Nearly twelve million Americans suffer from COPD, the inflammatory lung disease caused by several chronic conditions, such as bronchitis and emphysema. The COPD Foundation recently published results suggesting another risk for COPD patients. They may increase chances of falls and related injuries from commonly prescribed medications. Researchers compared the number of falls in the two years prior to deaths of COPD patients. The risk increased along with the number of prescribed medications. We already knew that increased frailty and impaired gait might increase risk of falls. This study, in the journal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, recommends health professionals and COPD patients discuss strategies that prevent or reduce the risk of falls.