Autonomic Nervous System and Common Neurological Diseases
The Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic system can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, which perform opposing actions.
- The sympathetic system prepares the body to cope with stressful situations, alarm, or situations that require effort, thus increasing energy expenditure.
- In contrast, the parasympathetic system produces relaxation of the body, generally leading to a decrease in energy consumption.
Major Diseases of the Nervous System
Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Alzheimer’s Disease: A degenerative disease caused by the destruction of neurons in the cerebral cortex. It causes memory loss, difficulty in speech, disorientation, aggressiveness, and ultimately results in a total inability to care for oneself. Its causes are unknown, and there is currently no treatment.
- Parkinson’s Disease: A degenerative disease caused by the death of neurons that synthesize the neurotransmitter dopamine. It causes involuntary tremors in the limbs (arms, legs, and head), as well as stiffness of the muscles and trunk, and slowness of movement. There is currently no cure.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system destroys the myelin sheath that covers the axons of neurons. It causes fatigue, tremors, speech problems, and difficulty coordinating movement. There is currently no treatment.
Infectious Diseases
- Meningitis: An inflammation of the meninges caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Meningitis is extremely serious and can cause death. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a very sharp and stiff neck.
Other Nervous System Diseases
- Headaches and Migraines: These are characterized by head pain. Migraines also present with nausea, vision problems, and severe pain. Headaches can be caused by various factors such as emotional tension, stress, postural habits, etc.
- Cerebrovascular Disease: Caused by a poor blood supply to the brain. Neurons require a constant supply of oxygen; when this is disrupted, it can cause a cerebral infarction (death of a brain region). In these cases, the neurons stop working, leading to paralysis of certain body parts or the inability to perform certain functions.
There are also significant diseases affecting the nervous system that impact behavior, such as schizophrenia, neurosis, and depression.
Healthy Habits for the Nervous System
To prevent alterations, it is important to adopt good habits:
- Eat a balanced diet low in sugars and fats, based on fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and reduce meat consumption.
- Whenever possible, avoid motor vehicles and walk frequently.
- Develop critical thinking skills to avoid being swayed by suggestions seen and heard daily in advertising.
- Avoid all types of drugs.
The Effects of Drugs on the Nervous System
Drugs are substances that alter the central nervous system and can cause physical and psychological dependence, as well as tolerance.
Drug addiction, or dependence, is the need to consume these substances to feel good because the absence of the drug produces mental and physiological changes in the addict. Tolerance is the need for increased drug amounts to achieve the same results; the body becomes accustomed to these substances, which are ineffective in small amounts.
Drugs produce significant alterations in the nervous system and other organs of our body.