Nervous disorder

Nervous Disorder is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions affecting the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. These disorders can result from a variety of causes, such as genetic factors, injury, infection, or degeneration, and they can affect any part of the nervous system.

Overview

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body. It is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of all other neural elements. Nervous disorders can affect either or both of these systems.

Types of Nervous Disorders

There are many different types of nervous disorders, including:

• Neurodegenerative diseases: These are disorders characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

• Neuromuscular diseases: These are conditions that affect the nerves that control voluntary muscles. Examples include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myasthenia gravis.

• Developmental disorders: These are conditions that occur at or before birth, such as spina bifida and autism.

• Vascular disorders: These are conditions that affect the blood vessels within the nervous system, such as stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

• Functional disorders: These are conditions where there may be no structural or biochemical cause found, but symptoms are present, such as headache, epilepsy, and dizziness.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of nervous disorders often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and specialized tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, and electroencephalogram (EEG). Treatment varies widely depending on the specific disorder and may include medication, surgery, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

See Also

• Neurology
• Neuropsychology
• Psychiatry