Falling

Due to lack of balance, Parkinson's patients are prone to fall, and this can lead to a myriad of problems. Having fallen several times, I have been lucky so far not to have done any serious damage, but my most recent fall was a different story. Making sure that one's home is disabled friendly includes having a clear path to walk throughout the house, and unfortunately due to our recent move, packing boxes everywhere, resembling a warehouse, it became a slalom course getting from one room to another. Falling one day, I landed on my face and hit my jaw bone on a hard surface. I had terrible pains in my lower jaw, and convinced it was just bruised, I didn't go to the doctor, which on hindsight - was probably not a wise move. If you do fall, don't wait; go to your doctor. This is a classic case of "do as I say and not as I do." After several days the pain persisted, not only in my jaw bone but spreading to my teeth, radiating up towards my ear. This did not look like a good sign! I felt like my teeth were erupting and so immediately made a visit to our wonderful friendly dentist, who I trust implicitly. After x-rays and a thorough check-up, thankfully he found no fractures or visible damage to my jaw bone or teeth, but the trauma that my jaw and teeth sustained from the fall, is definitely going to take some time to heal. To refrain from falling is extremely important, and any loose rugs or carpets, small items left on the floor that should not be there, or large packing boxes that are simply in the way, is an accident waiting to happen. If your balance is poor and you are unsteady on your feet, use a crutch or walker to ensure you don't fall. No one likes to be seen with a walking aid, but put vanity aside and make safety your first priority. Falling is no joke, so make your surroundings appropriate and avoid serious injury.