The Physiology of the Nervous System

The Physiology of the Nervous System

The nervous system mainly consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The main parts of the nervous system include the brain, spinal cord sensory organs as well as the nerves that link these parts with the rest of the body. All the parts are associated with the control of the body as well as facilitating communication throughout the body. The brain and the spinal cord consist of the central nervous system and are involved in decision making as well as evaluation. On the other hand, the sensory nerves, together with the other sense organs, form the peripheral nervous system, and they are engaged in monitoring of conditions within and outside the body while sending the information to the central nervous system.

The CNS comprises the brain as well as the spinal cord, whereby the brain is perceived to perform most of the body functions. The functions include movements, sensations, awareness, thoughts, speech, as well as memory. On the other hand, the spinal cord has a connection with the brain at the brainstem, where the vertebrae of the spine cover it.  Additionally, the nerves are perceived to exit the spinal cord to both sides of the body, and thus, the spinal cord performs the function of carrying the signals back and forth between the nerves and the brain in the rest of the body parts.

On the other hand, the PNS refers to the part of the nervous system found outside of the CNS, and it’s mainly comprised of the nerves. The nerves are perceived to be associated with sending as well as receiving signals from the CNS. Moreover, the PNS is further divided into autonomic and somatic nervous systems. The somatic system is associated with controlling movements of the body that are under control of human beings. On the other hand, the autonomic system is involved in the control of the involuntary functions that the body has the ability to regulate on its own such as digestion as well as breathing.

The nervous system is perceived to perform three main functions that include motor, sensory as well as integration activities. In a bid to achieve the sensory functions, the nervous system collects information from the sensory receptors. As a result, the receptors monitor the body’s external as well as the internal conditions. Besides, the signals are subsequently passed to the CNS to undergo further processing by the nerves as well as the afferent neurons.

The integration functions of the nervous system involve the processing of multiple sensory signals passed into the central nervous system at a given time. As a result, the signals are evaluated, linked, discarded or committed as well as utilized in the decision-making process, taking into consideration the option that would be most appropriate to the memory. Besides, the integration functions of the nervous system are perceived to occur at the gray matter of the brain as well as the spinal cord, and the interneurons perform the process. Notably, it also considered that multiple interneurons work as a team to form complex networks to facilitate the processing power.

The motor functions of the nervous system are perceived to be stimulated by the networks of interneurons within the central nervous system whereby the sensory information is examined, and subsequent actions are decided. The process stimulates the efferent neurons that are also referred to as the motor neurons. The efferent neurons are associated with the transportation of signals from the gray matter of the central nervous system to the effector cells via the nerves of the PNS. Notably, the effector cells are considered to be smooth, cardiac or skeletal tissues as well as the glandular tissues. Subsequently, the effector cells are associated with the release of a hormone, or it engages the movement of a body part to stimulate response to the stimulus.

Health History Questions about the Nervous System

In an attempt to evaluate the patient regarding the nervous system disorders one should consider the following questions

1. What is your current complaint?
2. What part of the body is affected?
3. When was the onset of the problem?
4. How did the problem occur, suddenly or gradually?
5. Are the symptoms constant or intermittent?
6. Have you had experience with difficulty in coordination?
7. Have you experienced visual challenges?
8. Have you lost consciousness?
9. Have you experienced any change in moods, such as depression or sleep problems?
10. Have you had any difficulties remembering past events or conversations?
11. Are there any family related complications related to the nervous system?
12. Have you experienced any challenges with solving problems?
13. Have you had any medical history related to the disease?

The above questions are essential, particularly in guiding the diagnostic measures by a health practitioner to help identify the most appropriate actions to be taken.

On the other hand, the expected outcomes include appropriate levels of awareness as well as the degree of awareness during the assessment. Besides, an individual is expected to depict a proper mood along with correct memory features such as registration and retention. The patient should also show an appropriate orientation of themselves in terms of place, self as well as time. The speech and language should be associated with high levels of fluency, comprehension, writing, naming, as well as repetition.

