How can I prevent falls with nerve problems from cancer treatment?
Nerve problems from cancer treatment can affect your balance, which makes you more likely to trip or fall. NCI describes several ways to help prevent falls.
Start by making your home safer. Have someone help you move rugs out of your path, and put rails on the walls and in the bathroom so you can hold on and steady yourself. Put bathmats in the shower or tub. Wear sturdy shoes with soft soles. Get up slowly after sitting or lying down, especially if you feel dizzy.
Protect your hands and feet by wearing shoes inside and outside. Check your arms, legs, and feet for cuts or scratches every day.
Take extra care in the kitchen and the shower. Use potholders, and be careful with knives and other sharp objects. Ask someone to check the water temperature so it is not too hot.
Let people help with the hard tasks, and give yourself more time. Your health care team can tell you which steps matter most in your situation.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Peripheral Neuropathy and Cancer Treatment
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