Medical Help Desk

Your nervous system is your body’s command center. Originating from your brain, it controls your movements, thoughts and automatic responses to the world around you. It also controls other body systems and processes, such as digestion, breathing and sexual development (puberty). Diseases, accidents, toxins and the natural aging process can damage your nervous system. Your nervous system affects every aspect of your health, including your: Thoughts, memory, learning, and feelings. Movements, such as balance and coordination. Senses, including how your brain interprets what you see, hear, taste, touch and feel. Sleep, healing and aging. Heartbeat and breathing patterns. Response to stressful situations. Digestion, as well as how hungry and thirsty you feel. Body processes, such as puberty. This complex system is the command center for your body. It regulates your body’s systems and allows you to experience your environment. A vast network of nerves sends electrical signals to and from ot...

  Cervical spondylosis is the natural wearing down of cartilage, disks, ligaments and bones in your neck. Main symptoms include neck pain or stiffness. Physical therapy; ice, heat, massage; soft collar and drugs are first-to-be-tried approaches. More severe cases, such as herniated disk, bone spurs or pinched nerves, are treated with injections or surgery. What is cervical spondylosis? Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear in the cervical spine (neck) that can lead to neck pain, neck stiffness and other symptoms. Sometimes this condition is called arthritis or osteoarthritis of the neck. What are the parts of the cervical spine? Your entire spine is made up of 24 vertebrae (bones of the spine). The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull. Running through an opening of the entire vertebral column are the spinal cord and its nerves. The spinal cord and nerves carry messages between the brain and rest of body, inclu...

  Sciatica refers to  pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve . The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression affect one or more nerves that run down your lower back and into your legs. It’s usually not a serious or dangerous condition, and most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments. But severe cases may need surgery. What is sciatica? Sciatica is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to your sciatic nerve. In addition to pain, it can involve tingling or numbness in your back or butt that may also radiate down your leg. More severe symptoms are also possible. Your sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body. It’s up to 2 centimeters wide . Despite its name, it’s not just ...

  Necrosis is the medical term for the death of your body tissue. When the cells in your tissues die, it can affect many different areas of your body, including your bones, skin and organs. Necrosis can occur because of illness, infection, injury, disease or lack of blood flow to your tissues. What is necrosis? Necrosis is the death of the cells in your body tissues. Necrosis can occur due to injuries, infections or diseases. Lack of blood flow to your tissues and extreme environmental conditions can also cause necrosis. While dead body tissue can be removed, it can’t be brought back to good health. What are the different patterns of necrosis? When your body’s cells die of necrosis, they form different patterns and appearances. The dead cells appear one of six ways. These patterns include: Coagulative necrosis With coagulative necrosis, the dead cells remain firm and look normal for days after death. Lack of blood flow or oxygen to any part of your body except your brain can cause ...

  When something disrupts nerve signals to muscles, you may experience paralysis — being unable to make voluntary movements. Common causes of paralysis include strokes, spinal cord injuries and nerve disorders like multiple sclerosis. Bell’s palsy causes temporary facial paralysis. Paraplegia involves both legs, while quadriplegia affects all limbs. What is paralysis? Paralysis occurs when you’re unable to make voluntary muscle movements. A nervous system problem causes paralysis. Uninjured nerves send signals to muscles. Those signals make muscles move. When you’re paralyzed, or have paralysis, you can’t move certain parts of your body. What are the degrees of severity of paralysis? Some people experience temporary paralysis and regain partial or full movement over time. For example, Bell’s palsy temporarily paralyzes facial muscles. Palsy is the name for paralysis accompanied by tremors. Permanent paralysis means you never regain muscle control. The condition is irrever...