Nervous System Disorder

Your nervous system controls everything you do—from moving and speaking to breathing and thinking. When something goes wrong with this complex network, it can affect your ability to work, learn, and enjoy daily life. With over 600 different disorders that can affect the nervous system, understanding these conditions is the first step toward getting proper care.

Table of contents

• What is the nervous system?
• Types of nervous system disorders
• Common symptoms
• What causes these disorders?
• How are they diagnosed?
• Treatment and care

What is the nervous system?

Your nervous system is your body’s command center. It’s made up of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves that reach throughout your entire body. Think of it like a complex communication network that sends messages back and forth, telling your body what to do and keeping track of everything happening inside and outside of you^[2].

The nervous system has two main parts. The central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord—these act as the main control center^[3]. The peripheral nervous system includes all the other nerves that branch out from your spinal cord to reach your arms, legs, organs, and other parts of your body^[2].

• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Eyes
• Ears
• Sensory organs of taste
• Sensory organs of smell
• Nerves
• Muscles

Your nervous system works by using special nerve cells called neurons to send electrical signals throughout your body. These signals control your thoughts, memory, learning, movements, senses, sleep, heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and many other body processes—both those you think about and those that happen automatically^[2].

Types of nervous system disorders

There are more than 600 neurologic diseases that can affect the nervous system^[1]. These disorders fall into several major categories based on what causes them or how they affect your body.

Genetic diseases are caused by faulty genes that you inherit from your parents. Examples include Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy^[1].

Developmental problems occur when the nervous system doesn’t develop properly before or shortly after birth. Spina bifida is one example of this type of disorder^[1].

Degenerative diseases happen when nerve cells become damaged or die over time. Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are common examples. In these conditions, symptoms typically get worse as more nerve cells are lost^[1].

Vascular disorders affect the blood vessels that supply the brain. Stroke, transient ischemic attack, and various types of bleeding in or around the brain fall into this category^[3].

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain can cause lasting damage to the nervous system. These can result from accidents, falls, or other trauma^[1].

Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, cause sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain that can lead to seizures^[1].

Cancers can develop in the nervous system, including brain tumors and tumors of the spinal cord^[1].

Infections can damage the nervous system. Meningitis, encephalitis, and other infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other germs can affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves^[1][3].

Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the nervous system. Examples include Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome^[3].

Structural disorders involve physical problems with the nervous system structure, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or compression of the spinal cord^[3].

Common symptoms

The symptoms of nervous system disorders can vary widely depending on which part of the nervous system is affected and what type of disorder you have. Each person may experience symptoms differently, and they can range from mild to severe^[3].

Common symptoms affecting movement and muscle function include weakness or loss of muscle strength, lack of coordination, muscle rigidity, tremors and seizures, muscle wasting, and loss of balance. You might find it difficult to walk, have trouble with fine movements like buttoning a shirt, or experience frequent falls^[3][12].

Sensory symptoms can include loss of feeling, numbness, tingling, or hypersensitivity to touch and temperature. You might also experience pain—including headaches, back pain, or neck pain—or changes in your vision such as double vision or loss of sight^[3][12].

Cognitive and mental symptoms may include memory loss, impaired mental ability, confusion, trouble concentrating or making decisions, mood swings, anxiety, depression, or “brain fog.” Some people experience speech and language difficulties, such as slurred speech or new problems with understanding or expressing language^[3][12].

Other symptoms can affect basic body functions. These include sleep problems, difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, changes in consciousness (such as fainting or seizures), dizziness, vertigo, and changes in autonomic functions like blood pressure, heart rate, or digestion^[12].

Headaches are a particularly common symptom. You might experience persistent or sudden onset of a headache, or a headache that changes from your usual pattern^[3].

It’s important to remember that having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have a nervous system disorder. Many of these symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis^[3].

What causes these disorders?

The nervous system can be affected by various disorders, and the causes can be quite different from one condition to another^[3].

Some nervous system disorders are caused by genetic changes that you inherit from your parents or that occur spontaneously. These faulty genes can lead to conditions that you’re born with or that develop later in life^[12].

Problems with abnormal development of the nervous system can occur before birth or in early childhood. These congenital conditions happen when the nervous system doesn’t form properly^[12].

