VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2014
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
SYSTEM IN FOCUS: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM • Banging your head • Brain attack
System in focus: The nervous system ZAP YOUR NERVES INTO HEALTH, AND AVOID THESE UNNERVING, DEBILITATING DISEASES. Cogito ergo sum. “I think, therefore I am.” This philosophical proposition by René Descartes has been used (and overused) by many and often, yet its essense re-
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/BenefitsMadeBetter
mains true. While the ancient Greeks assumed the center of one’s being and intelligence resided in the heart, we now know better. The brain is the seat of human reasoning and emotions, and then more. It also stores our memories and regulates many bodily functions.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
T
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2014
he brain is just one part of the ner-
will develop migraine at one point in his or
itself, the muscles surrounding the head and
vous system. The other parts include
her life. Migraine is characterized by intense
neck, and the blood vessels of the head
the spinal cord and the nerves. The
headache associated with other symptoms,
and brain.
nervous system has been described by many
such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to
as something like a computer network. The
light, sound, or smell. The pain is described
relief from over-the-counter painkillers, such
brain acts as the central processor, that
as pulsating, and may last from 2 to 72
as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Coffee (caf-
sends “electrical” messages through the spi-
hours. It is usually made worse by physical
feine) can also benefit some patients, so try
nal cord, to the nerves, to different organs,
activity. Majority of people who have mi-
chugging a cup if you think you may have
including the skin. In the same way, these
graines note that only one side of the head
migraine. For some people who have mod-
same organs send messages to the brain
is in pain, but some people can have head-
erate to severe migraine, doctors can pre-
through the nerves and spinal cord.
ache in both sides.
scribe stronger analgesics.
One-third of people perceive an aura: a
Prolonged use of painkillers is a bad
these messages are indeed “electrical” mes-
transient visual, sensory, language, or mo-
idea, because it can cause medication over-
sages, caused by the flow of electrically
tor disturbance which signals that the head-
use headache. This is the headache that oc-
charged ions in and out of nerve cells.
ache will soon occur. Examples of aura are
curs when a person who overuses painkillers
The flow of electrical charge through
flashes of light, a sense of lightheadedness,
suddenly stops taking these medications.
millions of nerve cells, even when we are
confusion, among others.
asleep, is actually hard work for cells—and
consumes a lot of energy. In fact, one-fifth
get migraines than men.
of the fuel and oxygen in blood goes to the
Migraines
regular
gers. The most common triggers are noise,
head to feed the brain. This blood is fed to
headaches. Instead they can be so severe
bright lights, offensive smells, and monoso-
the brain through large arteries that branch
that people resort to banging their heads
dium glutamate (MSG or vetsin). If you have
into thousands of tiny arterioles and capil-
against a wall to cover up the pain. Despite
migraines, avoid these triggers to prevent at-
liaries that feed and nourish every nerve cell.
all the research on migraines, its cause is
tacks, and overall stress as well. Depression
still unclear. However, studies suggest that
and anxiety have been shown to intensify
Banging your head
it may be due to a rapid firing of nerves
migraine attacks. Outdoor exercises such as
One of the most common diseases of the
followed by a period of inactivity. This is
jogging, walking, and biking, can help re-
nervous system is migraine. A fifth of people
then followed by pain signals from the brain
lieve these aggravating factors.
And yes, as we learned in elementary,
In adults, women are twice more likely to are
not
Staying healthy
your
Patients with migraine can sometimes get
In many cases, migraines can have trig-
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2014
Brain attack
Like in a heart attack, time is of the utmost im-
pressure have arteries of poorer health,
The next most common neurological dis-
portance. The sooner the patient is brought
making them more susceptible to blood flow
order is a condition more commonly called
to the emergency room, the higher the
interruption. It is recommended that blood
stroke, but is more appropriately called brain
chance that he/she can make a favorable
pressure should be controlled to no more
attack. Like a heart attack, a brain attack is
recovery. The goal is to prevent death and
than 140/90 mmHg. A low-salt diet, regu-
when the blood flow to the brain or parts of
minimize the disability that would remain af-
lar aerobic exercise, stress relief, and avoid-
the brain is interrupted. The interruption may
ter recovery.
ance of smoking are important measures to
be due to a blood clot blocking the passage
lower blood pressure. Hypertension medica-
of blood (ischemic stroke), or a rupture of the
tions may be given to those whose blood
blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). When
pressure remains high despite the aforemen-
blood flow is interrupted, nerve cells are
tioned lifestyle modifications.
deprived of nourishment and die.
The symptoms of a brain attack depends
stroke. If you have diabetes, it is important
on the kind of stroke and the blood vessel/
to maintain your blood sugar levels near nor-
part of the brain that is affected. The most
mal levels through your anti-diabetic medi-
common symptoms of brain attack are:
cations and a low-fat high-fiber diet (yum,
Diabetes is another strong risk factor for
veggies!). • Sudden headache
• Sudden weakness of the face, tongue,
is a treatable major risk factor for stroke. This
condition is when the smaller chamber of
arms or legs
Lastly, a condition called atrial fibrillation
• Sudden numbness
Staying healthy
your heart (atrium) does not contract prop-
• Slurring of speech
The risk factors of heart attack are similar
erly. This causes blood clots to form, and
• Seizures
to the risk factors of brain attack. Control
travel to the brain. The next time you get a
• Loss of consciousness
these risk factors, and you minimize the risk
check-up, especially if you also have hyper-
• Poor balance
of getting a brain attack.
tension or diabetes, ask your doctor for an
• Vomiting
electrocardiogram too, to check if you may
The strongest risk factor of brain attack is
high blood pressure. Those with high blood
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2014 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
have atrial fibrillation.
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD