Neurological System Disorders

The human central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. It has the onus of conducting and coordinating all the various functions of the body with the help of its motor and sensory information. There are many neurological system diseases that affect the central nervous system. The symptoms produced by these neurological system diseases can pose a threat to one’s life and can also disable a person for a lifetime. Some of these disorders are:

1. Multiple Sclerosis:

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, as it is better known, is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. This is one of the neurological system diseases that affect a huge number of people.

• MS is basically an autoimmune disease, that is, a disease wherein the defense of the body attacks the myelin tissue that protects the nerves and is present around them. This results in the destruction of the myelin, which interrupts the transmission of signals to and from the brain.
• The symptoms produced by this include numbness, problems in coordination, fatigue, balancing problems, impairment of vision, dysfunction of the bowels and bladder, pain, dizziness, speech disorders, loss of hearing, emotional pangs, stifled breathing, and seizures.
• The symptoms become more prominent over time, leading to the debilitation of a person over time.

2. Meningitis:

• Meningitis is the swelling up of the 3 meninges, the membranes that surround the spinal cord and the brain. The cause may be infection due to viruses, bacteria or even fungi.
• The symptoms produced are fever, headache and a stiff neck.
• The viral meningitis is said to resolve of its own accord. Bacterial meningitis can be severe and can get very bad.
• If it is not treated in time, it can lead to problems in behavior, learning, and loss of hearing, blindness, paralysis, speech problems, brain damage and even eventual death.

3. Huntington’s disease:

• This is a primarily genetic disease that results in the death of the cells of the brain. As the number of cells dying increases, the brain degenerates and dies.
• It can get quite bad with the passage of time.
• The early symptoms of this disease are memory problems, depression, mood swings, incapability to learn new things and in making decisions.
• As the disease progresses. There can arise difficulties in feeding oneself, swallowing and performing the simplest of tasks.

 

4. Alzheimer’s disease:

• This is one of the neurological system diseases that can lead to death in many cases. It destroys the brain cells due to the formation of plaque in the cell bodies. This destroys the cells of the brain, leading to congenital and cognitive impairments.
• The symptoms include changes in behavior, memory loss, lack of concentration, and much other impairment.
• As of the present, there have been no remedies discovered for this disease, though many organizations are working at it.

5. Parkinson’s Disease:

This is one of the neurological system diseases that affect a large number of people today. The brain cells in a particular area of the brain, called the substantia nigra, The cells in this region produce dopamine, a chemical that helps in the relay of messages to and from the brain. The cells producing dopamine, a chemical necessary for controlled and smooth movements are destroyed. The lower levels of Dopamine decrease, the symptoms become better manifested.