Overview of the Objective Data and Expected Normal Physical Examination Findings for the Nervous System

In the context, assessments regarding the nervous system are concerned with various objective data that include

1. Evaluation of the cranial nerves
2. Demonstration of the methods for examining the motor system, i.e. tone, strength and muscle bulk
3. Demonstration of testing of the muscle stretch reflexes as well as the plantar reflex
4. Demonstration of the assessment of sensory system concerning the light touch, position sense, pain, as well as vibration.
5. Demonstration of the techniques for testing the levels of coordination
6. Demonstration of the techniques concerned with the test for gait as well as the stance.

Adaptation of the Physical Assessment Skills or Interviewing Techniques to Accommodate Infant, Pregnancy and Geriatric Population

Infant/pediatrics

In the context, while taking physical assessments among the infants and pediatrics, it is essential to consider various principles that would improve the quality of the results.  The skills include the ability to observe, reflect, document, plan, communicate, instruct as well as summarize. These skills take into account the vulnerability of children in providing the right information.

Pregnancy

While handling pregnant women during the physical examination, it is essential to consider considering the vulnerability of the unborn as well as the mother. Care should be taken to ensure that the mechanisms used do not pose any threat to the unborn and the woman. For instance, vigorous activities should be avoided as well as activities that would cause any injury. The health practitioner conducting the physical assessment should understand the condition of the pregnancy, thus ensuring the most appropriate tools and techniques are utilized.

Geriatric population

To effectively conduct physical examination among the geriatric population, it is essential to ensure that the caregivers or family members are consulted to enhance the accuracy of the data. Besides, it is necessary to ensure that ample time is taken into account, thus ensuring all the essential elements are considered. The health practitioner should also consider what the patient can do before engaging them in any activity.

Major Disease That May Impact the Nervous System

In the context, various diseases are perceived to affect the nervous system, but Alzheimer’s is the most common disorder. The disease is considered a disorder that induces the brain cells to degenerate, i.e. waste away as well as die. Besides, Alzheimer’s disease is also perceived as the most common cause of dementia, a disorder that is associated with a continuous reduction in thinking, social skills as well as behaviours that, as a result, disrupts an individual’s ability to function independently.

Often, the most common early signs of the disorder include forgetting recent conversations or events. Additionally, as the disease progresses to advanced stages, individuals suffering from the disease tend to develop severe memory impairment, and this affects their ability to conduct daily activities effectively. Notably, the available medication concerning Alzheimer’s disease are perceived only to offer temporary improvements to the symptoms as well as slowing the rate of decline. Besides, the current medicines also help in the maximization of the function as well as the maintenance of independence for a time.

As a result, multiple programs and services regarding Alzheimer’s disease treatment are essential, particularly to offer assistant to the victims as well as the caregivers that would improve the overall quality of living among the parties involved. This follows the fact that there is no cure for the disease. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses to the advanced stage, often there are complications that develop through the severe loss of brain function, i.e. dehydration, infection as well as malnutrition that result into death. Among the signs and symptoms of the disease includes memory loss, problems with planning, confusion, issues with speaking or writing, difficulty in completing familiar tasks, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace them as well as difficulty in understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

Alzheimer’s disease is perceived to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental as well as lifestyle factors that influences the functioning of the brain over time. However, there are specific known causes of the disease. Still, it’s clearly understood that the disease at its core problem causes the brain to malfunction, disruption of the brain cells as well as unleashing of a series of toxic events. The neurons, as a result, are damaged, the connection is lost to each other, and they eventually die. The risk factors of the disease include age, family history and genetics, sex, Down syndrome, mild cognitive impairment, post head trauma, poor sleep patterns, as well as lifestyle and heart health. Some of the preventive measures would include regular exercise, eating healthy, following treatment guidelines to manage blood pressure, diabetes and other disorders as well as appropriate lifestyle choice such as quitting smoking practices. Among the diagnostic steps against the disease includes self-reporting about the symptoms and that of a close family member. Besides, regular test by a health practitioner to assess the memory and thinking skills would also be necessary. Treatment would involve the utilization of drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Besides, individuals should also create a safe as well as a supportive environment.