Injury or damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves can result from accidents, falls, sports injuries, or violence. Even mild injuries can sometimes have lasting effects on nervous system function^[3].

Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites can attack parts of the nervous system. Some infections can cause temporary problems, while others may lead to permanent damage^[3].

In degeneration, nerve cells are damaged or die over time. Scientists don’t always understand why this happens, but it can be related to aging, genetic factors, environmental exposures, or a combination of these^[3].

Structural defects can develop in the nervous system, putting pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. These can be present from birth or develop over time due to wear and tear or other factors^[3].

Tumors—both cancerous and non-cancerous—can grow in the brain, spinal cord, or along nerves. These growths can press on or damage nervous system tissues^[3].

Problems with blood flow can damage the nervous system. When blood vessels become blocked or rupture, parts of the brain or spinal cord may not get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing cells to die^[3].

Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own nervous system tissues. The exact reason why this happens isn’t always clear^[3].

How are they diagnosed?

Diagnosing nervous system disorders often takes time and involves several steps. Healthcare providers work carefully to rule out various problems and make a specific diagnosis^[10].

The process typically starts with a neurological exam. During this exam, the doctor checks how well your nervous system is working. They may test your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, sensation, vision, and mental function. This exam usually doesn’t cause pain and involves simple tools like lights and reflex hammers^[1][3].

Your doctor will also take a detailed medical history and ask about your symptoms. They’ll want to know when symptoms started, how they’ve changed over time, and whether anything makes them better or worse^[10].

Many different tests can help diagnose nervous system disorders. Blood and urine tests can check for infections, genetic markers, or signs of other conditions affecting the nervous system^[9].

Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of your body. A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to create detailed images. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to produce very detailed pictures of soft tissues like the brain and spinal cord. These tests can show tumors, bleeding, damage, or other abnormalities^[9].

A spinal tap (also called lumbar puncture) involves taking a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. This can help detect infections, bleeding, or other problems^[1][9].

An electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrical activity in your brain using sensors placed on your scalp. It’s particularly useful for diagnosing seizure disorders^[1][9].

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies test how well your nerves and muscles are working together. These tests can identify nerve damage or muscle diseases^[1][9].

Other specialized tests might include angiography (to look at blood vessels in the brain), evoked potentials (to see how your brain responds to different stimuli), or biopsies (taking a small sample of tissue for examination)^[9].

Treatment and care

Treatment for nervous system disorders varies greatly depending on the specific condition, its severity, and how it affects you. The goal is to manage symptoms, slow disease progression when possible, and help you maintain the best quality of life^[10].

Most neurological conditions are treated with medicine. Medications can be used to treat pain, improve neurological function, reduce degeneration, prevent autoimmune attacks on the nervous system, or treat infections. Some medicines are taken by mouth, while others need to be given through a vein or injected^[9].

Surgery may be needed for some conditions. Neurosurgeons can remove tumors, repair structural problems, relieve pressure on nerves or the spinal cord, or treat blood vessel abnormalities. Some surgeries are now done using minimally invasive techniques^[3][9].

Interventional treatments involve inserting tiny, flexible tubes into blood vessels to treat problems like stroke or aneurysms without major surgery^[9].

Physical therapy helps maintain or improve movement, strength, and coordination. Therapists work with patients on exercises and activities designed for their specific needs^[10].

Occupational therapy focuses on helping people perform daily activities and maintain independence despite their condition.

Speech therapy can help people who have trouble speaking, understanding language, or swallowing due to nervous system problems.

Managing nervous system disorders often works best with a team approach. Your care team might include neurologists (doctors who specialize in nervous system disorders), neurosurgeons, psychologists to help with emotional and behavioral symptoms, psychiatrists who can prescribe medications for mental health symptoms, and various therapists^[3].

Some people benefit from counseling or support groups. Living with a nervous system disorder can be challenging, and talking with others who understand what you’re going through can be helpful^[3].

Lifestyle changes may also be part of your treatment plan. This might include getting regular exercise (as recommended by your doctor), eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding things that make symptoms worse^[10].

For some conditions, researchers are developing new treatments through clinical trials. These research studies test new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases. You can search for clinical trials for nervous system disorders through resources provided by national health organizations^[1].