The nervous system

The nervous system

NERVOUS SYSTEM – The nervous system

Our technology makes remotes in every aspect and advancement, for example, roaming cell phone, TV, satellite control, etc. But the wired nervous system still remains a mystery to our advanced brains. The brain, spinal cord and nerves seem to be extraordinarily complex and seem to be far beyond our reach till this moment.

Our advanced medicine world is able to perform surgery by shutting brain consciousness, feelings and functions i.e. with the aid of anaesthesia (either local or general). It can alleviate or suppress

the pain / headache with benumbing agents or pain-killer tablets. It can also suppress the neuralgic twitchings and epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs. But, till now the advanced medicine world is not able to enhance nerve functions or memory. For example – in case of paralysis, memory loss, retinal damage, auditory nerve damage, etc., our technology is insufficient. The nervous system needs more and more research to achieve transplantation as in other systems, for example – kidney transplant, heart valve transplant, etc. So, if Nature could be explored more scientifically for advancement of the nervous system, disabilities like even blindness, deafness and dumbness can be rooted out.

The nervous system, i.e. the informative technology (wired connections) of our body, is very much essential for our living, survival and communication. With electrical impulses, they communicate, interact, interpret, coordinate and function efficiently, in a very fast manner – in a fraction of second. They can conduct messages at a rate of more than 20 km per minute. This speed makes its functions invaluable, for example – Nerves involved in blinking. The act of blinking takes care for washing the eye and also some times protects the eye from dust or injury even without our knowledge or control. This action comes as an automatic reflex action for body protection. Nerves work for our breathing, digestion, etc., even during sleep. Also, without nerves one will be paralysed, comatose, lose bladder control, stool control, etc., making living difficult.

Nervous problems – In recent days, our mental and physical stress and strain, additive habits,

sleeplessness, etc., has been causing more neurological problems. Nervous problem can occur due to various reasons, i.e. infection, inflammation, disease, damage, compresion, toxicity of drugs, etc. The common nervous complaints are neuritis, cramp, headache, polio, paralysis, herpes, ganglion, injuries, paresis, weakness, epilepsy, Parkinson’s diseases, etc. It often produces complaints like numbness, loss of sensation, paresis, paralysis, burning pain, shooting/lightning pain, referred pain, radiating pain, blindness, hearing loss, loss of speech, loss of facial expressions, etc. To understand nervous problems and the way of soothing it, one needs to know about the nervous system.

Nervous system – The nervous system cares for and controls the whole body. That’s why, the nervous system is given very much importance by Nature and it seems to be the most cared-for and protected part of the body. The brain, weighing less than 1.5 kg of a 65 kg adult human, has been given a safe vault – the skull has protective covering. Likewise, the spinal cord, weighing less than 50 gm, is given vertebral column/bones for its protection.

The nervous system consists of central nervous system and peripheral nerves. Brain, the boss, cares for our mind, memory, learning, emotions, feelings, thought, perceptions, reasoning, speech, hearing, smell, etc. In correlation with the peripheral nervous system (cranial and spinal nerves) it accesses and implements sensation, movements, coordination of functions, breathing, blood pressure, heart functions, appetite, thirst, digestion, temperature, etc. Billions and billions of nerve cells are engaged in maintenance functions of our body.

Neuron – The basic fundamental unit of the nervous system is the neuron. The neuron is a specialised cell that consists of cell body with nucleus, dendrite(s) and an axon. The axons are stems conducting/carrying impulses to the adjacent neuron. They are insulated with myelin sheath (made of lipids) for fast transmission of impulses without any leakage. The junction between two neurons is called as synapse. It acts as a filter or as an amplifier.

Central nervous system – The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The richness of connections here accounts for human intellect and talents.

• Brain – is the main switch of wired network of our body. This super computer (brain) has uniqueness of mind and memory. It can receive impulses, interpret impulses, generate impulses, coordinate impulses and send impulses for actions.
• Spinal cord – is otherwise called the tail of the brain. It descends from the base of brain through an opening in the base of the skull into the vertebral column. It connects the brain and body through spinal nerves.

Peripheral nervous system – consists of all the nerves that are emerging from the brain and spinal cord.

• Cranial nerves – emerges from the base of the brain or brain stem supplies and cares exclusively for the head with sensations and functions. They are 12 in numbers and named after their functions. They are olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, auditory, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory and hypoglossal nerve.
• Spinal nerves – emerges from the spinal cord to supply body and peripherals. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves named after their emerging vertebral bones. They are cervical nerves (8 no/s), thoracic nerves (12 no/s), lumbar nerves (5 no/s), sacral nerves (5 no/s) and coccyx nerve (1 no).

The peripheral nervous system can be classified further anatomically and functionally.

Anatomical classification

• Sensory nerves (Afferent nerves) – which carries impulses to brain from peripherals
• Motor nerves (Efferent nerves) – which carries impulses from brain to peripherals

Functional classification

• Somatic nervous system – that works voluntarily with our control and consciousness for example – movement of hands/legs
• Autonomic nervous system – that works involuntarily/automatically without consciousness or control. Mostly these nerves inervates internal visceras / organs and helps in breathing, heart functions, digestion, etc. The autonomic nervous system is sub-classified as
  • Sympathetic nerves – These nerves work for activating and accelerating functions. I.e. they function for vasoconstriction, dilating lungs, increasing heart rate with good strong contractions, dilating eye pupils, etc.
  • Parasympathetic nerves – These nerves work for controlling and suppressing functions. They function for vasodilatation, constriction of lungs, reducing heart rate, constricting eye pupils, stimulating saliva secretion, assisting digestion with peristalsis, erectile function of penis, etc.

The sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves have nearly opposite actions. With the control and coordination of brain and spinal cord, they finally produce a full-controlled, coordinated movement or action or functions.

Diagnostic techniques – Nerve functions and diseases are usually analysed with weakness, coordination of movement(s), reflexes, muscle thickness/wasting, spasticity, alteration in sensations, etc. Doctors usually go for elicitation of reflexes, nerve conduction tests and electromyography (EMG) to diagnose the complaint and then plan the treatment. The other common tests required to detect, manage and treat neurological complaints are:

• Routine blood tests and urine tests
• X-ray chest and skull (in AP view and lateral view)
• CT/MRI scan
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Analysing cerebrospinal fluid with spinal puncture
• Angiogram, biopsy, etc. as required depending upon the suspected diagnosis of disease

for new hope

Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)

Laxmi Homeo Clinic

24 E. New Mahalipatti Road

Madurai, TN 625 001

India

Tel:  +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011 (Mob)

Fax: +91-452-233-0196

E-mail:  drcheena@yahoo.com

www.drcheena.com  / www.drcheena.in

(Disclaimer - The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)