Verified By Apollo Doctors January 17, 2023
4283Imagine this. A famous mall functions seamlessly throughout the day, every day, and week. It is possible because a command centre works tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the mall efficiently and effectively works without a hitch. Similarly, in the human body, the nervous system is the body’s command centre.
The nervous system guides almost everything we do, including what we think, say or feel. It also controls complicated processes such as thought, memory and movement The nervous system also plays a vital role in the things our body does without thinking, like blushing, blinking and breathing.
Certain aspects, such as diseases, trauma, toxins, and ageing processes, cause harm to the nervous system.
The blog explains the nervous system, its types, structure, symptoms, functions, and the various conditions that may affect the nervous system.
As mentioned earlier, the nervous system is a control center of the body that assists a person in cognitive ability, speech, and emotion. It also controls major complicated processes such as movements, thoughts, and memory.
The human nervous system includes the brain, the spinal cord as well as the nerves that branch out to other body parts, such as the glands, organs and muscles. The complex systems of nerves gather information from the environment, interpret information, and facilitate response. Thus, it affects every aspect of a person’s life, such as the following:
The nervous system makes use of specialized cells known as neurons to send signals or messages, throughout your body.
The nervous system has two main parts. Each of these parts comprises billions of nerve cells, also known as neurons. These cells transmit signals to different body parts and signal each one to respond and act in a particular way. The main components of the nervous system are as follows:
The nervous system has numerous functions. The billions of neurons function to transmit signals and messages throughout the body. The sense organs, such as eyes, ears, tongues, noses, and other body parts, comprehend information from all around and send them to and from the brain.
Each neuron has different functions. Motor neurons are responsible for muscle movement, whereas sensory neurons transmit information from the sense organs and send it to the brain. Other bodily functions that the body automatically performs, such as breathing, shivering, regular heartbeat, and digesting food, are controlled by the autonom nervous system.
The primary functions of the nervous system:
Once the motor neurons receive messages from the brain and spinal cord, they immediately show appropriate actions, such as contraction and relaxation. In addition, several glands discharge enzymes and hormones due to the message received from the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary movements. For example, if a person sees a dog from a distance, the signal generates by sight sends a message to the brain. Once the information is processed, the brain signals the muscles and body to move and signals the body to sweat and increase heartbeat.
Numerous conditions and disorders may affect the nervous system . Some of them are due to injury or genetics. In some cases, the nerves get damaged, leading to interruptions in sending and receiving messages. Thus, nerve injury may cause various symptoms, including numbness, pain, and a feeling of pins and needles. Some of the common diseases and disorders are as follows:
Each person may experience the symptoms differently. The following are the common symptoms of nervous system disorders and conditions:
The above symptoms may also be similar to other medical conditions or issues.
If a person notices sudden changes, including loss of coordination or severe muscle weakness, seek immediate medical attention. Also, a person should immediately contact their healthcare provider or go to the hospital if they experience the following:
The nervous system is the command centre for the entire body which needs care in order to keep it working correctly. Avoid drugs, eat a healthy diet, drink alcohol in moderation and consult your doctor regularly. Managing conditions, like diabetes that can injure nerves, is the best way to avoid nerve damage.
At Apollo, we believe that easily accessible, reliable health information can make managing health conditions an empowering experience. Apollo Hospitals Online Health Library team consists of medical experts who create curated peer-reviewed medical content that is regularly updated and is easy-to-understand.
March 8, 2023