Nervous System Diseases

The nervous system consists of nerve cells and the connections between them, known as synapses. This system is responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting information around the body. It is also responsible for bodily movement, memory, and many other important functions. Diseases of the nervous system can lead to a wide range of issues depending on the severity and location of the affected nerves. The two main categories of nervous system diseases are degenerative and non-degenerative diseases. Degenerative diseases involve the progressive degeneration of nerve cells, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Non-degenerative diseases, by contrast, involve malfunctions in the way nerves and neurons operate over time, such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Other diseases of the nervous system include traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, migraine, multiple system atrophy, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Traumatic brain injury, for example, is caused by a blow to the head that overwhelms the body’s capacity to adapt. It can cause loss of consciousness, difficulty walking, memory problems, and other cognitive impairments. Stroke is another serious nervous system disease that can impair movement, memory, and coordination. It is caused by a loss of oxygen or blood supply to the brain as a result of a blocked or ruptured artery. Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures due to abnormal activity in the brain. Migraine, another common nervous system disorder, is characterized by recurrent headaches, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity. Multiple system atrophy is a rare neurological disorder that is marked by a progressive loss of nerve control over bodily movement, balance, speech, and other functions. Finally, Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and other symptoms. Treatments for nervous system diseases range from physical therapy to surgery to medications.