Common Disorders and Health Maintenance of Sensory and Locomotor Systems

Understanding Sensory and Locomotor System Health

Common Disorders of the Sensory Organs

The following conditions affect the proper functioning of the sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin, nose, and tongue):

• Astigmatism: Defective curvature of the lens that produces a deformed image.
• Myopia (Nearsightedness): The eyeball is too long, and the focus of distant objects is not formed on the retina.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): The eyeball is too short, and the image of nearby objects is formed behind the retina.
• Presbyopia: Gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus and produce a clear image (often age-related).
• Color Blindness: Congenital disease characterized by the inability to distinguish certain colors.
• Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.
• Cataracts: The lens becomes opaque, blocking the passage of light.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure of aqueous humor within the eye.
• Deafness: Loss of hearing due to a variety of causes.
• Ménière's Disease: Loss of balance and hearing due to an excess of endolymph.
• Otitis: Inflammation of the ear.
• Psoriasis: Chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin disease.
• Anosmia and Ageusia: Anosmia refers to the inability to smell, and ageusia refers to the inability to taste.

The Muscular System

Muscles are in charge of maintaining the posture of the body and performing its movements.

Types of Muscle Fibers

• Striated Muscle Fiber: These muscles join with bones. They contract voluntarily.
• Smooth Muscle Fiber: Their contraction is involuntary.

Muscle Shapes

• Long or Fusiform: These normally play a role in the movement of the body (e.g., the biceps).
• Flat: These generally cover and protect organs.
• Circular or Sphincters: Muscles that close or open a cavity or duct.

Muscle Contraction: Agonists and Antagonists

Muscles contract by widening and shortening their fibers. Muscles that cooperate to perform one unique movement are called agonists. Antagonists, however, perform movements in opposite directions: when one contracts, the other one relaxes.

Maintaining the Health of Sense Organs

To prevent infections and damage to your sensory organs, follow these practices:

• Use sunglasses to protect against eye injuries and UV exposure.
• Visit the ophthalmologist regularly.
• Avoid loud noises and loud music to protect hearing.
• Clean your sense organs daily in order to prevent infections.
• Avoid being exposed to direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Do not smoke. Smoking affects the proper functioning of smell and taste.

Health of the Locomotor System

Proper care of your bones and muscles is essential for mobility and posture:

• Exercise regularly and be as active as possible in order to keep your muscles strong and healthy.
• Always try to maintain good posture in order to avoid damaging bones and muscles.
• Do not overexert your body.
• Do not eat too much meat; it leads to an increase in uric acid, which can lead to gout.

Illnesses of the Locomotor System

Conditions affecting the joints, bones, and connective tissues:

• Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints.
• Osteoarthritis: A non-inflammatory condition involving the progressive degeneration of cartilage and joints.
• Gout: Increased levels of uric acid in the blood, causing painful joint inflammation.
• Rheumatism: A general term often referring to rheumatoid arthritis or similar conditions.
• Osteoporosis: Decrease in bone mass, which weakens bones and promotes bone fracture.
• Slipped Disc: Occurs when the cartilaginous disc between the vertebrae shifts place and compresses one of the spinal cord's nerve roots.

Common Locomotor Injuries

• Sprains: Twisting or violent strains of a joint.
• Dislocations: Separation of a bone from its normal position in a joint.
• Bone Fracture: A break in a bone.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation or irritation of a tendon.