The central nervous system of the human body consists of the brain and the spinal cord. This central processing center is responsible for coordinating all bodily functions by conducting sensory and motor information. Diseases and disorders that affect the central nervous system produce a variety of symptoms and can be life threatening or result in debilitation.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects about 400,000 people in the United States, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's own immune system attacks the myelin, which is the protective tissue that surrounds the nerves.
As the myelin is damaged or destroyed by the disease, the nerve signals traveling to and from the brain are interrupted. This results in a variety of symptoms including fatigue, numbness, balance and coordination problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, vision impairments, dizziness, pain, emotional changes, speech disorders, hearing loss, seizures and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of MS can be mild or severe and often worsen over time, resulting in debilitation.
Meningitis
Meningitis is the swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. Meningitis is caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. The symptoms of meningitis include headache, fever and a stiff neck. Viral meningitis often resolves on its own, according to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Bacterial meningitis, however, can be more severe and if left untreated can lead to neurological damage resulting in hearing loss, blindness, loss of speech, learning disabilities, behavior problems, brain damage, paralysis and even death.
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease is a genetic disease, meaning it is passed down from parent to child, that causes the death of cells in the brain. The disease is degenerative; it gets worse over time, as more and more cells in the brain die. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports the early symptoms include mood swings, depression, irritability, difficulty driving and trouble remembering facts, making decisions or learning new things. Disease progression can result in the inability to feed oneself, difficulty swallowing and difficulty performing intellectual tasks.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and often fatal disease of the brain that affects 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease destroys brain cells, which causes memory loss, trouble concentrating, behavior changes and cognitive impairments. There is no cure for this disease as of 2010, which is why it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects more than 1 million people in the United States, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. PD causes damage to or destroys the nerve cells in the area of the brain called the substantia nigra. These cells are responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps to relay messages between nerve cells. Dopamine is necessary for smooth and controlled movements. As these cells are destroyed and the level of dopamine decreases, the symptoms of PD become apparent.
