Lesson 5 Care and Problems of the Nervous System How often do you engage in activities in which there is a risk of head or spinal injury? Proper use of helmets and safety belts protects the brain and spinal column from injury.

Lesson 5 Lesson Objectives Examine the effects of health behavior on the nervous system List different types of head and spinal cord injuries Define disease and disorders of the nervous system In this lesson, you will learn to:

Lesson 5 Importance of the Nervous System Your nervous system interacts and coordinates with all other body systems. Any injury to the nervous system affects the immediate tissues and may lead to dysfunction in other areas of the body. Health behaviors, such as eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly, affect the health of your nervous system. Care of the Nervous System

Lesson 5 Ways to Keep Your Nervous System Healthy To protect your head and spine, wear a helmet and protective gear. Before diving, always check water depth and look along the bottom for protruding logs or rocks. Avoid the use of alcohol and drugs, which can cause permanent damage. Wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Care of the Nervous System

Lesson 5 Head and Spinal Cord Injuries Problems of the nervous system can result from damage to nerve cells or injury to the head or spinal cord. These injuries may result from falls, sports or recreational activities, motor vehicle crashes, physical assaults, or gunshot wounds. Problems of the Nervous System

Lesson 5 Head Injuries Although the brain is protected by the bones of the skull, any direct blow to the head can cause injury. A concussion, the mildest and most common type of brain injury, results in a temporary loss of consciousness. A contusion is a bruising of the brain tissues that can result in dangerous swelling. A major trauma to the brain can result in a coma, a state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be roused. Problems of the Nervous System

Lesson 5 Spinal Injuries Any injury to the spine must be considered serious and should be evaluated by a health care professional. Swelling of the spinal cord or the tissue around it in response to trauma can result in temporary loss of nerve function. An injury to the upper part of the spinal cord may result in quadriplegia, or paralysis of both upper and lower limbs. Paraplegia, paralysis of both lower limbs, can be caused by an injury that occurs at a lower point in the spinal column. Problems of the Nervous System

Lesson 5 Common Degenerative Ailments of the Nervous System Parkinson’s Disease Multiple SclerosisAlzheimer’s Disease Degenerative diseases cause affected cells and tissues to break down or deteriorate over time. Degenerative Diseases

Lesson 5 Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease results in the destruction of nerve cells in an area of the brain that helps coordinate skeletal muscle movement. It is a progressive disorder. As the cells are destroyed, muscle function is impaired. Symptoms include uncontrolled muscle tremors and increased muscle rigidity. There is no known cause or cure at present. Degenerative Diseases

Lesson 5 Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis involves the destruction of the myelin sheath that surrounds the axons of neurons in the CNS. The scar tissue that remains on the neuron interferes with the conduction of nerve impulses, and voluntary control of muscles gradually decreases. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own tissues. Degenerative Diseases

Lesson 5 Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease results when neurons in the brain are destroyed. If neurons become clogged with protein deposits, they are unable to transmit impulses. The result is confusion, loss of memory, and gradual mental deterioration. Currently, the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Degenerative Diseases

Lesson 5 Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy Other disorders of the nervous system may not be progressive or degenerative. In some cases, a cause may never be identified. Other Disorders and Problems Epilepsy Cerebral Palsy

Lesson 5 Epilepsy Epilepsy can be caused by several different factors, including brain damage before or during birth, infections, or head injury.Epilepsy Seizures may be small and brief, or they may be quite severe. Medications can help control seizures so that a person with epilepsy can lead a normal, healthy life. Other Disorders and Problems

Lesson 5 Cerebral Palsy Causes of cerebral palsy may include infections such as encephalitis or meningitis, head injury, or exposure to radiation before birth.cerebral palsy Physical therapy, braces to enable walking, and medication can help cerebral palsy patients be independent and participate in everyday activities. Other Disorders and Problems

Lesson 5 Quick Review Q. You can help protect your head and spine by doing which of the following? 1.Wearing a helmet while riding a bike 2.Wearing a safety belt when driving 3.Checking the depth of the water before diving into a pool or lake 4.All of the above

Lesson 5 Click Next to attempt another question. A. 4. All of the above Wearing protective gear and taking basic precautions when engaging in contact sports and activities can help protect your head and spine. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 Q. A ___ is the most common type of brain injury. Choose the appropriate option. 1.Coma 2.Headache 3.Concussion 4.Stroke Quick Review

Lesson 5 Click Next to attempt another question. A. 3. concussion A concussion, the mildest and most common type of brain injury, results in a temporary loss of consciousness, sometimes lasting only a few seconds. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 Q. ___ results in the destruction of nerve cells in an area of the brain that helps coordinate skeletal muscle movement. Choose the appropriate option. 1.Multiple sclerosis 2.Parkinson’s disease 3.Alzheimer’s disease 4.Cerebral palsy Quick Review

Lesson 5 Click Next to attempt another question. A. 2. Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder. As the cells of the brain are destroyed, muscle function is impaired. Symptoms include uncontrolled muscle tremors and muscle rigidity. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 End of Lesson 5 Click Home to view the Main menu.

Lesson 5 A. Correct! Wearing protective gear and taking basic precautions when engaging in contact sports and activities can help protect your head and spine. Click Next to attempt another question. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 A. Correct! A concussion, the mildest and most common type of brain injury, results in a temporary loss of consciousness, sometimes lasting only a few seconds. Click Next to attempt another question. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 A. Correct! Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder. As the cells of the brain are destroyed, muscle function is impaired. Symptoms include uncontrolled muscle tremors and muscle rigidity. Click Next to attempt another question. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer. Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 5 Epilepsy can be caused by several different factors, including brain damage before or during birth, infections, or head injury.Epilepsy Seizures may be small and brief, or they may be quite severe. Medications can help control seizures so that a person with epilepsy can lead a normal, healthy life. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that is characterized by recurrent seizures—sudden episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that is characterized by recurrent seizures—sudden episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Other Disorders and Problems

Lesson 5 Cerebral Palsy Causes of cerebral palsy may include infections such as encephalitis or meningitis, head injury, or exposure to radiation before birth. Physical therapy, braces to enable walking, and medication can help cerebral palsy patients be independent and participate in everyday activities. Cerebral palsy refers to a group of non-progressive neurological disorders that are the result of damage to the brain before, during, or just after birth or in early childhood. Other Disorders and Problems