Multifactorial
Balance disorder; Gait disorders
Idiopathic
Accident, fall from bed
Environmental factors (new surroundings, walking surface hazards)
Visual impairment
Muscle weakness
Syncope
Acute illness: Pneumonia, stroke, anemia, dehydration
Cerebrovascular accident
Transient ischaemic attack
Medications: e.g. sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antihypertensives
Alcohol
Peripheral neuropathy (diabetes, B12 deficiency)
Vitamin D deficiency
Poor footwear
Arthritis; pain related to arthritis
Dementia
Delirium; Confusion
Vestibular dysfunction
Vertigo
Orthostatic hypotension
Postprandial hypotension
Parkinson disease
CNS disorder like drop attacks, epilepsy
Thinking through the differential diagnosis
“Etiology: 80% sensorineural (decreased visual, tactile, proprioception, motor responses, and weakness); 10% syncope, 10% acute illness (Pneumonia, stroke, anemia, dehydration).” Pocket Primary Care.
Further Reading
Am Fam Physician. 2000 Apr 1;61(7):2159-2168. Falls in the Elderly. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2159.html