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Learn about the brain and nervous system
Your brain and your nervous system work together to help you do things like see, smell, taste, feel, and move. Your nervous system sends signals to your brain to control these important functions. It also takes messages from your brain to your muscles, organs, and skin. But sometimes there is a problem, and the signals can't be sent. For example, with Parkinson's disease, nerve cells in the brain break down and can't send signals, so you may have trouble moving the way you want to. Other problems, like vertigo, happen when your sensing systems send false signals to your brain.
Our topics can help you learn more about your brain and nerve symptoms. Find out about certain diseases and disorders so you can understand the best treatment for your needs. To get started, explore these brain and nervous system topics:
- Absence Epilepsy
- Abusive Head Trauma
- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
- ADHD and Hyperactivity
- ADHD in Adults: Behavioral Strategies
- ADHD Myths and Facts
- ADHD: Impulsivity and Inattention
- ADHD: Symptoms in Adults
- Agitation and Dementia
- Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Altitude Sickness
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Coping With Sundowning
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Maintaining Good Nutrition
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Making the Most of Remaining Abilities
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anesthesia
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Anosmia
- Antidepressant Withdrawal
- Apolipoprotein E-4 Genetic (DNA) Test
- Arachnoiditis
- Aspirin for Pain, Fever, and Inflammation
- Assistive Devices for People With Disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Aura and Seizures
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Autonomic Dysfunction
- Avoiding Mercury in Fish
- Back School for Low Back Pain
- Bacterial Infections of the Spine
- Bell's Palsy
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
- Bipolar Disorder in Children: Other Health Problems That May Occur
- Bipolar Disorder in Children: School Issues
- Bipolar Disorder: Hypomanic Episodes
- Blackouts Caused by Alcohol or Drugs
- Botulinum (Botox) Injection for Low Back Pain
- Botulism
- Brain Aneurysm
- Brandt-Daroff Exercise for Vertigo
- Capsaicin
- Caregiving: Making a Home Safe
- Carole's Story: Taking Medicine Right Away to Stop a Migraine
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Carotid Artery Stenting
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Safe Posture and Movements
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cervical Disc Herniation
- Cervical Spinal Fusion
- Cervical Spinal Stenosis
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Checklist for the Home for Vertigo
- Chemo Brain
- Chronic Pain
- Chronic Pain Syndrome
- Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Cochlear Implants
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pain Management
- Cognitive Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Cognitive Development, Ages 6 to 10 Years
- Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Concussion
- Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Depression in Children and Teens
- Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness
- Congenital Hydrocephalus
- Decompressive Laminectomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Dementia
- Dementia: Assessing Pain
- Dementia: Bladder and Bowel Problems
- Dementia: Helping a Person Avoid Confusion
- Dementia: Legal Issues
- Dementia: Medicines to Treat Behavior Changes
- Dementia: Support for Caregivers
- Dementia: Testing How Well a Person Functions
- Dementia: Tips for Communicating
- Dementia: Understanding Behavior Changes
- Depression
- Depression in Children and Teens
- Diabetes: Amputation for Foot Problems
- Diabetic Atypical Neuropathies
- Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Exercising Safely
- Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
- Discectomy for a Lumbar Herniated Disc
- Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo
- Driving a Car After a Stroke
- Dyslexia
- Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Encephalitis
- Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
- Epilepsy
- Epilepsy and Driving
- Epilepsy Medicine Therapy Failure
- Epilepsy: Atonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Focal Aware Seizures
- Epilepsy: Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures
- Epilepsy: Generalized Seizures
- Epilepsy: Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Myoclonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Tonic Seizures
- Epley and Semont Maneuvers for Vertigo
- Essential Tremor
- Evaluation and Treatment After a First Seizure
- Exercising to Prevent a Stroke
- Expert: Be Active to Help Your Back Heal
- Fainting
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- Feverfew for Migraines
- Focal Epilepsy
- General Anesthesia
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Head Injuries in Children: Problems to Watch For
- Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
- Head Injury, Age 4 and Older
- Headache Clinics
- Headaches
- Hearing Loss
- Heavy Sweating
- Helping a Person During a Seizure
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- How ADHD Affects Your Child
- How Adolescent Thinking Develops
- How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems
- Huntington Disease Genetic Test
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hyponatremia
- Increased Intracranial Pressure
- Infantile Spasms (West Syndrome)
- Insomnia
- Interactive Tool: Are You Depressed?
