Nervous System

Our next topic will be the physical health that is in line with the topic, Nervous System. Before we discuss about the way on keeping our nervous system healthy and it’s disorders, we need to understand the basic theory of the Nervous System at first. Happy studying!

THE INTRODUCTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM
 

Our Nervous System is made up of :

i) The central nervous system (CNS) that comprised of:

-the brain; and

-the spinal cord

ii) The peripheral nervous system (PNS) that comprised of:

-the cranial nerves; and

-the spinal nerves

1) The Nerve Cells

All of those systems above are made up of nervous tissue that consist of :

~ sensory neuron that transmits nerve impulses from receptors to CNS

~ motor neuron that transmits nerve impulses from CNS to effectors

~ relay/intermediate neuron that transmits nerve impulses from sensory neurones to motor neurones and found within CNS.

If you would like to see about their furthermore structures with pictures, please visit:
http://www.biologymad.com/NervousSystem/nervoussystemintro.htm#nervecells

Knowledges of article from: Lam, Peng Kwan. & Eric Y K Lam. (2007). G.C.E ‘O’ Level Biology Matters. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

2) Parts of Brain

Part of Mammalian Brain	Function(s)
Forebrain	- Focused on intelligence, memory, learning, sensations, and all of the voluntary actions, also emotions in humans. - Concerned with the regulation of body temperature and blood osmotic pressure. - Produces and releases important hormones.
Midbrain	- Focused on visual reflexes/sight.
Hindbrain	- Controls muscular coordination - Controls involuntary actions (heartbeat, peristaltis, etc)

Lam, Peng Kwan. & Eric Y K Lam. (2007). G.C.E ‘O’ Level Biology Matters. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

3) Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

Lam, Peng Kwan. & Eric Y K Lam. (2007). G.C.E ‘O’ Level Biology Matters. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

Spinal Cord: It contains the grey matter in a form of ‘H’ which covered by the white matter. A narrow central canal that contains the cerebrospinal fluid runs in the middle of it and gives nutrition to the Spinal Cord.

Spinal Nerves: It contains the sensory neurons & motor neurons.

4) Voluntary and Reflex Actions

Reflex action: It is an immediate respon to a specific stimulus without unconcious thought/control.

Example : Touching hot object.

Involving: All neurons

Check out this video for more details about reflex action:

Voluntary action: It is an action under our control.

Example: Taking book.

Doesn’t involve: Receptor neuron.

Knowledges of article from: Lam, Peng Kwan. & Eric Y K Lam. (2007). G.C.E ‘O’ Level Biology Matters. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

THE DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

After knowing and understanding the theories of the Nervous System, let us discuss the physical health that is in line with this topic such as learning about the diseases or medical problems (curable/uncurable). There may not be ways to prevent it or things that may causes it as the technology haven’t been that good to discover it.

Here are some of the common Nervous System disorders (neurological diseases);

• Acute Spinal Cord Injury
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Bell’s Palsy
• Brain Tumors
• Epilepsy and Seizures
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• Head Injury (leading to concussions)
• Headache
  · Migraines
  · Tension Headaches
  · Cluster Headaches
  · Rebound Headaches
• Lumbar Disc Disease (Herniated Disc)
• Meningitis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Stroke (Brain Attack)

(Source : http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1098994230654.html)

From what shown above, we are going to discuss only on the 3 most common topics which are the blue-coloured ones. If you want to learn more about the rest, please visit the link of the website above.

1) Bell’s Palsy

• What is Bell’s Palsy?
  Bell’s palsy is a condition that partly or completely paralyzes the side of your face. Bell’s palsy occurs when your cranial nerve is damaged. The cranial nerve carries signals for movement and taste and other information to and from your face. When this nerve is damaged, your face can’t get these signals to and from the brain. While it may seem scary at the time, Bell’s palsy usually doesn’t last long (often goes away on its own within 1 or 2 months.)
  (summed from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/934.html)

• What causes Bell’s Palsy?
  A specific cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, however, it has been suggested that the disorder may be inherited. It also may be associated with the following:
  :( diabetes
  :( high blood pressure
  :( trauma
  :( toxins
  :( Lyme disease
  :( Guillain-Barré syndrome
  :( sarcoidosis
  :( myasthenia gravis
  :( infection
  (source: http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1098987327806.html)
• How is Bell’s Palsy treated?
  
  :) Take a prescribed course so that your chances of full recovery will be improved.
  :) Remember to eat well and get plenty of rest.
  :) Keep your eyes moist! Wear a sunglasses outdoors, use an eye drops during the day, and wear an eye patch to keep your eye closed during night time.
  :) Apply low heat (gel pack/heating pad) to the affected area.
  
  Your recovery time will depend on how badly your facial nerve is damaged. If it takes a long time to improve, you may have a few lasting effects. For example, you may have facial movements you can’t control, or your eyes may water or tear.
  (summed from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/934.html)

2) Stroke

• What is Stroke?
  Stroke usually caused by the blockage in the arteries that carries blood to the brain. The part of the brain which the arteries are blocked can be damage and result that part to not function properly. The symptoms can be expressed as following:

· Having difficulty on moving arm/leg on one side of the body

· One eye may suddenly loss it’s vision or blackout.

· Having trouble on talking and hearing others.

· Sudden severe headache with no reason

· Can not maintain the balance when walking and eventually fall.

If this symptoms happen, call the doctor right away before the damage goes completely or permanent.
(knowledge from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/heartdisease/basics/290.html)

• What causes Stroke?

Below are some of the factors that may cause stroke.
1) High blood pressure
2) High cholesterol level
3) Uncontrolled diabetes
4) Smoking!
5) Atherosclerosis
6) Heart disease
7) Etc…
(knowledge from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/heartdisease/basics/290.html)

• How to prevent stroke?

Check out the video below on how to prevent stroke!

View more Staying Healthy at Work Videos from www.HealthGuru.com

3) Migraines

• What is Migraines?
  Migraines is one of the most common type of painful headaches which can make you fell bothered with lights/noise/odour, making you feel very tired, causing blurred vision, etc. Migraines usually last from 4
  The two most common types of migraines are the;
  -Classic Migraines, begin with a warning sign (called an aura). The head pain of classic migraines may occur on one side of your head or on both sides.
  -Common Migraines, don’t start with an aura and the pain only occurs on one side of your head.
  (knowledge from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/127.html) to 72 hours and it occurs more frequently in women than men.

· What causes it?
The migraine pain caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels. This expansion of blood vessels caused by the change in the level of a chemical made in the brain called serotonin which have an effect on blood vessels.

Here are the things that can set off migraines:

Check out for more foods that may trigger migraines on;
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/127.html

· How to prevent it?
-Avoid those foods or other things that seem to cause migraines for you.
-Drink plenty of water and take a rest properly-Try to relax and reduce the stress in your life.
-Get a regular exercise (e.g, aerobic exercise). It will keep your weight in check as obesity can contribute to migraines.

(knowledge from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/127.html)

-Prinka Anandawardhani-