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 Objectives In this lesson, you’ll learn to: Examine the effects of health behaviors on the nervous system. Identify different types of head and spinal cord injuries. Describe different diseases and disorders of the nervous system.

Care of the Nervous System 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 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. Wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Avoid the use of alcohol and drugs, which can cause permanent damage.

Problems of the Nervous System 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 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 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.

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

Degenerative Diseases 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 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 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.

Other Disorders and Problems 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. Epilepsy Cerebral Palsy

Other Disorders and Problems Epilepsy Epilepsy can be caused by several different factors, including brain damage before or during birth, infections, or head injury. 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 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.

Q. What precautions should you take before diving into Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. What precautions should you take before diving into water? Click Next to view the answer.

Quick Review - Answer A. Before diving, always check water depth and look along the bottom for protruding logs or rocks. Click Next to attempt another question.

Q. Explain the difference between a concussion and a coma. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Explain the difference between a concussion and a coma. Click Next to view the answer.

A. A concussion, the mildest and most common type of brain Quick Review - Answer A. A concussion, the mildest and most common type of brain injury, results in a temporary loss of consciousness. A major trauma to the brain can result in a coma, a state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be roused. Click Next to attempt another question.

Q. How does multiple sclerosis affect the nervous system? Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. How does multiple sclerosis affect the nervous system? Click Next to view the answer.

A. Multiple sclerosis involves the destruction of the myelin Quick Review - Answer A. 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. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Analyze the following situation. Examine the effects of health behaviors you can practice to prevent injury to the nervous system. Give a specific example.

Other Disorders and Problems Epilepsy Epilepsy can be caused by several different factors, including brain damage before or during birth, infections, or head injury. 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 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 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.