Topic Overview
The
nervous system is a complex, highly specialized network. It organizes,
explains, and directs interactions between you and the world around you. The
nervous system controls:
- Sight, hearing, taste, smell, and feeling
(sensation).
- Voluntary and
involuntary functions, such as movement, balance, and
coordination. The nervous system also regulates the actions of most other body
systems, such as blood flow and blood pressure.
- The ability to
think and reason. The nervous system allows you to be conscious and have
thoughts, memories, and language.
The nervous system is divided into the brain and spinal cord
(central nervous system, or CNS) and the nerve cells
that control voluntary and involuntary movements (peripheral nervous system, or PNS).
The symptoms of a nervous system problem
depend on which area of the nervous system is involved and what is causing the
problem. Nervous system problems may occur slowly and cause a gradual loss of
function (degenerative). Or they may occur suddenly and cause life-threatening
problems (acute). Symptoms may be mild or severe. Some serious conditions,
diseases, and injuries that can cause nervous system problems include:
- Blood supply problems (vascular disorders).
- Injuries (trauma), especially injuries to the
head and spinal cord.
- Problems that are present at birth
(congenital).
- Mental health problems, such as
anxiety disorders,
depression, or
psychosis.
- Exposure to toxins, such as
carbon monoxide, arsenic, or lead.
- Problems that cause a gradual
loss of function (degenerative). Examples include:
- Infections. These may occur in the:
- Overuse of or withdrawal from
prescription and nonprescription medicines,
illegal drugs, or alcohol.
- A
brain tumor.
- Organ system failure.
Examples include:
- Respiratory failure.
- Heart
failure.
- Liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy).
- Kidney
failure (uremia).
- Other conditions. Some examples include:
A sudden (acute) nervous system problem can cause many
different symptoms, depending on the area of the nervous system involved.
Stroke and
transient ischemic attack (TIA) are common examples of
acute problems. You may experience the sudden onset of one or more symptoms,
such as:
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or
inability to move a part or all of one side of the body (paralysis).
- Dimness, blurring, double
vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Loss of speech,
trouble talking, or trouble understanding speech.
- Sudden, severe
headache.
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, or the inability to stand or
walk, especially if other symptoms are present.
- Confusion or a change in
level of consciousness or
behavior.
- Severe nausea or
vomiting.
Seizures can also cause sudden changes in
consciousness, feeling (sensation), emotion, or thought. Abnormal body
movements, such as muscle twitching, may or may not be present. How often the
seizures occur and how severe they are depend on the cause of the seizures and
the area of the brain involved. For more information, see the topic
Seizures.
Diabetes can cause problems
with balance, either as a result of peripheral neuropathy or stroke.
Vertigo and
dizziness are problems of balance and coordination
(equilibrium). Vertigo is often caused by a
medicine or a problem of the inner ear or brain.
Emotional distress,
dehydration, blood pressure problems, and other
diseases can all cause feelings of dizziness. For more information, see the
topic
Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo.
Most headaches are not caused by serious central nervous system problems.
The pain that comes with a headache can range from a throbbing or a piercing
pain, such as with a
migraine, to severe pain that comes and goes over
several days, such as with
cluster headaches. Headaches are usually caused by
problems with the sinuses, scalp, or muscles of or around the head. For more
information, see the topic
Headaches.
Check your symptoms
to decide if and when you should see a doctor.
Check Your Symptoms
Home Treatment
Specific home treatment for
symptoms related to a
nervous system problem depends on the cause of the
problem. Check your symptoms to determine if and when you
need to see your doctor. Keep a diary of your symptoms to review with your doctor at your next
appointment. See an example of a
diary of symptoms(What is a PDF document?).
For more information on ways to make your home safe when you have nervous system problems, see the topic Preventing Falls.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if your symptoms become more frequent or
severe during home treatment.
Prevention
Follow the prevention guidelines
below:
- Eat a balanced diet. A balanced, low-fat diet
with ample sources of vitamins B6, B12, and folate will help protect the
nervous system. Make sure that your diet contains lots of fresh fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink plenty of water and other
fluids. This helps prevent
dehydration, which can cause confusion and memory
problems.
- To prevent dehydration during hot weather and
exercise, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water, rehydration drinks, or other fluids
each day.
- Drink extra water before, during, and after
exercise. Take a container of water or sports drink
with you when you exercise, and try to drink at least every 15 to 20
minutes.
- Use a sports drink, such as Gatorade or Powerade, if you
will be exercising for longer than 1 hour.
- Limit your intake of
caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and colas, which increase dehydration and
can affect sleep.
- Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about an
exercise plan that will be right for you.
- Do not smoke or use other
tobacco products. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Do not use
alcohol or illegal drugs, which can affect functioning long after
use.
- Take care of health conditions that may cause decreased
nervous system functioning, such as:
- Have your hearing or vision tested. When you do not
hear or see well, it is hard for your brain to record
information.
- Set priorities, and concentrate on one thing at a
time. Older adults have a harder time than younger people giving their
attention to more than one activity.
- Increase your attention span
and ability to focus by learning new skills.
- Keep written notes.
Write all your plans on a calendar where you can look at them
often.
- Use a medicine box with spaces for each day. This will help
you remember when to take your medicines. Take your medicines exactly as they
are prescribed.
- Decrease your use of nonprescription medicines.
Overuse of medicines may be the single biggest cause of nervous system problems
in older adults.
- Develop a positive attitude about your abilities.
Reject the notion that nervous system (neurological) functioning declines with
age.
- Protect yourself from head injuries.
- Prevent falls in your home.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
You can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the
following questions:
- What is your main symptom?
- When did
you first notice your nervous system problem, and what were you doing at the
time?
- How often have you had these symptoms?
- What area
of your body is most affected?
- How long do the symptoms
last?
- Do you have pain? If so, what is it like (dull, sharp,
aching, throbbing)? It may be helpful to keep a
pain diary(What is a PDF document?).
- What seems to make your symptoms better or
worse?
- Do you have other symptoms? Other symptoms may include:
- Vision
loss.
- Weakness.
- Lack of coordination.
- Do you use alcohol or illegal
drugs?
- What prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take,
and what are the doses? Bring all of your medicines with you to your next
appointment.
- Have you had a recent illness or
injury?
- Does anyone in your family have similar
symptoms?
- Have you recently traveled outside of the
country?
- Do you have any
health risks?
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
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| Last Revised | September 1, 2011 |
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