Ask Dr Miriam

Q I keep stumbling and falling over and I’m not sure why I do this all the time. Are there any exercises I can do to stop me falling like this? A Yes, there are – but first of all I suggest you see your doctor to check out your heart, your blood pressure and the state of your arteries.

Falling over is a common problem in older people, so ensuring your balance, coordination and muscle strength are in good shape should be a priority. It’s also been found that fear of falling actually makes it more likely to happen, rather than making you more careful. So strengthening your core muscles and increasing the power in your legs will make you more confident. Pilates is a good way of doing all of these things, so why don’t you go to your local gym and see what’s available?