老年人皮膚乾燥，瘙癢眼乾口乾的破局之道

在時光的長河中，老年人就像那歷經風雨的古樹，雖有着歲月的沉澱與智慧，卻也不免遭遇一些身體上的“小麻煩”。口乾、眼乾、皮膚瘙癢，這些看似不起眼的症狀，卻如同惱人的小蟲子，時不時地叮咬着他們的生活，讓本該安逸的晚年多了幾分不適。

乾燥之困：季節與身體的“合謀”

每到春季，那多風的日子就像調皮的孩子，肆意地吹拂着大地，也吹走了老年人身體裏的水分；而秋天，乾燥的氣候宛如一個無形的“乾燥劑”，讓老年人的身體愈發覺得缺水。這季節的變換，就像是一場精心策劃的“陰謀”，與老年人身體內部的變化“合謀”，使得口乾、眼乾、皮膚瘙癢等症狀在此時愈發嚴重。

從中醫的角度來看，氣血不足、津虧血燥是這一切的根本。隨着年齡的增長，人體的各個器官就像老舊的機器，運轉起來不再那麼順暢。肝腎陰虛，就如同機器的潤滑油不足，導致各個部件之間的摩擦增大，出現各種問題；脾胃虛弱，則像是機器的能量供應不足，無法正常地消化和吸收營養，進而影響到全身的氣血運行。據不完全統計，在60歲以上的老年人中，有超過六成的人存在不同程度的口乾、眼乾、皮膚瘙癢等症狀，這足以說明問題的普遍性。

不良生活習慣也是導致這些症狀的“幫兇”。熬夜，就像是在身體裏點燃了一把“小火”，慢慢地消耗着身體的陰液。子時，也就是晚上11點到凌晨1點，是養陰的最佳時段，此時若不入睡，就如同錯過了給身體“澆水”的黃金時間。過度洗浴，就像是把身體這棵“大樹”的樹皮過度剝落，讓皮膚失去了保護，更加乾燥。而且，怒傷肝、思傷脾，情緒的大起大落就像一場暴風雨，會耗損陰血，讓身體的乾燥症狀雪上加霜。

食療妙方：潤澤身體的“甘霖”

既然知道了問題的根源，那麼改善這些症狀就得從滋陰潤燥入手。就像給乾涸的土地澆灌甘霖，食療就是一種溫和而有效的方法。

提到的那個茶飲方子，就像是一杯神奇的“潤燥仙水”。沙蔘、麥冬能潤肺生津，它們就像兩位勤勞的“水精靈”，在身體裏四處奔走，爲乾燥的肺部和口腔帶來水分；玉竹質潤多脂，擅長滋陰潤燥，尤適宜口乾舌燥之人，它就像一塊滋潤的“玉石”，慢慢地釋放着水分，滋潤着身體的每一個角落。取適量北沙蔘、麥冬、玉竹，用沸水沖泡代茶頻飲，就像給身體進行了一場小小的“水療”，讓乾燥的症狀逐漸緩解。

還有那銀耳百合羹，堪稱是一道美味的“潤燥佳餚”。將泡發的銀耳與百合、枸杞一同煮成羹，銀耳滋陰潤肺，就像一朵潔白的雲朵，爲肺部帶來清新的滋潤；百合清心安神，如同一位溫柔的仙子，撫平內心的煩躁；枸杞滋補肝腎，就像一顆小小的能量珠，爲肝腎補充元氣。全方共奏潤肺養心、滋腎明目之效，喝上一口，那細膩的口感和滋潤的感覺，彷彿讓身體置身於一個溼潤的春天。

起居情志：全方位的“乾燥防禦”

除了食療，起居和情志方面的調整也至關重要。起居方面，要避免熬夜，保證子時前入睡。這就好比給身體設定了一個規律的“作息時間表”，讓身體在最佳的時間進行自我修復和調整。居住環境也要保持適當的溼度，就像給身體創造一個舒適的“小氣候”，避免過度乾燥。可以在房間裏放置加溼器，或者擺放幾盆綠色植物，讓空氣變得溼潤起來。

