Our body’s nervous system has two parts: the central Nervous system comprising of the Brain and the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system comprising of the nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord. Peripheral nerves which proceed from the brain and spinal cord are 43 in number on each side. The central Nervous System is responsible for integration of all nervous activities. The peripheral nervous system includes the autonomic nervous system which it self is divided in to symphathetic and parasymphathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system is concerned with bodily functions.
The basic unit of the nervous system is Neuron – the nerve cell. Neurons have axons (extended nerve fibre) for sending impulses points dendrites for receiving impulses. The contact points between the nerves are called synapses. The axon secretes tiny quantities of chemical messengess called Neuro – transmitters. These convey impulses across synapses. Different types of nerves use different neurotransonitters for conveying impulses across the synpses.
The nervous system is an amazing and a complex communication system. It is vulnerable to diseases. For example Degeneration of nerves causes parkins ons and Alzheimer’s diseases. Nervous disorders are difficult to diagnose and treat.
There is a major difference between Ayurveda and Allopathy in the perception of Nervous disorders. Ayurveda did not connect brain with consciousness or brain – based disorders. In Ayurveda brain and mind are considered different entities. In death, the brain dies while the “mind” lives on and takes birth in a new body. But the western system of science and medicine considers that mind and thinking are parts of the brain function. In Ayurveda the seat of the mind is the heart while in modern western medicine, the seat is the brain.
In Ayurveda, the central Nervous system, central Nervous system (CNS) is considered to be part of Majja Dhatu (Majja – Marrow, Dhatu – Body tissues). The term Dhatu Shosa may mean ‘degeneration’ of body tishues.
Kinds of Nervous disorders
Nervous disorders can be broadly categorised as organic or functional. Organic disorders are diseases which result in somatic changes – like sclerosis, tumours etc. Functional disorders are those where no bodily symptons are recognized – examples – Epilepsy, hysteria etc.
Some Diseases of the Nervous systems are Fainting (Murcha), Vertigo, Coma, Insomnia, Epilepsy, Loss of memory (Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), Parkinson’s disease, Migraine, Sciatica, muscle crambs, Paralytic afflictions etc. Mental disorders like Hysteria, schizophrenia are also included as nervous and mental disorders.
Causes
Herditory factors play an important role in causing Nervous diseases. Ayurveda altributes blockage of Manovaha srotas (mind bearing channels by vitiated doshas, as the cause for mental illness. Ayurveda describes several basis inborn charactenstics of men that make them prone to nervous and mental disorders – such as -
• persons with more Rajas and Tamas Gunas
• persons with vitiated doshas
• those who eat and drink improper foods
• persons with weak will power
