The Importance of Taking Care of Your Nerves at Any Age
Many people neglect the
health of their nervous systems, especially if they feel perfectly okay. For
most individuals, the lack of illness symptoms is the same as being healthy.
But, that is far from the truth. Good health includes your emotional, physical
and, social well-being, and these are greatly affected by the nervous system.
This system is
important in ensuring that the functions of the body are carried out normally.
For example, it allows blood to flow naturally and also helps in the regulation
of blood sugar levels. In addition, the nervous system helps in maintaining the
normal breathing pattern. People with conditions such as diabetes, migraines,
and asthma have disorders in their nervous systems.
The drugs prescribed to
patients with such conditions are meant to correct the functioning of the
nervous system as a way of bringing about relief.
Besides helping with
the normal body functions, the nervous system is also important in matters to
do with pain. When you step on something hot, your nerves will pick up the pain
and send the signal to your brain, therefore, allowing you to evade injury. If
your nerves pick up chronic pain, you can ease the discomfort by using pain
killers or anesthesia. In serious cases, people have to undergo surgery.
Stress and the Nervous System
Many diseases are
rooted in stress and emotional tension. Both of these are directly linked to
the nervous system. Usually, diseases caused by stress affect older people.
Children are affected in rare cases. Still, it is important to learn how to
manage stress at all ages as this will improve your general well-being. Tension
and stress usually lead to lifestyle conditions such as heart problems, asthma,
diabetes, obesity, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and migraines.
These result from a
disorder in the functioning of the nervous system. The system ends up being
incapable of handling the normal functions of the body such as circulation and
digestion.
●
Heart Disease
Stress leads to a
direct increase in heart rate and blood flow as the nerves are not able to
control your body functions properly. This leads to the release of
triglycerides and cholesterol into the blood stream, and this is what causes
heart diseases. In the same vein, stress increases the chances of engaging in
unhealthy habits such as smoking and overeating, therefore, causing obesity.
These are directly related to heart diseases. Also, sudden changes in the
nervous system have been noted to cause heart attacks and other serious cardiac
issues. For people who already have heart diseases, stress is likely to worsen
the conditions.
●
Asthma
In the case of asthma,
stress has been discovered to make the condition more severe. Even worse, high
levels of stress lead to the development of asthma in a mother's unborn
children. The risk of developing asthma in kids is much higher for women who
smoke when pregnant. Poor management of the nervous system is, therefore, a
major risk factor for asthma in both mothers and their unborn babies.
●
Belly Fat
High levels of stress
also raise the levels of the hormone cortisol, and this makes people deposit
fat in the abdomen. According to
researchers, the fat deposited in the belly poses a greater health
risk compared to fat stored in other areas.
●
Diabetes
Diabetes is another
problem that is both caused and worsened by disorders in the nervous system.
Stress directly raises the blood glucose levels, especially in people with type
2 diabetes. In addition, it increases the probability of excessively drinking
of alcohol and eating unhealthy foods. Both of these will eventually cause
diabetes.
●
Headaches
Because of poor
circulation of blood, stress will also cause headaches. Very high-stress levels
can even cause migraines.
●
Depression
Stress is closely
related to anxiety, and both of these are also linked to depression. According
to some studies, people who had stress in their professional lives have an 80
percent greater chance of getting depressed, which is in comparison to people
with healthy nervous systems.
●
Gastrointestinal Problems
Although stress does
not lead to the development of stomach ulcers, it plays a great role in
worsening the condition. Beyond that, it aggravates a host of other
gastrointestinal ailments. These include chronic heartburn and irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS). The latter condition is most common in women
and its exact cause is currently unknown. Some of the treatments recommended by
doctors include lifestyle and diet changes. Many patients who have stress will
find it hard to implement these treatment options. Stress has also been noted
to accelerate aging.
To reduce your chances
of getting these diseases, you will need to manage your stress. Besides
improving your physical health, managing your stress and emotional state will make you happier.
How Can You Take Care of Your Nerves?
Nervous tension results
in physical symptoms. Usually, patients breathe faster and experience higher pulse
levels. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are also released into the
blood stream. Also, stress causes the blood vessels to constrict, making the
heart work harder to pump blood around the body. To reduce the severity of
these symptoms, you can try these simple exercises:
●
Meditation
This can be done in
several ways. One common meditation technique involves concentrating on your
breathing pattern or repeating a phrase. You can also focus on a source of
light or a repetitive song. The point of the exercise is to improve your
concentration. Over time, you should increase the duration of the exercise.
●
Engage in Activities you enjoy
You should always set
aside time to engage in a hobby or any activity you find relaxing. You can get
involved in a sport or even visiting children's homes.
●
Express your Emotions
It is important to find
healthy ways to express your emotions and aggressions. You should laugh, cry,
engage in aggressive sports, or simply talk to someone about your problems.
Conclusion
Nerves are very
important in the body since they control many functions. Long-term tension in
the nerves can lead to serious lifestyle diseases, most of which are
life-threatening. Usually, this is because of the effects of stress on
processes such as breathing, blood vessel contraction and relaxation, and
circulation. It is, therefore, important to take care of your nerves at all
ages.
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