01 Do you know what sensory function is?
Sensory function refers to the reflection of the brain on the individual attributes of objective things directly acting on sensory organs. Senses include sight, hearing, smell, bodily sensation, etc. Perception can help us feel external things and make correct actions. Sensory function is an important basis for human independent survival and interaction with the external environment. It often protects us from harm. How much do you know about them? How should we protect our sensitive sensory functions?
02 Somatosensory function classification
(1) Superficial sensation: including tactile pressure, pinprick, and temperature
(2) Deep sense/proprioception: including motion sense, position sense, vibration sense
(3) Compound senses: including two-point discrimination, skin positioning, and physical sensations, etc.
03 Causes of somatosensory dysfunction
Physiological reasons: There are various receptors in the human body. Exteroceptors are released in the skin, mucous membranes, etc., and feel stimuli from pain, temperature, touch, pressure, etc., and proprioceptors receive stimuli from tendons, joints, and ligaments. The number and sensitivity of receptors decrease with age. Generally, after the age of 40, the body's receptors begin to decrease. At the age of 60, the reduced number of receptors begins to affect sensory afferents, followed by an exponential decline, leading to physiological somatosensory dysfunction in the elderly.
Pathological reasons: Various diseases lead to somatosensory dysfunction in the elderly, including nervous system diseases, cardiopulmonary system diseases, and bone and joint diseases, such as: elderly stroke, elderly coronary heart disease, elderly knee osteoarthritis, etc.
04 Harm of somatosensory dysfunction
Superficial sensory dysfunction increases the patient's risk of skin burns, scalds, frostbite, ulceration, etc.
Deep sensory/proprioceptive dysfunction increases the risk of knocking against tables and chairs, falls, etc.
Complex sensory dysfunction can seriously affect the patient's ability to perceive objects, resulting in a reduced quality of life for the patient.
05 Prevention of somatosensory dysfunction
【Prevention of Physiological Somatosensory Dysfunction】
(1) Maintain daily leisure and entertainment activities, such as walking, Tai Chi, mountain climbing, etc.;
(2) Maintain normal external social activities, and develop more hobbies, such as playing chess, dancing square dance, etc.;
(3) Complete appropriate housework activities according to their own physical functions to ensure a sense of family participation;
(4) Do a good job in disease prevention and actively control existing basic diseases.
【Prevention of pathological somatosensory dysfunction】
For patients with somatosensory dysfunction, patients and caregivers need to pay attention to the following points in life:
(1) Do a good job in dietary management, maintain healthy living habits, reduce sugar and salt, and consume more dietary fiber;
(2) Do a good job of basic skin and joint management, feel the temperature with the healthy hand before washing your hands and taking a bath, or put a temperature label on it to avoid burns;
(3) Avoid joint pulling or injury, avoid lifting heavy objects or excessive activities, and pay attention to prevent falls;
(4) The sharp and easy-to-bump wall corners and table corners can be wrapped with sponge pads;
(5) Under the condition of ensuring safety, try to feel and touch some daily necessities as much as possible, and participate in family roles.