情志上，要保持心境平和。怒傷肝、思傷脾，這些情緒就像隱藏在身體裏的“定時炸彈”，隨時可能引發各種問題。可以通過靜坐、聆聽舒緩音樂等方式調節情緒，就像給心靈做了一次“按摩”，讓內心的煩躁和不安漸漸消散。想象一下，在一個寧靜的午後，坐在窗前，閉上眼睛，靜靜地聆聽那悠揚的音樂，感受着內心的平靜，身體的乾燥症狀似乎也在這一刻得到了緩解。

老年人的口乾、眼乾、皮膚瘙癢等問題，雖然看似小問題，但卻影響着他們的生活質量。我們要像對待珍貴的古董一樣，細心地呵護老年人的身體。通過滋陰潤燥的食療、合理的起居調整和情志調節，爲他們的身體注入“水分”，讓他們在晚年的時光裏，能夠遠離乾燥的困擾，享受健康、舒適的生活。讓我們用愛和關懷，爲老年人的生活增添一抹溫暖的色彩，就像在乾燥的沙漠中，種下一片希望的綠洲。

作者簡介：梁世傑 中醫高年資主治醫師，本科學歷，從事中醫臨牀工作24年，積累了較豐富的臨牀經驗。師從首都醫科大學附屬北京中醫院肝病科主任醫師、著名老中醫陳勇，侍診多載，深得器重，盡得真傳！擅用“商湯經方分類療法”、專病專方結合“焦樹德學術思想”“關幼波十綱辨證”學術思想治療疑難雜症爲特色。現任北京樹德堂中醫研究院研究員，北京中醫藥薪火傳承新3+3工程—焦樹德門人（陳勇）傳承工作站研究員，國際易聯易學與養生專委會常務理事，中國中醫藥研究促進會焦樹德學術傳承專業委員會委員，中國藥文化研究會中醫藥慢病防治分會首批癌症領域入庫專家。榮獲2020年中國中醫藥研究促進會仲景醫學分會舉辦的第八屆醫聖仲景南陽論壇“經方名醫”榮譽稱號。2023年首屆京津冀“扁鵲杯”燕趙醫學研究主題徵文優秀獎獲得者。事蹟入選《當代科學家》雜誌、《中華英才》雜誌。

The Solution to Dry Skin, Itchy Eyes and Dry Mouth in Elderly People

In the long course of time, the elderly are like ancient trees that have weathered storms. Although they possess the accumulation of years and wisdom, they inevitably encounter some physical "troubles." Dry mouth, dry eyes, and itchy skin - these seemingly insignificant symptoms are like annoying little insects that occasionally bite their lives, making their otherwise comfortable old age somewhat uncomfortable.

The Dilemma of Dryness: The "Conspiracy" of Seasons and the Body

Every spring, those windy days are like naughty children, blowing wildly on the earth and blowing away the moisture in the bodies of old people; while autumn, the dry climate is like an invisible "drying agent," making the elderly body feel more and more lack of water. The change of this season is like a well-planned "conspiracy" with the changes inside the elderly body to make symptoms such as dry mouth, dry eyes and itchy skin become more serious at this time.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), deficiency in qi and blood, as well as dryness of the blood due to lack of fluid, are the root causes of all these issues. As people age, various organs in the body become like old machines that no longer function as smoothly. Liver and kidney yin deficiency can lead to increased friction between parts due to insufficient lubrication, resulting in various problems; while weak spleen and stomach energy supply can prevent proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, which in turn affects qi and blood circulation throughout the body. According to incomplete statistics, more than 60% of elderly individuals over the age of 60 suffer from varying degrees of symptoms such as dry mouth, dry eyes, and itchy skin, indicating the prevalence of these issues.

Bad living habits also contribute to these symptoms. Staying up late is like lighting a "small fire" inside the body, slowly consuming the body''s yin fluid. Zi Shi, which is from 11 pm to 1 am in the evening, is the best time to nourish yin. If you don''t sleep at this time, it''s like missing the golden opportunity to "water" your body. Excessive bathing is like over-peeling the bark of this "tree" of the body, which makes the skin lose protection and become drier. Moreover, anger hurts the liver and thinking hurts the spleen, and emotional ups and downs like a storm will deplete yin blood and make the symptoms of dryness worse.

