1. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

2. The Control Center of the Body  The nervous system is your body’s control center  Carries messages to and from your brain and the rest of your body.  Controls senses  Smell, touch, hearing, tasting, and sight  Controls breathing  Controls thoughts and movements  Nervous system can be harmed or permanently damaged by alcohol use.

3. Parts of the Nervous System  Neurons  Cells that make up your nervous system  They send and receive messages to and from brain.  Central Nervous System (CNS)  Made up of the brain and spinal cord  Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)  Made up of nerves that connect the CNS to all parts of the body  Brain  Is the command center of the nervous system  Spinal Cord  Long bundle of neurons that sends messages to and from the brain.

4. Problems with the Nervous System  Injuries  Physical injury  Your head, neck, or back could be injured and be very harmful to your nervous system.  A spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis.  This means you cannot move some parts of your body.  A brain injury can cause brain damage, loss of memory, and loss of some physical abilities  Example would be tying you shoes

5. Problems With the Nervous System  Disorders  Multiple sclerosis  A disorder that attacks the CNS  Damages the outer part of some nerves  This causes messages not to be sent properly  It will affect your thinking and memory  Cerebral Palsy  Damage to the brain while the brain is growing  No cure for either disease.  Other disorders are  Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy

6. Infections  Some viruses cause illnesses that can harm your nervous system  Examples are polio, ravies, and meningitis.  There are vaccines that can protect you from this.

7. Alcohol and Drug Abuse  Alcohol can  Affect your brain  Destroy millions of brain cells, which are never replaced  Affect your thinking and how your body moves.  Some other drugs can harm the part of the brain that helps control:  Breathing, heart rate, and sleeping.  Some drugs can harm your nervous system so much that you start imagining objects or lights that aren’t really there  hallucinating.

8. Taking Care of Your Nervous System  Live a healthy lifestyle.  Eat nutritious foods  Make sure you get enough rest  Don’t dive into shallow water  Get a spotter when lifting heavy weights