- Interactive Tool: Should I Consider Surgery for My Low Back Problem?
- Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET) for Low Back Pain
- Intravenous (I.V.) Regional Anesthesia
- Jerry's Story: Reducing Stress to Stop Tension Headaches
- Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
- Kernicterus
- Labyrinthitis
- Language Development Between 12 and 24 Months of Age
- Language Development From Age 6 to 10 Years
- Learning Disabilities
- Leg Problems, Noninjury
- Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
- Living With a Spinal Cord Injury
- Living With More Than One Health Problem
- Local Anesthesia
- Lumbar Herniated Disc
- Lumbar Spinal Fusion (Arthrodesis)
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Lyme Disease
- Mad Cow Disease and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
- Medical History and Physical Exam for Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
- Medicines That Can Cause Confusion or a Decreased Alertness
- Medicines That Can Cause Headache
- Medicines That Can Cause Weakness or Fatigue
- Medicines That May Cause Lightheadedness or Vertigo
- Meditation
- Melatonin
- Memory Problems: Issues With Driving
- Memory Problems: Tips for Helping the Person With Daily Tasks
- Memory Problems: Wandering
- Meningitis
- Migraine Headache Triggers
- Migraine Headaches
- Migraine Headaches in Children
- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
- Mild, Moderate, and Severe Vertigo
- Misdiagnosis of Lyme Disease
- Mitochondrial Diseases
- Mobility After a Spinal Cord Injury
- Monitoring During Anesthesia
- Morton's Neuroma
- Motion Sickness
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy
- Multiple Sclerosis Progression
- Multiple Sclerosis: Alternative Treatments
- Multiple Sclerosis: Benefits of Exercise
- Multiple Sclerosis: Bladder Problems
- Multiple Sclerosis: Mental and Emotional Problems
- Multiple Sclerosis: Modifying Your Home
- Multiple Sclerosis: MRI Results
- Multiple Sclerosis: Questions About What to Expect
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Getting Support
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Managing Your Energy
- Myths About Tourette's Disorder
- Myths and Facts About Depression
- Neck Pain
- Neisseria Meningitidis
- Nerve Ablation for Chronic Pain
- Nerve Block for Chronic Pain
- Nerve Function Tests for Evaluating Low Back Problems
- Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy
- Nervous System Problems
- Nervous System Problems Caused by Medicines
- Neurosyphilis
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
- Nonepileptic Seizures (NES)
- Nonfatal Drowning
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Office Ergonomics
- Open Carpal Tunnel Surgery
- Opioids
- Optic Neuritis
- Orthopedic Surgery for Cerebral Palsy
- Pain Control Diary
- Pain Diary
- Pain in a Spinal Cord Injury
- Pain Management
- Pain Management Clinic
- Pain: Getting Help at Home
- Pallidotomy for Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson-Plus Syndromes
- Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's Disease and Exercise
- Parkinson's Disease and Freezing
- Parkinson's Disease and Nutrition
- Parkinson's Disease and Sexual Problems
- Parkinson's Disease and Speech Problems
- Parkinson's Disease and Tremors
- Parkinson's Disease: Eating and Drooling Problems
- Parkinson's Disease: Modifying Your Activities and Your Home
- Parkinson's Disease: Movement Problems From Levodopa
- Parkinson's Disease: Other Symptoms
- Percutaneous Discectomy for a Lumbar Herniated Disc
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Anesthesia
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Phantom Limb Pain and Chronic Pain
- Pinched Nerve In or Near the Elbow
- Post-Polio Syndrome
- Pregnancy and Epilepsy
- Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pressure Injuries From Scuba Diving
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Prolotherapy for Low Back Pain
- Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Questions About Medicines for Epilepsy
- Questions Your Doctor May Ask Before Prescribing Medicine for Depression in Children and Teens
- Rabies
- Regional Anesthesia
- Rehabilitation Programs for Multiple Sclerosis
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Returning to Play After a Head Injury During a Sporting Event
- Reye Syndrome
- Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
- Sciatica
- Screening for Hearing Problems
- Sedation
- Seizures
- Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy
- Self-Care After a Stroke
- Sensory and Motor Development Ages 6 to 10 Years
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Sensory and Motor Growth in Newborns
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Shingles
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Spasticity
- Special Diets for Epilepsy
- Speech and Language Delays: Common Misconceptions