Dietary Remedies: Nourishing Body''s "Rainfall"

Now that we know the root of the problem, improving these symptoms must start with nourishing yin and moistening dryness. Just like pouring sweet rain on parched land, dietary therapy is a gentle yet effective method.

The tea recipe mentioned by Dr. Yang Ge is like a magical “moisturizing fairy water”. Codonopsis pilosula and Ophiopogon japonicus can moisturize the lungs and generate saliva, they are like two diligent “water fairies” running around in the body to bring moisture to dry lungs and mouth; Jade bamboo is rich in fat and is good at nourishing the lining and drying, especially for people with dry mouth and dry mouth. It is like a moisturizing "jade" that slowly releases water and moisturizes every corner of the body. Take an appropriate amount of Beisha ginseng, Ophiopogon and jade bamboo, brew it with boiling water instead of tea, and drink it frequently, just like giving the body a small "spa", so that the symptoms of dryness are gradually relieved.

The silver ear lily soup is a delicious "moisturizing dish." The soaked silver ear is cooked with lily and goji berries to create a soup that nourishes yin and moistens lungs, like a white cloud that brings freshness to the lungs; lily calms the mind and spirit, like a gentle fairy that soothes inner restlessness; goji berries nourish liver and kidney, like a small energy bead that replenishes vital energy to the liver and kidneys. The overall effect of this soup is to moisturize the lungs, nurture the heart, nourish the kidneys, and brighten the eyes. Taking a sip, the delicate texture and moistening sensation make one feel as if they were in a humid spring.

Living mood: all-round "dry defense"

In addition to dietary therapy, adjustments in living habits and emotions are also crucial. In terms of living habits, it is important to avoid staying up late and ensure that you fall asleep before midnight. This is like setting a regular "sleep schedule" for your body, allowing it to repair and adjust itself at its best time. The living environment should also maintain appropriate humidity, just like creating a comfortable "microclimate" for your body, avoiding excessive dryness. You can place a humidifier in the room or put several pots of green plants to make the air moist.

Emotionally, it is important to maintain a peaceful state of mind. Anger harms the liver, while worry harms the spleen; these emotions are like hidden "time bombs" in the body that can trigger various problems at any time. You can regulate your emotions by sitting quietly, listening to soothing music, as if giving yourself a "massage," allowing your inner restlessness and unease to gradually dissipate. Imagine sitting by the window on a quiet afternoon, closing your eyes, and silently listening to the melodious music, feeling the peace within you, as if your dry symptoms have been relieved at that moment.

Dry mouth, dry eyes, and itchy skin in the elderly may seem like minor issues, but they affect their quality of life. We should treat the elderly''s bodies with care, like precious antiques. Through nourishing yin and moistening dryness diet therapy, reasonable living adjustments, and emotional regulation, we can inject moisture into their bodies, allowing them to enjoy healthy and comfortable lives in their later years, free from the troubles of dryness. Let us use love and care to add a warm touch to their lives, like planting an oasis of hope in a dry desert.

Author Bio: Liang Shijie is a senior medical practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine with an undergraduate degree. He has been engaged in traditional medicine clinical work for 24 years and has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience. Following Chen Yong, chief physician of liver disease at Beijing Traditional Medicine Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, and renowned old Chinese medicine, he has been treated for many years and received great attention. He specializes in the treatment of difficult diseases using "conversational traditional therapy" and special treatments combined with the academic ideas of Jiao Shude and Guan Yubo''s ten-level diagnosis.He is currently a researcher at the Shude Tang TCM Research Institute in Beijing, a fellow at the new 3 + 3 project of traditional Chinese medicine flame inheritance in Beijing - a scholar at the inheritance workstation of Jiao Shude''s protégés (Chen Yong),He is a standing committee member of the International Expert Committee on E-learning and Health Care, a member of the Jiao Shude Academic Heritage Special Committee of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of Chinese Medicine Research, and the first cancer specialist to be included in the chapter of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Culture Research Association. Won the 2020 China Association for the Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhongjing Medical Branch held the eighth session of the Medical Saint Zhongjing Nanyang Forum "Classic Prescription Famous Doctor" honorary title. The winner of the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei "Pingui Cup" Yanzhao Medical Research Essay Award in 2023. His work was featured in the journal Current Scientist and the journal Chinese Talent.