what are the dieseases affecting the nervous system

What is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is the body’s most well-organized and complex structural and functional system. It strongly affects both an individual’s psychological and physiologic functions. It is responsible for sending, receiving and processing nerve impulses throughout the body as well as regulating and maintaining homeostasis. The nervous system relies on billions of tiny nerve cells called neurons in order to function. These neurons are responsible for carrying information by sending electrochemical impulses through the nerves to other muscles and organs.

Basically, the nervous system is made up of two divisions: the central and peripheral nervous system. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The brain is the largest, most complex part of the nervous system. It is composed of more than 100 billion neurons and interconnected fibers. It controls how the body functions, and is also responsible for a person’s personality, moods and emotions, and conscious and unconscious thoughts. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and functions by carrying messages between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. 

The peripheral nervous system includes all neurons other than those in the brain and spinal cord. It consists of pathways of nerve fibers between the central nervous system and all remote structures in the body. Included in the peripheral nervous system are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Nerves that conduct impulses toward the brain and spinal cord are called sensory/afferent neurons. On the other hand, nerves that conduct impulses away from the brain and spinal cord are called motor/efferent neurons. Most nerves, however, are mixed, having both sensory and motor components. 

Assessing and Diagnosing Nervous System Problems

Identifying neurologic disorders has always been a challenge. Neurologic disorders range from simple to complex and can have profound consequences for activities of daily living and survival.

When assessing for neurologic problems, you need to establish a baseline data that will be used to compare on-going assessments, diagnosis, management and outcome evaluation. Because of the complexity of the nervous system, assessment is both multifaceted and lengthy. To make it simple, there should be three main components of a neurologic assessment: a comprehensive history, neurologic physical exam, and general and specific neuro-diagnostic studies.

Once a person’s medical history and physical examination have been carefully reviewed, certain diagnostic procedures will be done to help diagnose a specific nervous system disorder. Commonly used non-invasive tests include skull and spinal x-ray studies, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and electroencephalogram. Common invasive diagnostic tests include lumbar puncture, myelography, cerebral angiography and cerebral perfusion studies. 

Common Nervous System Problems

A person who has a neurologic disorder may experience problems that disrupt basic function either permanently or temporarily. Ability to cope with activities of daily living is often altered. There are different kinds of neurologic disorders but in this article, we are only going to mention some of the most common diseases that affect a large number of people worldwide.

Common infections affecting the nervous system are meningitis, encephalitis and epidural abscess. Polio is another nervous system infection that has been controlled since the 1950s when mass immunization was used. However, post-polio syndrome can still develop in polio survivors 30 years after the onset of disease.

Functional disorders include headache (which is the most common), dizziness, neuralgia and epilepsy. Epilepsy differs from seizure in that it is a chronic disorder of repeated seizures. An isolated, single seizure does not constitute epilepsy. Common structural disorders are Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain/spinal cord injury/tumors, and peripheral neuropathy. Stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), subdural haemorrhage and hematoma, subarachnoid haemorrhage and extradural haemorrhage are some of the most common vascular disorders that are potentially fatal to a person if left untreated. People with vascular disorders usually require life-long supportive care.

Common degenerative diseases include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

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