Uncle Shi, 72 years old, recently encountered a problem that he felt unspeakable.
The son brought his grandson to visit him, but his grandson felt uncomfortable because of the smell on his body, and bluntly said that "grandpa has a strange smell", which made Uncle Shi feel sad and inferior. However, this is not an isolated case, and many elderly people will face the problem of "old man's smell" exuded from their bodies, what is going on?
"Old man's smell" refers to the unpleasant smell emitted by some elderly people, similar to the smell of spoiled oil mixed with grass. The smell is imperceptible to the elderly themselves, but it is uncomfortable for others.
Causes of the smell of the elderly:
2-Nonenal secretion:A study by Japanese scientists found that 2-nonenal was detected in older people, and its levels were associated with increasing age. Although this is one of the reasons for the smell of the elderly, not all of the taste of the elderly is ** 2-nonenal.
Mechanism of metabolic alteration:Due to the differences in the composition of sweat gland secretions in different races, it is decomposed into various odor molecules under the action of microorganisms. Factors such as age, gender, diet, hygiene, Xi habits can all affect body odor. With age, the body's metabolism slows down and the sebum metabolism function declines, resulting in the elderly being prone to problems, such as dryness and peeling, resulting in odor.
Lifestyle for the Elderly:As people age, their physical strength decreases, and their willingness to clean themselves decreases, especially in winter, and the frequency of bathing decreases. Lifestyle changes have made the "old man's smell" more intense, which has become a common cause of this smell.
Precursors of disease onset:The smell of old age may also indicate the development of chronic diseases. Some metabolites produced during the disease process may release odors, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, etc., which further aggravate the "old man's smell" in the elderly.
The answer may lie in the change in the odor threshold.
What is the odor threshold?The odor threshold is the minimum concentration of odor that can be detected by the human body. In general, the lower the odor threshold, the sharper a person's sense of smell is.
Scientific studies have shown that the odor threshold may be 2-15 times higher in older people than in younger people. This means that the nose of the elderly is not as sensitive as that of the young, the olfactory function is significantly reduced, and the ability to recognize odors is weakened. In particular, in the case of some neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease, the degree of loss of smell is more pronounced in older people.
It is important to note that the human sense of smell is adaptive. Even if you are initially sensitive to a certain odor, over time, the sense of smell will gradually lose its sensitivity to that odor. This adaptation further exacerbates the difficulty of perceiving odors in older adults. Therefore, even if older people sometimes fail to perceive odors on their own, it is not entirely due to a lack of odor in the environment, but more likely because their olfactory system is no longer as sensitive as it was when they were younger.
Identifying odors emitted by the body through the sense of smell can help detect some diseases early, especially in the elderly. The following are some common diseases that produce special odors during metabolism, which are released through **, respiration, gastrointestinal excretion, etc.
1.Diabetes
People with severe diabetes may have the smell of rotten apples, which is caused by the oxidation of fats and proteins within the liver, producing ketone bodies that diffuse into the bloodstream, causing acetone in the breath exhaled. This odor can be a sign of diabetes complications and a reminder to pay attention to the physical condition of the diabetic patient.
2.Kidney disease
In patients with chronic nephritis or kidney disease, some metabolic waste products cannot be excreted from the body as the disease progresses to the stage of chronic renal failure. The breath exhaled by the patient may have a urine or ammonia smell in it, which may be an indicator of the progressive development of kidney disease and a reminder to pay attention to kidney health.
3.Diseases of the oral cavity
Bad breath is more common in the elderly, and 70%-80% of bad breath is simple halitosis, mainly caused by oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, etc. For example, food debris in the mouth of a person with dental caries is digested by bacteria to produce hydrogen sulfide and acids, resulting in a sour odor in the mouth. Promptly** oral problems can help alleviate bad breath.
4.Severe liver disease
In patients with acute hepatitis or other severe liver function impairment, due to abnormal liver function, liver toxins cannot be eliminated normally, ammonia and urea nitrogen in the blood increase, and the patient's exhaled breath will have a special odor, commonly known as "liver odor". This odor may be an indication of liver disease, prompting the patient to require further testing and**.
The key to preventing and eliminating "old age" is to clean up your daily routine, maintain a light diet, and be aware of any links to underlying diseases.
First of all, frequent bathing is the basis for preventing "old man smell". Odors can be effectively reduced by washing away excess oil, sweat, dirt, and even the smell of smoke and alcohol. Because the sebaceous glands and sweat glands in the head and neck, behind the ears, armpits, chest, back, etc., are dense, and it is easier for oil and sweat to accumulate, so pay special attention to these areas when bathing. The elderly can develop a good Xi of frequent bathing, choose mild soap and shower gel, maintain a suitable water temperature, and pay attention to non-slip. In addition, frequent changes of clothes, laundry, pillowcases, and bed linen are also effective ways to prevent the build-up of dirt and odors.
Secondly, maintaining good indoor ventilation is also an important part. Older people often have a tendency to hoard things, and too much clutter can easily lead to dust accumulation and odor generation. Cleaning your room regularly and opening windows frequently for ventilation can help keep the indoor air fresh.
At the same time, it is important to note that the "smell of old people" is associated with certain diseases. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, etc., can cause the body to release a peculiar odor. Regulating these diseases, controlling the condition, can improve body odor problems.
In terms of diet, the elderly should focus on light, increase the intake of vegetables and fruits, and reduce the intake of greasy foods. Fatty foods may enhance fat oxidation and cause odors. Foods rich in vitamins C and E, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, kiwifruit, spinach and almonds, are good for the body's metabolism and antioxidants, and deserve to be supplemented. It is important to note that a light diet is not the same as a vegetarian diet, and consuming a moderate amount of protein is also good for health.