What diseases or conditions increase the risk of falling?

The risk of falls increases with chronic conditions that involve pain, balance problems, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment. For example, osteoarthritis and neuropathy increase the risk for falls usually due to increased pain and mobility limitations, secondary to these conditions. Parkinson’s disease and stroke are associated with gait impairments which can make a person more susceptible to falling. Dizziness can worsen balance and may be caused by medications for hypertension or by orthostatic hypotension. Conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration cause visual impairment and can increase the risk of stepping on hazards or mis-stepping. Depression has been frequently associated with greater fall risk, although the mechanism is not clear.^{[1] [2]}