Nerve Conditions
Overview What is a neurological disorder?
Neurological disorders are conditions that affect how your nervous system functions. This involves your central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Your central nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord.
Your peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves that branch off of your spinal cord.
It further breaks down into your:
- Somatic nervous system:
- This guides your voluntary movements. Autonomic nervous system:
This regulates the activities you do without thinking about them (involuntary movements).
Your nervous system regulates everything you do. It helps you breathe, swallow, sleep and move. It allows your heart to beat and your body to age. It assists with processes like digestion. It also coordinates your senses and helps you speak, learn and remember. These are only a few of the many things that your nervous system does.
Neurological disorders cause physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms like pain, confusion, mood changes and/or coordination difficulties. Treatment options are available to help you manage symptoms.
A healthcare provider will give you the most up-to-date and accurate information on your outlook specific to your situation. Some neurological disorders have a minimal impact on your routine. Others require around-the-clock care.
Your care team will help you understand what neurological disorder affects you or your loved one and offer advice on what treatment options and next steps are available. If you have any questions, let your provider know. Living with a neurological condition can be stressful. Sometimes, symptoms are unpredictable, and it can stop you from participating in the things you enjoy with the people you care about.
This can have a significant impact on your mental health. Many people find comfort in speaking with a mental health professional to find ways to better manage their emotional well-being in addition to physical symptoms.