Post-text assignments

1 Answer the questions:

1 What is the nervous system?

2 What are the functions of nervous system?

3 What elements of nervous system do you know?

4 What are the functions of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

5 What is a neurotransmitter? What is it needed for?

2 Retell the stages of neurotransmittion using the picture given in the text. Unit 14

Pre-text assignment

Learn the key words and phrases:

crippled, deep tendon reflexes, muscle contraction, newer born babies, seizure, mental impairment, muscle rigidity, dementia, juvenile.

Nervous System Disorders

The Nervous System is the most important system in the human body. If the nervous system doesn't work properly then the entire body fails. Unfortunately, there are many diseases that affect the neurologic system. Here're a brief list and descriptions of some of the more common neurologic disorders that affect the majority of people in our modern day world.

Cerebral palsy – this disease is the most common cause of children becoming crippled. Cerebral palsy is defined as a group of neuromuscular disorders the will result in CNS damage. One of the most common signs and symptoms for cerebral palsy are having hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, increased stretch reflexes, general muscle weakness, underdevelopment of limbs, and rapid muscle contractions and relaxation.

Hydrocephalus – this disorder is the result of excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular spaces of the brain. This disorder also affects newer born babies, but it can affect adults as well. The most important signs and symptoms for this disorder, is the rapidly increasing width of the head circumference which will be very disproportionate to the infant's or adult's body.

Epilepsy – this disorder is also called a seizure disorder, which is the condition of the brain that is marked by a person having the susceptibility to have recurrent seizure episodes.

CVA – cerebrovascular accident (also known as brain attack or stroke) is defined as the sudden impairment of the cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain. This can cause a diminish oxygen supply to the brain and will often result in necrosis (tissue death) of the brain tissues and will cause physical impairment the will affect the person the result of their life. Some of the signs and symptoms for this disorder are sudden drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and mental confusion. Other signs like mental impairment, seizures, coma, nuchal rigidity, disorientation, and fever are also common.

Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson's, neurons that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate your movements. No one knows what damages these cells. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include:

• trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face;

• stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk;

• slowness of movement;

• poor balance and coordination.

As symptoms get worse, people with the disease may have trouble walking, talking or doing simple tasks. They may also have problems such as depression, sleep problems or trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking.

Alzheimer's disease was first described in 1907 by German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer. It is one of the most common causes resulting in dementia. Under the term «dementia» various progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behavior and emotions, are incorporated. Characteristics for dementia go as follows:

• loss of memory;

• difficulties in word correct usage or in understanding what other people say;

• difficulties in daily work performance;

• changes in mood and personal qualities.

Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously-unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging. It does not know either social, or economic, ethnic, geographic borders. Usually it manifests itself after 40-50 years, but earlier manifestation of disease has been registered in 28. Although each affected person experiences dementia in his own way, however, not everyone is able to take care of him/herself and is in constant need of daily care.

Alzheimer's disease is intensively studied all over the world; however, the final treatment of the disease won’t emerge in the nearest future.

Huntington's disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain. Early symptoms of HD may include uncontrolled movements, clumsiness or balance problems. Later, HD can take away the ability to walk, talk or swallow. Some people stop recognizing family members. Others are aware of their environment and are able to express emotions.

Most people with Huntington's disease develop signs and symptoms in their 40s or 50s, but the onset of disease may be earlier or later in life. When disease onset begins before age 20, the condition is called juvenile Huntington's disease. Earlier onset often results in a somewhat different presentation of symptoms and faster disease progression.

Medications are available to help manage the symptoms of Huntington's disease, but treatments can't prevent the physical, mental and behavioral decline associated with the condition.

In conclusion, there are many different types of neurologic disorders that can affect a person. Therefore, it is important for anyone that wants to avoid these diseases to take good care of themselves. However, some neurologic disorders may not be prevented because they are depended on family genetics. Nonetheless, if a person can recognize these common signs and symptoms of these diseases, then they can be better prepared in understanding this condition.