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech and Language Development: Helping Your 1- to 2-Year-Old
- Speech and Language Development: Signs of Possible Problems
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 1 to 3 Years
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 3 to 5 Years
- Speech and Language Milestones, Birth to 1 Year
- Speech Problems: Normal Disfluency
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia
- Spinal Cord Injury: Abdominal Thrust Assist (Assisted Cough)
- Spinal Cord Injury: Adapting Your Home
- Spinal Cord Injury: Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Spinal Cord Injury: Breathing Practice
- Spinal Cord Injury: Costophrenic Assist (Assisted Cough)
- Spinal Cord Injury: Finding a Rehab Center
- Spinal Cord Injury: Flexibility Exercises
- Spinal Cord Injury: Safe Transfers To or From a Wheelchair
- Spinal Cord Injury: Self-Assisted Cough
- Spinal Cord Injury: Sensual Exercises
- Spinal Cord Injury: Talking With Your Partner About Sex
- Spinal Cord Injury: Your Rehabilitation Team
- Spinal Manipulation
- Spondylolisthesis
- Stages of Lyme Disease
- Stages of Sleep
- Stages of Syphilis
- Stopping Medicine for Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Stroke: Behavior Changes
- Stroke: Bladder and Bowel Problems
- Stroke: Changes in Emotions
- Stroke: Common Problems
- Stroke: Dealing With Depression
- Stroke: Getting Dressed
- Stroke: How to Prevent Another One
- Stroke: Memory Tips
- Stroke: Perception Changes
- Stroke: Problems With Ignoring the Affected Side
- Stroke: Speech and Language Problems
- Stroke: Your Rehabilitation Team
- Stuttering
- Talk to Others About Depression
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- Teen Alcohol and Drug Use
- Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
- Temporary Confusion or Decreased Alertness
- Tension Headaches
- Tension Headaches in Children
- Thalamotomy for Parkinson's Disease
- Tips for Parents of Children With Epilepsy
- Tourette Syndrome (TS)
- Tourette's Disorder: Tic Triggers
- Tracking Chart for Level 1 and Level 2 Exercises for Vertigo
- Tracking Charts for Walking for Vertigo
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Types of Headache
- Types of Migraine Headaches
- Types of Multiple Sclerosis
- Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
- Use Heat or Ice to Relieve Low Back Pain
- Vertigo: Level 1 (Easy) Balance Exercises
- Vertigo: Level 2 (Harder) Balance Exercises
- Vertigo: Staying Safe When You Have Balance Problems
- Vertigo: Walking Exercises
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia
- Weakness and Fatigue
- West Nile Virus
- Worried About Using Opioids?
- Wrist Splint for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Angiogram
- Angiogram of the Head and Neck
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Head and Face
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Spine
- Cranial Ultrasound
- Creatine Kinase Test
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies
- Electronystagmography (ENG)
- Evoked Potential Test
- Lyme Disease Test
- Magnesium (Mg) Test
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Head
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Spine
- Mental Health Assessment
- Myelogram
- Neurological Examination for Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Seizure Medicine Levels in Blood Test
- Self-Test for Breath Alcohol
- Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
- Sleep Studies
- Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)
- Vitamin B12 Test
- Alzheimer's Disease: Should I Take Medicines?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take to Prevent Stroke?
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Should I Have Surgery?
- Depression: Should I Stop Taking My Antidepressant?
- Depression: Should I Take an Antidepressant?
- Headaches: Should I Take Medicine to Prevent Migraines?
- Insomnia: Should I Take Sleeping Pills?
- Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
- Low Back Pain: Should I Try Epidural Steroid Shots?
- Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery?
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?
- Multiple Sclerosis: Should I Start Taking Medicines for MS?
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Should I Take Medicine for OCD?
- Panic Disorder: Should I Take Medicine?
- Stroke Prevention: Should I Have a Carotid Artery Procedure?
- ADHD: Helping Your Child Get Things Done
- Bipolar Disorder: Preventing Manic Episodes
- Depression: Dealing With Medicine Side Effects
- Depression: Taking Antidepressants Safely
- Epilepsy: Taking Your Medicines Properly
- Headaches: Managing a Headache
- Migraines: Finding and Avoiding Triggers
- Stroke Recovery: Coping With Eating Problems
- Tension Headaches: Finding and Avoiding Triggers
- Vertigo: Balance Exercises
Current as of: December 20, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
