What happens if your nervous system fails

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Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease affects brain function, memory and behaviour. Read more about Alzheimer's disease. Cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy affects the nervous system, muscle control, movement and coordination. Read more about Cerebral palsy. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a long-term condition that affects 1 in 50 Australians.

Read more about Epilepsy. Did these symptoms occur within the past 48 hours 2 days? Have you had other symptoms that may be related to the nervous system?

Have these problems been:. Slowly getting worse over days to weeks? Do you think that a medicine may be causing your symptoms? Think about whether the symptoms started after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine. Have the symptoms lasted for more than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.

Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse. Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions.

Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect. You may need care sooner. Symptoms of a stroke may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.

Sudden vision changes. Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.

Sudden problems with walking or balance. A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches. A few examples of symptoms that may be caused by a nervous system problem include: Numbness or tingling. Weakness or a reduced ability to move any part of the body not caused by pain.

Tremors, tics, or other unusual movements, such as a walking gait change or mouth smacking. Coordination problems, such as dropping things, tripping, or falling more often. Vision changes. Changes in hearing, taste, or smell. A few examples are: Antipsychotic medicines. Pain medicines. Medicines taken to control nausea. Medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome, and other nervous system problems.

Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor.

Home Treatment Specific home treatment for symptoms related to a nervous system problem depends on the cause of the problem.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if your symptoms become more frequent or severe during home treatment. Prevention Follow the prevention guidelines below to keep your body and nervous system healthy: Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that will be right for you. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking. Get plenty of rest.

Take care of health conditions that may cause decreased nervous system functioning, such as: Diabetes. High blood pressure. Eat a balanced diet. A balanced, low-fat diet with ample sources of vitamins B6, B12, and folate will help protect the nervous system.

Accidents, falls, and sports injuries may all cause direct damage to the spinal nerves, while other conditions like spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, and spinal disc pain can also cause these problems.

Peripheral nerves are fragile and can be easily damaged. Damage to the peripheral nerves can also result in peripheral neuropathy, which is a general term for malfunctioning of these nerves. Some people are born with peripheral nerve disorders. Your evaluation will include a full medical history, physical and neurological exam, and depending on your symptoms, possibly a radiographic study, such as a magnetic resonance imaging MRI , computed tomography CAT , or positron emission tomography PET scan.

For certain nerve issues, surgical treatment may be the most immediate solution to your problem. At Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic, some of the surgical procedures for nerve injuries to the central and peripheral nervous systems we provide include:. Our neurosurgeons at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic have extensive experience in dealing with nerve injuries.

To meet with one of our nerve injury specialists, make an appointment today. The nervous system is classified into two groups: Central nervous system : This includes the brain and spinal cord and acts as the control center where information is processed and decisions are made. In that case, the goal of treatment is to improve symptoms.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Learn More Specifics Genetics.

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