How the nervous system works and how to keep it healthy

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The nervous system is the most highly differentiated organ system and plays an extremely important role in the human body. If this organ appears any damage will cause dangerous effects to the body.

1. What is the nervous system?

Every day, in order to give the appropriate response, the nervous system receives millions of codes of information from the sensory organs and integrates them.
The body can receive all the changes occurring in the external as well as internal environment of the body and respond positively to those changes thanks to the nervous system. Based on that, the nervous system helps the body adapt to the changes of environmental conditions to ensure the unity between the body and the living environment. In addition, the nervous system also controls, regulates and coordinates the activities of all organs, organ systems and the whole body, making the body a unified whole.
The nervous system is made up of a specialized type of tissue called nervous tissue, including neurons - neurons and glial cells (nerves). The nervous system is the most highly differentiated organ system in the human body, they differentiate in the form of tubes and networks throughout the body.
Neurons are also the factors that create two basic components of the brain, spinal cord and ganglia, gray matter and white matter. Neurons play a very important role in the functioning of the nervous system. Information flows into and out of the nervous system are transmitted by neurons in one direction through a special structure called a synapse. Therefore, in order to create a basis for us to understand the functions of the nervous system, it is essential to study the activities of synapses and neurons.
Structurally, the nervous system is divided into two parts, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system (nerves, ganglia), in which the central part plays the leading role.
The brain and spinal cord are two components of the central nervous system. The brain consists of the cerebrum, midbrain, interencephalon, pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum. The brain stem includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

The remaining nerves in the body make up the peripheral nervous system, including 2 types: 12 pairs of cranial nerves; 31 pairs of live wire.
Based on function, the nervous system is further divided into the somatic nervous system and the motor nervous system. Sympathetic and parasympathetic subsystems are two subsystems of the autonomic nervous system. Many of the complex reflexes in humans that no other organism can afford are due to high-level neural activity.
Everything your body does is connected in some way to the nervous system. It tells the heart that it needs to beat. It tells the lungs that you need to breathe. It controls the way you move, the words you say, as well as the way you think and study. The nervous system also controls your senses and memories.

2. How does the nervous system work?

Messages transmitted in nerves are sent through billions of cells called neurons. The space between these cells is called a synapse.
Cells are linked together through chemicals called neurotransmitters that move across synapses to the next neuron. Types of neurotransmitters include dopamine and serotonin.
This process continues until the signal is informed to the right place. Some messages are transmitted at more than 200 miles per hour.
This is also how signals from your body relay feedback to the brain and spinal cord. For example, if you step on something sharp, the nerves in your feet send a message from this neuron to the CNS that it hurts. The brain and spinal cord respond with a message to the foot, at which point you will pull the foot out.

3. Factors that can affect the nervous system

The nervous system has many protective barriers. The brain is protected by the skull and the spinal cord is shielded by the small bones in the spine (vertebrae) and thin coverings (membranous). Both of these organs are cushioned by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid.
Just like any other part of your body, anything can happen with the nervous system. When a disorder damages it, this affects communication between the brain, spinal cord, and body. Such as some of the following disorders:
Infections such as: encephalitis, meningitis or polio. Physical problems such as trauma, Bell's palsy, or carpal tunnel syndrome stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or subdural hematoma (when a blood clots outside the brain, usually after a severe head injury).

4. How to keep the nervous system healthy

Here are some ways to help you keep your nervous system healthy, including:
Get enough sleep : Just like other parts of the body, the brain also needs rest to recover, so a schedule Regular sleep is key to a healthy nervous system. Mood is heavily influenced by sleep. Get enough sleep to keep your brain sharp. In particular, your depressive symptoms tend to get worse when you don't get enough sleep. You will become more moody, or irritable, and more tired from lack of sleep. Adults need to sleep 6-8 hours/day, should go to bed before 11pm and have a fixed sleep schedule. According to scientists, the best time to sleep is 10am.

Diet: Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids is also important. Foods rich in omega-3 include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, herring, and farm-raised salmon. In addition, it is necessary to diversify the menu, add foods rich in Vitamin A, beta-carotene, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, zinc protein... The amount of vitamin B will increase when you add more calories.
Daily exercise: depending on the condition and health of each person to choose the right sport. Levels of serotonin, endorphins, and other brain chemicals increase when you exercise regularly, and help improve your mood. Plus, exercise helps stimulate new cell growth and brain connections. Doctors recommend that our life expectancy can be extended from 7 to 12 years if you spend 20 minutes a day doing a certain exercise.
Besides, you need to have a reasonable work and rest regime, and limit the use of alcohol.
Always be optimistic, positive: The body will secrete endogenous morphine and we feel happy when we think positively and do good deeds.
Stress can also affect your nervous system, but there are a few things you can do to manage it:
Exercise regularly. Allow yourself to rest. Spend good time with family and friends. Practice meditation or mindfulness practice along with yoga or other activities. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that both ensure professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors and modern equipment and technology. The hospital has comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

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Reference source: webmd.com