Health and the Nervous System

Drugs (compounds which can be addictive) affect the nervous system.  Stiumulants are drugs that increase the speed of communication within nervous system (at synapses or in centres).  They usually increase alertness and physical activity.  They include caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine and crack.  Depressants (narcotics)  slow down the activity of the nervous system.  For medical purposes they can calm nerves, relax muscles and help with insomnia.  They include alcohol, marijuana and opium.  Hallucinogens interfere with the nervous sstem in such a way that it results in distortions of the user's perception of reality.  Profound images, sounds and sensations will be experienced, but they do not actually exist.  Marijuana, in high doses can have this effect.  LSD and magic mushrooms are other examples of hallucinogens.  Drugs affect all parts of the body and can have a variety of effects depending on the user's genetic makeup, current physical and physiological state and the quality/quantity of the drug and its method of use.  What all drugs share as a common problem is that with time and continued use, the body accommodates to them, so the user feels the need to increase dosages to acheive the same effect.

Stress is a common problem in modern society.  Stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, which results in the increased production of adrenalin by the adrenal glands.  Continuous stress can bring on many illnesses as the body's normal functions cannot occur.

Mental States
When an individual continuously feels that he or she is unable to meet the expectations of his environment, it can lead to neurosis.  The unmet expectations can cause constant stress, which can lead to exhaustion, insomnia and loss of concentration.  A balanced lifestyle can help to prevent/solve this problem.
Depression is psychological state when the individual's level of interest drops.  There can be real, external reasons for this, but it can also occur without obvious external factors.
Paranoia is one of the most common psychological diseases, where the patient feels a constant fear.  Schizophrenia is when the patient believes at times that he is someone else.

Physical States
Headaches can be cause by many factors  and can be indicators of many diseases - tension, poor eyesight, encephalitis, low blood sugar, blood pressure change, low brain oxygen and many others.  Migraines are intense headaches, which often affect a whole lobe of the brain and can have other symptoms, such as vision problems and nausea.
Hemorrhagic strokes (gutaütés) occur when a blood vessel in the brain is damaged (due to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure) and then oxygenated blood no longer reaches an area of the brain.  Ischemic strokes (agytrombózis) occurs when a blood clot  or a narrowing blocks a blood vessel in the brain, also leading to a lack of oxygen to that part of the brain.  These are the most common type of strokes.
Epilepsia is the result of chaotic messages being sent through motor areas, resulting in sudden loss of conciousness and seizures
Concussions are the result of physical trauma to the brain.  They can result in unconciousness, headaches, nausea and vomitting.  If a person suffers from many concussions, it can lead to permanent damage.
Encephalitis (agyhártyagyulladás) is caused by viruses or bacteria that infect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Typical symptoms include headaches, stiff neck and back, high fever, vomitting and light sensitivity.