The nervous system is a complex of nerve tissue that receives and transmits stimuli. As reported by Elmhurst College, the nervous system includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (all other nerves). Working within the nervous system are the somatic, autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves that control the voluntary and involuntary functions of the body. Disorders in the nervous system appear in all parts of the body.
Bell's Palsy
The National Institutes of Health reports that Bell's palsy affects about two out of every 10,000 people. Bell's palsy, a temporary facial paralysis, is the result of damage to the seventh cranial (facial) nerve. Causes attributed to Bell's palsy include inflammation of the cranial nerve, diabetes, Lyme disease and sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease). Symptoms of Bell's palsy include difficulty eating and drinking, droopy eyelid, headache, facial expression changes and dry eyelid. Treatment consists of symptom relief, such as corticosteroids, to reduce swelling around the facial nerve.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive wasting of the muscles throughout the body. ALS begins with muscle cramps and weakness that may affect one side more than the other. The progression of tremors and spasms leads to difficulty swallowing and breathing that eventually requires placement of a feeding tube and breathing assistance. Treatment of symptoms includes physical therapy for muscle strength.
Sciatica
Spine-Health.com reports that "the term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the low back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg." Treatment options for sciatica include stretching exercises to strengthen the lower back muscles and sciatica surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve in severe cases.
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease, a fatal genetic disorder, causes loss of nerve cells in the brain. The National Institutes of Health reports that of the two forms of Huntington's disease, adult-onset is the most common. Parents with Huntington's disease have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their children. Symptoms to expect with Huntington's include behavioral changes such as hallucinations, paranoia, restlessness and antisocial behaviors; abnormal movements such as facial grimaces, unsteady gait and jerking movements of the extremities and face; and progressive dementia such as memory loss, poor judgment, disorientation and poor speech quality. Since there is no cure, treatment goals include comfort and support.
