12.5 Health Issues Related to the Nervous System
The central nervous system is vital for regulating bodily activities, but it can suffer damage or disease, impairing coordination and daily functioning. Additionally, the misuse of psychoactive substances like drugs and alcohol directly disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to adverse physical and behavioural effects.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the causes and symptoms of health issues related to the nervous system (Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, ADHD, Autism, Epilepsy, and Cerebral Palsy).
- Identify traditional treatment methods used to treat health issues related to the nervous system.
- State the medical application of specific regulated substances (e.g., marijuana).
- Explain the effects of drug abuse, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms on human health.
- Classify drugs and alcohol according to their effects on the central nervous system.
Classification of Substances and Their Effects on the Nervous System
Substances introduced to the body alter nervous functions. Compare the five substance categories and their distinct physiological impacts.
Stimulants
Increase the activity of the central nervous system; excessive use causes temporary euphoria followed by depression.
Sedatives
Delay the transmission of nerve impulses and calm the mind.
Hallucinogens
Cause the user to hallucinate and provide relief from pain and anxiety.
Narcotics
Delay the normal functions of the brain.
Alcohol
Disrupts coordination and thinking; delays the transfer of nerve impulses.
Short Explanation
Nervous System Diseases
Nervous system diseases stem from diverse physiological causes: autoimmune attacks on the myelin sheath (Multiple Sclerosis), shrinkage or deterioration of neurones (Parkinson's and ALS), structural brain damage (Cerebral Palsy), or abnormal developmental and electrical activities (Autism, ADHD, Epilepsy, Alzheimer's).
Multiple Sclerosis
A progressive autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord. Damaged myelin sheath prevents the transmission of nerve impulses to and from the brain.
Alzheimer's Disease
Causes the loss of the ability to reason and care for oneself. Symptoms include confusion, forgetfulness, and disorientation even in familiar surroundings. Progressive brain deterioration leads to the loss of abilities to read, write, eat, walk, and talk.
Parkinson's Disease
Caused by the shrinkage of the nervous system. Symptoms include tremors in the limbs, jaw, foot, and face, as well as difficulty maintaining body posture and balance.
Lou Gehrig / ALS
Caused by the deterioration and death of motor neurones. Affects motor neurones controlling muscle movements such as chewing, walking, and talking.
ADHD
A brain disease that causes an individual to become hyperactive, unable to concentrate, and easily bored.
Autism
A disease related to the development of nerves in the brain. Causes difficulties in communicating and interacting.
Epilepsy
Abnormal activities in certain parts of the brain cause nerve cells to produce unusual signals. Can cause an individual to become unconscious and experience muscle spasms.
Cerebral Palsy
Caused by brain damage occurring before or after birth, or in young children aged 3–5 years old. Leads to failure in muscles and the inability of motor neurones to function properly.
Traditional Treatment Methods
Traditional methods used to treat nervous system-related health issues include acupuncture and reflexology.
Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Coordination and Response
Certain drugs have legitimate medical uses; for instance, marijuana is prescribed in small quantities by doctors to reduce nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Non-medical use leads to serious side effects and can be fatal. Drug abuse causes addiction and withdrawal symptoms such as shivering, sweating, and vomiting if the drug is withheld.
Try to Answer First
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
State the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Why do doctors use marijuana in the treatment of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy?
Explain why an individual who is drunk is not allowed to drive a vehicle.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Parkinson's disease with ALS: Parkinson's is associated with the shrinkage of the nervous system causing tremors and loss of balance, whereas ALS is specifically caused by the deterioration and death of motor neurones controlling muscle actions like chewing and walking.
- Confusing the effects of stimulants with depressants/sedatives: Stimulants increase central nervous system activity (causing temporary euphoria), while sedatives delay impulse transmission to calm the mind.
- Assuming Multiple Sclerosis is primarily a muscle disease: It is an autoimmune disorder targeting the myelin sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which subsequently disrupts impulse transmission to muscles.
Concept Misunderstandings
All drugs are exclusively harmful and have no therapeutic value.
When prescribed and administered under strict medical supervision, certain substances (such as small quantities of marijuana for chemotherapy-induced nausea) serve legitimate clinical purposes.
Alcohol stimulates the brain because it makes people loud or energetic.
Alcohol is a depressant that delays the transfer of nerve impulses and disrupts thinking and coordination.
Summary
- The human nervous system can be affected by progressive degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS), autoimmune disorders (Multiple Sclerosis), electrical abnormalities (Epilepsy), developmental disorders (Autism, ADHD), or trauma/damage (Cerebral Palsy).
- Traditional therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology are used to address health issues related to the nervous system.
- Drug abuse leads to addiction and severe physical withdrawal symptoms (shivering, sweating, vomiting).
- Substances affect the nervous system differently: stimulants speed up activity; sedatives, narcotics, and alcohol delay impulse transmission and disrupt coordination.
Short Activity
Objective: identify nervous system diseases, substance effects, and medical applications of regulated substances.
A. Objective Quiz
Which of the following diseases is caused by an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord?
What is the effect of stimulant drugs on the human nervous system?
B. Fill in the Blanks
In medicine, small quantities of are used by doctors to reduce nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Parkinson's disease is caused by the shrinkage of the nervous system, leading to in the limbs, jaw, foot, and face.
C. Matching / Drag and Drop
Match each substance category to its correct effect on the nervous system. On a phone, tap a choice first, then tap the matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
C. Match the Substance Category to Its Effect
Write the correct substance category next to each effect.
| Effect on the Nervous System | Substance Category |
|---|---|
| 1. Increases the activity of the central nervous system; causes temporary euphoria followed by depression. | |
| 2. Delays the transmission of nerve impulses and calms the mind. | |
| 3. Causes the user to hallucinate and provides relief from pain and anxiety. | |
| 4. Disrupts coordination and thinking, and delays the transfer of nerve impulses. |
Answer choices: Stimulant drugs • Sedative drugs • Hallucinogenic drugs • Alcohol
