Let's learn about the 'wire' system that runs throughout our body: Nerves.

Have you ever wondered how you can pull your hand away from a hot cup of coffee? Or how you know exactly where a mosquito has bitten and feel like biting it? Behind all this is an amazing, high-speed communication network in our bodies. It's like a system of 'cables' running throughout our bodies. Today we're talking about the nerves, which are an important part of this amazing network.

What exactly are nerves?

Simply put, nerves are a specialized system of cables that carry electrical impulses back and forth between your brain and every other part of your body. Just like the wires in your house, they are where messages travel. These messages are what allow you to feel things and move your limbs the way you want.

Not only that, but many things that happen to you without you even realizing it are controlled by this nervous system. For example, think about things like breathing, sweating, and digestion. These are not things you do consciously. They happen automatically. The nerves help with this too.

Nerves are made up of nerve cells . We call these neurons in medicine. These neurons are found throughout your body, especially in your brain and spinal cord. Your nerves, brain, and spinal cord together make up the Nervous System .

Doctors usually refer to the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which extends to the rest of the body. We call it the Peripheral Nervous System .

What are the main types of nerves?

The nerves in our body can be divided into two main types based on the function they perform.

Also, these nerves are divided into two main categories based on where they begin.

Cranial Nerves

These are the nerves that start directly from your brain . There are 12 pairs of them. These nerves are mainly distributed in your face, head, and neck. They can perform both sensory (feeling) and motor (movement) functions. For example, these cranial nerves help you smile, frown, move your eyes, and smell.

Spinal Nerves

These are the nerves that start in your spinal cord, which runs through your spine . There are 31 pairs of them. These nerves branch out from the spinal cord throughout your body. They also perform both sensory and motor functions. For example, these nerves carry sensations from your joints and muscles to the spinal cord. They also control the reflexes we talked about earlier, like pulling your hand away from something hot.

What service do nerves provide to our body?

Many things in your body are controlled by electrical signals traveling through your nerves. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Voluntary movements: Any movement you make consciously, such as walking, running, or writing.
• Senses: touch, pain, heat/cold, vibration, hearing, body balance, taste, smell, and sight.
• Blood pressure: Maintaining blood pressure at the required level.
• Breathing: The process of breathing that happens without you being aware of it.
• Digestion: The functioning of the digestive system.
• Heart rate: Controlling the rate at which the heart beats.
• Stress response: Preparing the body for an emergency.

How does this nervous system work?

This is a very interesting process. Think of your peripheral nervous system as a network of postmen all over the country. They collect information (letters) from all over the body and deliver them to the main post office.

Your central nervous system , which is your brain and spinal cord, is the main post office. It is there that the messages (information) brought by the peripheral nerves are read, understood, and decided what to do next. Then that decision is sent back as a message to the appropriate place.

If we look a little deeper into how a message travels...

The transmission of an electrical message along a nerve is like passing a baton in a relay race.

1. The electrical signal travels along the long part of the nerve cell called the axon .

2. When it reaches the end of the axon, this electrical signal becomes a chemical signal.

3. There, chemical molecules called neurotransmitters are released.

4. These molecules swim across a tiny gap between one nerve cell and the next. We call that gap a synapse .

5. When this neurotransmitter binds to the receptors on the next nerve cell, it is converted back into an electrical signal and travels along the next nerve cell.

6. This process repeats until the message reaches the appropriate target (e.g., a muscle).

What does the inside of a nerve look like?

If we take a nerve and look at it under a microscope, we can identify some of the main parts it is made up of.

If this myelin sheath is damaged, much like a short circuit when the insulation on a wire is cut, the nerves cannot transmit messages properly. Sometimes, the messages can stop altogether.

Are there any diseases that affect the nerves?

Yes, absolutely. When nerve damage disrupts the transmission of messages, various neurological conditions can occur. Two of the most common are:

• Peripheral Neuropathy: This is damage to the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. This condition can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning, electric shock-like sensations, and muscle weakness. This condition is common among people with diabetes.
• Sciatica: This is another condition that many people have heard of and experienced. It is a severe pain caused by the compression of the large nerve called the ``Sciatic nerve`` that runs from your lower back down your legs. This pain can travel from your back through your buttocks and down your legs.

How do we keep our nerves healthy?

Your nervous system is one of your body's most valuable assets, and there are many simple things you can do to keep it healthy.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels and reduce blood supply to the nerves.
• Eat a nutritious diet: Eat foods rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein. Vitamin B, in particular, is very important for nerve health.
• Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can directly damage the nerves.
• Control other diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, control them well according to your doctor's instructions, as these diseases are more likely to cause nerve damage.
• Reduce stress: Reducing stress through things like meditation and exercise is beneficial for the entire nervous system.
• Get enough sleep: Get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep a day. It is during sleep that the body repairs itself.
• Drink enough water: Prevent the body from becoming dehydrated.

Things to ask your doctor

If you have any nerve problems, such as pain or numbness, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about it. You can ask questions like:

• "How do I know for sure if I have nerve pain?"
• "What is the most likely cause of this pain or numbness?"
• "What tests are there to check the health of my nerves?"
• "What treatments are available to improve the health of my nervous system?"
• "What should I do to prevent these kinds of nerve problems from happening again?"

Nerves, Nervous system, Neuron, Nerve pain, Peripheral Neuropathy, Sciatica, Brain