Brain & nervous system ailments

September 11, 2009 RENU

Central nervous system comprises the brain & spinal cord.
Brain’s 100 billion interconnected cells make it the most complex structure known.
Though brain is only 2% of body weight, it uses 20% of body’s energy.
Brain exchanges info with every organ via spinal cord & peripheral nerves.
Brain’s neurotransmitters communicate with every cell in the body.
Brain is the center of our senses, thoughts, feelings & the coordination of all movement & body processes.
Brain has 4parts: brain stem, cerebellum, midbrain & cerebrum.
Brain stem & cerebellum control involuntary functions.
Midbrain, located on top of the brain stem deep within the brain, is involved in the expression of emotions.
Cerebrum consists of 2cerebral hemispheres connected by a band of nerve fibers. Left/rational hemisphere specializes in logical thought & right/intuitive hemisphere in perceiving & feeling emotions, appreciating visual patterns & music.
Spinal cord descends from brain stem in a central canal within the spine & acts as highway for info.
Ailments range from the tingle of an irritated nerve to strokes & tumors.
Conventional approach: Painful symptoms treated with analgesics & other medications.
Complementary approach: Work with body & mind, dietary modifications may be advised.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel is the round bone found at the front of the wrist.
Symptoms- Numbness, pain, tingling in palm, thumb, 1st 2 fingers, worsens at night.
Cause- Compression of median nerve that passes through the wrist in people who make repetitive movements, such as keyboard operators or in women who are pregnant, menopausal, taking oral contraceptives, experience PMS, or in people with underactive thyroid.
Conventional treatment: Consult doctor at the 1st sign of symptoms. If condition persists, medication, plaster cast, or even surgery recommended to take pressure off the nerve.
Self help: Hang arm down the side of bed at night or wear wrist brace for relief.
Acupuncture: Needles inserted into local points around the wrist to help relax tension in the soft tissues.
Osteopathy: Manipulation to increase mobility & disperse excess fluids in the local soft tissue to relieve symptoms.
Homeopathy: Nat mur 6c if retaining fluids. Aconite 6c if pain keeps you awake at night as aconite eases pain.
Nutritional therapy: If swelling is due to buildup of fluid, may recommend vit B6 supplements or eat foods rich in B6(whole wheat bread, wheat germ, fortified cereals, liver, bananas, fish, nuts, dried brewer’s yeast, yeast extract).
Other options: Acupressure & Hydrotherapy.

Entry Filed under: Ailments