7 Problems That Can Affect The Brain

Several times I find myself thinking about different things at the same time; basically drifting in and out of various scenarios. I think it’s normal; so long I don’t start muttering to myself (loudly) and drawing people’s attention. But jokes apart, we all experience the in-and-out musing. For instance you could be in the middle of an executive meeting in Lagos, but your mind slowly recaptures that beautiful summer vacation on the Bahamas, you smiled and your colleagues wonder what the smile is all about. Before long you drift out of that back into the moment, but soon thinking how to pick up your spouse for that cocktail party in the evening…and wondering if you remembered to pay the electricity bills. Before you say Jack Robinson,  you're back again into the meeting, hoping no one noticed your momentary exit. 

Yes your brain is always on the go, because the brain not only controls what you think and feel, the way you move and talk, but also many things you are not too mindful of such as your heart beat, how you digest your food, how much you sleep, and even how much stress you feel. 

Brief analysis of the nervous system

If the brain is a central computer that controls all bodily functions, then the nervous system is a network that transmits messages to and fro the brain to different parts of the body. This is done through the spinal cord, an 18 inches long and ¾ inch thick, threadlike nerve which runs from the brain down the back and branches out to every organ and other parts of the body, called peripheral nervous system. Anytime a message comes into the brain, the brain tells the body how to react. For example, if you accidentally dip your hand in boiling water, the nerves in your hand shoot a pain message to the brain. The brain then sends a message back telling the muscles in your hand to pull away. The human brain is amazingly compact at a little over 1 kg in weight. Its many folds and grooves, however, give it extra surface necessary for storing all the important information of the body.

The brain and the spinal cord are protected from damage by bone. The brain by the skull, and the spinal cord by a set of ring-shaped bones called vertebrae. The brain and the spinal cord are cushioned by layers of membranes called meninges as well as a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid helps protect the nerve tissue, keep it healthy, and remove waste products.

Since the brain controls almost everything, when there is a problem with it, most times it’s serious and upset several different parts of the body. Genetically inherited diseases, brain complaints linked with mental illness, and head injuries can all affect the way the brain works and upset the daily activities of the rest of the body. 

Here are 7 problems that can affect the brain.

1. Brain tumors.  A tumor in the brain may grow slowly and produce few symptoms until it becomes large, or it can grow and spread quickly, causing severe and speedily worsening symptoms. Brain tumors in children can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors usually grow in one place and may be treated through surgery if located in a place where they can be removed without damaging the normal tissue near the tumor. A malignant tumor is cancerous and very likely to grow quickly and spread.

2. Cerebral palsy. This is the consequence of a developmental defect or damage to the brain before or during birth, thereby affecting the motor areas of the brain. A person with cerebral palsy may have normal intelligence or can have serious developmental delays or mental retardation. Cerebral palsy can affect body movement in many different ways. In mild cases of cerebral palsy, there may be minor muscle weakness of the arms and legs, while in other cases, there may be more serious motor impairment, with a child having difficulty speaking and doing basic movements like walking.

3. Epilepsy. This condition is composed of broad different types of seizure disorders. Partial seizures involve definite areas of the brain, and symptoms differ based on the location of the seizure activity. Other seizures, called generalised seizures, involve a bigger area of the brain and usually trigger uncontrolled movements of the entire body and loss of consciousness when they happen. Although the definite cause is not known in several cases, epilepsy can be linked to brain injury, tumors, or infections. In addition, the propensity to develop epilepsy may be genetically related to families.

4. Headaches. The most frequently occurring and the common type is the tension headache, caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. Migraine on the other hand is an intense repeated headache with an unclear cause, while the cluster headache is considered by some to be a form of migraine. Migraines start with or without warning and may last for several hours or days. There seems to be an inherited predisposition to migraines as well as certain triggers that can lead to them. People with migraines may experience faintness, numbness, sensitivity to light, and nausea, and may see flashing crisscross lines before their eyes.

5. Meningitis and encephalitis. These are infections of the brain and spinal cord that are normally caused by bacteria or viruses. Meningitis is an inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord, while encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue. The two illnesses may cause permanent injury to the brain.

6. Mental illness. Mental illnesses are psychological and behavioral in nature and include a broad variety of difficulties in emotion and physical. Certain mental illnesses are now known to be related to structural defects or chemical dysfunction of the brain. Some mental illnesses are inherited, but frequently the cause isn’t known. Injuries to the brain and prolonged drug or alcohol abuse also can trigger some mental illnesses. Signs of chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may first show up in childhood. Mental illnesses obvious in younger people include depression, eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias.

7. Head injuries. Head injuries fit into two types: external (usually scalp) injuries and internal head injuries. Internal injuries may involve the skull, the blood vessels within the skull, or the brain. Fortunately, most childhood falls or blows to the head result in injury to the scalp only, which is usually more frightening than threatening. An internal head injury could have more serious implications because the skull serves as the protective cap for the delicate brain. Concussions are also a type of internal head injury. A concussion is the temporary loss of normal brain function as a result of an injury, which can lead to permanent injury to the brain if repeated. One of the most common reasons kids get concussions is through sports, so it is important to make sure they wear appropriate protective gear and don’t continue to play if they have had a head injury.

Medical attention

The best solution to any of the problems highlighted is to seek medical attention immediately at the slightest symptoms. Avoid self-medication, and approach with caution the use of herbal remedies unless they have been clinically approved. For further online information on what can go wrong with the brain, visit WebMD, Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, and most importantly talk to your doctor .

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