The brain is a vital and complex organ protected by the skull and meninges. This organ consists of a number of networks and billions of supporting nerve cells and is connected to the spinal cord. Along with the spinal cord and nerves, the brain is the command center of the human nervous system.
As part of the nervous system, the brain has many important functions. This organ controls everything that happens in the body, such as thoughts, memory, speech, feelings, vision, hearing, arm and leg movements, as well as the function of other organs in the body, including heartbeat and breathing.
Some nerves in the brain go directly to certain parts of the body, such as the eyes, ears, and other parts of the head. However, some other nerves are connected to parts of the body through the spinal cord to control personality, senses, and other body functions, such as breathing to walking.
Brain Disorders
Good brain health makes people aware of their own abilities and able to optimize their cognitive, emotional, psychological, and behavioral functions. Many social and biological factors play a role in the development and health of the brain from pre-conception to the end of human life.
These determining factors influence the way the brain develops, adapts, and responds to stress and difficulties encountered during life. If not taken care of properly, there are many disorders and diseases that can have a negative impact on brain health. Here are some of those diseases:
- Ataxia
Ataxia is a disease that attacks the cerebellum and triggers disturbances in the motor nerves. This disease makes sufferers lose control of their bodies. If left untreated, it will have serious consequences. Ataxia is characterized by frequent falls for no reason, inability to maintain body balance, up to paralysis.
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. This condition is characterized by memory loss, appearing confused, not being able to learn new things, communication and language difficulties, as well as problems in coping with new situations.
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that causes sufferers to experience delusions, hallucinations, disordered speech, problems with thinking, and lack of motivation. However, with treatment, most of the symptoms of schizophrenia can improve and the possibility of recurrence of symptoms can be reduced.
Epilepsy is a non-contagious chronic brain disease that affects people of all ages. This condition is characterized by repeated attacks on the motor and sensory nerves, so that the sufferer will experience convulsions. This disease makes nerve signals not work properly.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms appear gradually, sometimes starting with an almost imperceptible tremor that only occurs in one hand. This disorder also often causes stiffness or slowness of movement.
- Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by the buildup of plaque in the inner lining of the arteries. Factors that increase the risk of this disease, including high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and saturated fat.