be mindful of your vision.

Do you have diabetes? Or is there concern you could have it? Peripheral neuropathy can creep up on you and this causes tripping for a lot of people.

1. Ophthalmologist for complete eye exam.
2. PCP about gait and balance issues.

Get PT referral to work on balance and gait. Pretty easy exercises.

It might be that you aren't picking your feet up enough so that the toe of your shoes are catching on the cracks, stairs, whatever isn't perfectly flat. You would need to strengthen the muscles on either side of your shins.

But definitely check with your doctor and work on balance exercises.

Anonymous wrote:It very well could be early onset dementia. Parkinson's also starts as a loss of balance for a lot of people. Please contact your doctor.

+1. My grandmother tripped and stumbled for about a decade before she was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

It likely is your aging body slowly showing signs of slowing down.

But I would see a MD too.

Get your vision checked and a physical. Then I recommend working on strengthening yourself to improve mobility. I’m mid 50s and do balance exercises regularly. There are various resources but I follow Will Harlow on IG for quick advice and exercises. He focuses on balance work for 50+ people. He’s also on YouTube

It very well could be early onset dementia. Parkinson's also starts as a loss of balance for a lot of people. Please contact your doctor.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Could the prescription or fitting be off in some way? I think progressive lenses can make stairs, etc. difficult to navigate:

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/pros-cons-progressive-lenses-computer-glasses

I also suggest an appointment with your primary care doctor to discuss and evaluate. Maybe physical therapy would be helpful.

I just turned 57 & have noticed the past five mos. or so I have been tripping, losing my balance more than usual.

I do not feel dizzy or anything - it’s just that I am noticing that I am tripping myself on little cracks on sidewalks, etc.
My vision is also more blurred (am nearsighted!) so sometimes I do not see obstacles coming up when walking.

I am terrified that I will fall one of these days!

WWYD?