As you read this, your eyes are moving around, your fingers are on your phone or mouse, you are breathing... Have you ever thought about the great force behind all this? That is the 'main control center' of our body, the nervous system. Today, let's talk about this amazing system simply and cordially. Just like talking to a friend, not like in a book, but in understandable Sinhala.
Simply put, what is this nervous system?
Imagine your body as a big company. The head office of that company is the nervous system. This is the place that commands and controls everything in the entire body. This head office is made up of three main parts: the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves .
This system works like a telephone network. It sends messages, or electrical signals, between the brain and every other part of the body. These signals tell you to breathe, move your limbs, speak, and see things. Not only that, but it also constantly collects information about what is happening inside and outside your body and decides how to respond to it.
It controls not only the things you do consciously, but also the things you do unconsciously. Think about things like blushing, sweating, and blinking when you feel embarrassed. We don't command them, they just happen automatically. Our nervous system is behind all of this.
What service does the nervous system provide to our body?
The functions it performs are very broad. The main ones are to carry messages from different parts of the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. Let's look at some of the main functions.
| Job type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mental activity | Thinking, remembering, learning new things, feeling emotions like happiness and sadness. |
| Movement control | Walking, running, grasping things, and maintaining balance. |
| Function of the senses | The brain interprets what the eyes see, the ears hear, the tongue tastes, the nose smells, and the skin feels touch. |
| Spontaneous actions | Things we don't consciously control, like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and sweating. |
| Other processes in the body | Even processes such as wound healing, sleep regulation, puberty, and aging contribute to control. |
Okay, now let's see how this system works.
This entire system works using a special type of cell called neurons . These are like the electrical wires in our bodies. These neurons are what carry electrical signals (messages) throughout the body. These messages travel from the brain to the skin, internal organs, and muscles.
Think of your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin as sensors that collect information from the environment. The information collected by these sensors is sent to the brain via nerves (neurons). The brain analyzes that information, makes a decision about what to do, and sends a message back through the nerves to the relevant organ or muscle.
There are three main types of neurons, each with a different function.
| Neuron type | Task and example |
|---|---|
| Motor Neurons | These carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. Simply put, they carry the command "do." Example: These neurons command the muscles in your hand to pick up a glass of water. |
| Sensory Neurons | These collect information from the senses (such as the eyes, ears, and skin) and carry it to the brain. They tell the brain what it "feels." Example: These neurons send the message to the brain that the glass of water you are holding is cold. |
| Interneurons | These are the intermediaries that communicate between motor and sensory neurons, helping us make quick decisions based on the information we receive. Example: If you accidentally touch something hot, as soon as the sensory message arrives that it's hot, these neurons intervene to immediately send the motor message telling you to move your hand away. |
There are two main parts of the nervous system
As we talked about earlier, you can think of our nervous system as a tree. The trunk is the main part of the tree. The branches are the other parts.
Our nervous system is like a tree. The brain and spinal cord are the trunk of the tree. The nerves that branch off from it are the branches of the tree. These branches are spread throughout the body.
Thus, the nervous system is divided into two main parts.
1. Central Nervous System (CNS): This is our 'head office'. It consists of the brain and spinal cord . It reads and understands all incoming messages, and makes decisions.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): This is the 'communication network'. It includes all the nerves that extend from the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body - to the arms, legs, fingers, internal organs - and it carries commands from the CNS to the entire body, and it also carries information from the body to the CNS.
This peripheral nervous system (PNS) is further divided into two parts:
- Somatic Nervous System: This is what controls our conscious and voluntary movements, such as walking, raising an arm, and speaking.
- Autonomic Nervous System: This controls things that we don't consciously do, such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion.
What are the common diseases that affect the nervous system?
Unfortunately, there are a number of diseases and conditions that can affect such an important system. Some of them are:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cancer (especially in the brain or spinal cord)
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy
- Huntington's disease
- Infections, for example meningitis
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
Symptoms that suggest a nervous system problem
Although the symptoms of a nervous system disease vary depending on the disease, there are some common signs that can be seen.
- Changes in movement and balance (difficulty walking, feeling like things are falling apart)
- Memory loss or decline
- Pain, numbness, or pins and needles
- Sudden changes in behavior and mood
- Difficulty thinking and reasoning
- Seizures
Be very careful about these features!
Some conditions, especially things like stroke, are emergencies that require immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately or call the ambulance service on 1990.
- Muscle weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision.
- Slurred speech.
- Sudden confusion.
Tests that check the health of the nervous system
If your doctor suspects a problem with the nervous system, they may perform various tests to confirm it.
- CT scan (Computed tomography - CT scan)
- ECG (Electrocardiogram - ECG or EKG) - View the heartbeat
- EEG (Electroencephalogram - EEG) - View the electrical activity of the brain
- Lumbar puncture (Lumbar puncture / spinal tap) - check the fluid in the spinal cord
- MRI scans (Magnetic resonance imaging - MRI scans) - get very clear pictures of the brain and spinal cord
How do we keep our nervous system healthy?
We need to take good care of such a valuable system. There are a few simple things we can do to help.
- Healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet. Include vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins in your diet. Exercise regularly.
- Avoid harmful things: Smoking and excessive alcohol use can directly damage the nervous system.
- Stay safe: Wear protective gear like a helmet when playing sports or riding a motorcycle. It is very important to prevent head injuries.
- Control other diseases: If you have diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, control them well, as these diseases can also damage the nerves.
- Regular medical checkups: If there is a problem, it is important to seek regular medical advice to identify it early.
Your nervous system is the command center for everything in your body. Keeping it healthy is essential for your overall health. If this system is affected by an infection, accident, or other medical condition, don't panic and see a doctor right away.
Take-Home Message
- Your nervous system is the main control center of your body, made up of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- This system controls things you do consciously, as well as things that happen automatically, such as your heartbeat and breathing.
- The nervous system has two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
- Do not ignore severe symptoms such as sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, or vision changes. Seek medical advice immediately.
- You can keep your nervous system healthy by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and staying safe from accidents.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment