Have you ever wondered how you can move your arms and legs without thinking, how you can pull your hand away from something hot before it touches it, or how things like breathing and heart rate happen automatically without you even realizing it? All of this is controlled from behind by an amazing, high-speed 'message network' in our body. Today we are talking about this amazing system, which in medicine is called the Nervous System.
Simply put, what is the nervous system?
Imagine your body as a big city. The nervous system is the most sophisticated communication network in that city. It is through this that messages are sent and received from one part of the body to another. The main center, or control room, of this is our brain .
The brain, spinal cord, and nerves that run throughout the body are the main parts of this system. These nerves, which run like electrical wires, carry messages from the brain to other parts of the body, and messages from other parts of the body return to the brain. To exchange these messages, billions of tiny cells are used. We call them neurons . These messages are sent in the form of electrical and chemical signals.
How does this system work?
This is a very amazing process. The billions of neurons we talked about earlier are connected to each other to send messages. The tiny gap between one neuron and the next is called a synapse .
A message travels from one neuron to the next across this synapse. This is helped by special chemicals called neurotransmitters . You may have heard of dopamine and serotonin, but they are two types of neurotransmitters.
Imagine that you are walking barefoot and suddenly a thorn pricks you. At that moment, the nerves in your soles send the message, "This hurts!", at high speed along neurons in your spinal cord to your brain. The brain understands that message and sends back the command, "Get your foot out of the way!" All of this happens in the blink of an eye. Some messages travel at speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
Main parts of the nervous system
Because it controls almost every function in our body, scientists divide the nervous system into two main parts for convenience.
| Part of the system | Role and description |
|---|---|
| 1. Central Nervous System (CNS) | This is our 'control center'. It consists of only the brain and spinal cord . The brain is well protected by the skull and the spinal cord by the spinal cord. In addition, they are further protected by three membranes called meninges and a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid . |
| 2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | This is the network of nerves that extends from the brain and spinal cord and covers the entire body. This is also divided into two parts. |
| ↳ Autonomic Nervous System | This part controls things we can't control consciously (heart rate, breathing, sweating, digestion). It also has two opposing parts: the Sympathetic (which prepares the body for 'fight-or-flight' in an emergency) and the Parasympathetic (which helps the body 'rest-and-digest') systems. |
| ↳ Somatic Nervous System | This part controls the things we can intentionally control (muscle movement, speech) and our senses (feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling). |
What are the diseases that affect the nervous system?
Although our nervous system has good protection, like every other organ, it can also be subject to various diseases and damage.
Infections
Germs can enter the nervous system and cause disease.
- Meningitis : Infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Encephalitis: Infection and swelling of the brain.
- Brain abscess: A collection of pus in the brain.
- Polio : A now very rare viral disease that affects the nerves.
Injuries caused by accidents
The nervous system can be damaged by vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, or certain medical conditions.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by compression of a major nerve in the wrist.
- Pinched nerve : A nerve compressed by tissue such as bone or muscle.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Disorders affecting the functioning of the nervous system
- Parkinson's disease: A brain disease that affects movement and worsens over time.
- Multiple sclerosis: A disease that damages the protective covering around the nerves.
- Alzheimer's disease: The most common type of dementia, characterized by gradual memory loss.
- ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis): A disease that causes loss of muscle control.
Blood vessel issues
- Stroke: Brain damage caused by the blockage or rupture of a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.
- TIA (Transient ischemic attack): A temporary interruption of blood supply to the brain.
- Subdural hematoma: Bleeding near the brain after a head injury.
How do you know if there is a problem with the nervous system?
Symptoms of a nervous system problem vary, depending on which type of nerve is affected.
| Nervous type | Symptoms that may occur when affected |
|---|---|
| Motor nerves (controls muscles and movement) | Muscle pain, weakness, twitching, muscle contractions, problems with walking and balance. |
| Sensory nerves (touch, temperature, pain) | Numbness, burning or pain in the limbs, decreased sensation of heat/cold, difficulty doing delicate tasks such as buttoning. |
| Autonomic nerves (Controls actions that occur automatically) | Fast or slow heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, difficulty swallowing food, excessive sweating or no sweating, constipation or diarrhea. |
The important thing is that many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so if you have these symptoms, it's best to talk to your doctor to find out exactly what's going on.
How do we keep our nervous system healthy?
A few simple changes in our lifestyle can go a long way in maintaining the health of the nervous system.
Nutrition and the nervous system
What you eat directly affects the long-term health of your brain and nervous system. Foods that contain these nutrients are especially important:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Can be obtained from oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring), flaxseed, chia seeds, and nuts such as walnuts.
- Vitamin B: These are found in chicken, fish, eggs, yogurt, potatoes, peas, and fruits.
- Antioxidants: These can be obtained from colorful vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and spices.
Whenever possible, try to eat whole foods instead of processed foods.
Stress and the nervous system
If you're constantly stressed or anxious, it's a huge burden on your nervous system. Here are some things you can do to help manage it:
- Breathing slowly, deeply.
- Splashing a little water on the face.
- Engaging in exercises such as walking and swimming.
- Practicing things like meditation or yoga.
- If you are an adult, get 7-9 hours of good sleep a day.
If these things don't help, see your doctor for advice .
Take-Home Message
- The nervous system is our body's main communication network, made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- All of our movements, sensations, heartbeat, and breathing are controlled by this system.
- A well-balanced diet, stress management, and adequate sleep are essential for the health of the nervous system.
- If you have symptoms such as numbness, weakness, memory problems, or difficulty moving, don't waste time and see your doctor immediately.
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