Sensorimotor Disorders

Sensorimotor Disorders

Introduction

Sensory-motor skills entail the processes of acquiring sensory input from the environment (hearing, vestibular, vision, touch, proprioception, and taste) and body to generate motor responses. Sensory-motor integration refers to the capacity of the CNS (central nervous system) to combine various stimuli sources and adjusting it to create a motor activity. The development helps a child to gain utilization and coordination of their muscles of the arms, hands, trunk, and legs (motor development) and starts to sense the environment (via sensory input) through sounds, hearing, smell, sight, and taste. If motor functions, coordination, and motion is not in line with a broad scope of normal, sensorimotor disorders describe the abnormality. This paper reviews two articles on the treatment of sensorimotor polyneuropathy.

Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

            Polyneuropathy occurs when various peripheral nerves are damaged, normally referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Poor motor functions are as a result of environmental, genetic, and event intrauterine factors. Various brain injuries during childhood can also contribute to sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The causes of abnormalities of the brain that give rise to sensory-processing disorders are not known, but some studies indicate a genetic component.

Polyneuropathy involves damage of multiple nerves in various body parts, including axons (nerve fibers), myelin sheath (nerve coverings), and nerve cells. Never cell damage leads to the slowing or complete stopping of nerve signals. Additionally, nerve fiber or entire nerve-cell damage may result in the stoppage of the nerves. In general, nerve damages can result from autoimmune disorders, reduced blood flow to nerves, nerve swelling, and a  disorder that exerts pressure on the nerves.  Also, it can come from illnesses that damage the connective tissues connecting tissues and cells, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and Zika virus, among others.

According to a MedlinePlus article, the treatment of sensorimotor polyneuropathy focuses on three goals. These include: identifying the cause, promoting self-care and self-sufficiency, and managing the symptoms. Based on the causes, treatments may entail: i) adjusting medicines, in case they cause any issues, ii) managing blood sugar levels, if the condition is caused by diabetes, iii) refraining from alcohol, iv) medications to manage and treat the primary root of the condition, and v) adhering to everyday nutritional supplements. The article suggests various ways of boosting self-care and self-sufficiency in patients. These include vocational (job) therapy, physical therapy, exercise, and acquiring new coping skills to increase the functioning of the affected nerves, use of wheelchair, splints, or braces, and orthopedic treatments.

The goal of managing symptoms aims mostly at enhancing safety by minimizing the risks of falls and other traumas. This can be achieved by leaving lights on, removing obstacles (e.g., rugs), using railings, wearing protective shoes (non-slipper soles, low heels and with closed toes), and testing the temperature of the water before taking a bath. The use of medicine in treating sensorimotor polyneuropathy is also advisable in managing the condition. These include over the counter medicine and prescription painkillers to relieve the stabbing discomforts (neuralgia), lotions, medicated patches, or creams, and anti-depressants or anti-convulsants. Pain medications should only be used solely if necessary. Achieving these goals helps manage the condition better and facilitates faster recovery.

The next article states that polyneuropathy damages nerves that stimulate movement (motor neuropathy), feeling (sensory neuropathy), or both. The article provides various causes, as well as risk factors of the disorder, including abuse of alcohol, auto-immune diseases, kidney disease, physical injury, certain medications (chemotherapy and HIV/AIDS drugs), and diabetes, among others. The AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) recommends peripheral-neuropathy treatment for addressing the primary illness process, correcting nutritional insufficiency, and aiming to offer ease from symptoms (Leonard & Falck, 2017).  Common treatments include medications, medical systems and therapies, and other remedies. Medications include those linked to the condition, prescription medicine, and pain medications. Physicians recommend insulin for patients with diabetes and thyroid hormones for those suffering from hypothyroidism. These medication treat the condition as well as its symptoms. Medical therapies include plasma exchange, physical therapy, immune-globulin therapy, transcutaneous electrical-nerve stimulation, and orthotic equipment, among other devices. Alternative and corresponding remedies help relieve symptoms and include massage, acupuncture, medication, and chiropractic care. These treatments have, however, been broadly examined in terms of their efficiency (Leonard & Falck, 2017).

Various challenges may affect the treatment of sensorimotor polyneuropathy. These include a lack of enough finances to pay for all the procedures required. Therapy and other medications are often very costly and can be extremely expensive for some individuals. Also, the lack of strong support may hinder the effectiveness of various treatments. A patient requires family or friends to stand by them in order to adhere will treatments, to help with movements, and during therapy. Another challenge is continuing with behaviors that hinder the effectiveness of treatment. This may include the use of alcohol, which is extremely discouraged if a patient is to heal effectively. Also, sticking to the wrong diet may hinder treatment.

 

Conclusion

Sensorimotor disorders exist in many forms, such as sensorimotor polyneuropathy disorder. Sensorimotor polyneuropathy causes a limited capacity of movement or feeling (sensation) due to nerve damage. Poor motor functions are as a result of environmental, genetic, and event intrauterine factors. Various brain injuries during childhood can also contribute to sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Treatment is critical since it helps in managing and treating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. It, therefore, to ensure the long term welfare of the patient.