Nervous System Disorders: Common Types, Causes, and Symptoms

4.10.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

The human nervous system is an incredibly complex network of nerve cells that transport electric signals to and from the brain and facilitate the function of literally every muscle, organ, and tissue.

As with any system, the more complex it is, the more likely that even minor dysfunctions can cause big problems. Nervous system disorders are an all-too-common issue—in fact, a 2021 study estimated [1] that fully 1 in every 3 people in the world suffer from some sort of neurological condition.

In this blog post, we’re going to take a deep dive into nervous system conditions. We’ll look first at what your nervous system does and how it works, then examine a few of the most common types of nervous system problems.

We’ll look at a few of the symptoms that will indicate your nervous system may be in trouble, and what you can do to manage and prevent health problems.

By the time you reach the end of this post, you’ll have a much better idea of not only the ways your nervous system is most likely to malfunction, but how you can take action in your daily life to ensure optimal nervous system function.

Introduction to Nervous System Disorders

The nervous system is made up of two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Together these parts consist of:

• Your brain, which is the master controller and part of your central nervous system.
• Your spinal cord, which is the electrical superhighway, is also part of the central nervous system.
• Your peripheral nerves, which branch out from your spinal cord to connect with every corner of your body and make up your peripheral nervous system.

The nervous system is responsible for regulating your voluntary and involuntary internal processes—from speech to breathing, movement to digestion, blinking to sweating.

It also receives messages from your body—for example, sensations of pain or cold or heat—to transmit back to your brain. These sensory details help you translate your experience of the world around you and warn you of dangers.

The nervous system also plays a role in thoughts, feelings, memory, learning, wound healing, sleep, and your response to stressful or dangerous situations.

It works by passing electric signals through neurons:

• Motor neurons deliver information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles and facilitate movement.
• Sensory neurons deliver information from your senses (your eyes, ears, skin, etc.) to your brain to perceive your environment.
• Interneurons connect these motor and sensory organs, regulating movement in response to sensory input (for example, jerking away your hand from a hot stove).

Your somatic nervous system guides voluntary movements while your autonomic nervous system manages involuntary functions.

Common Types of Nervous System Disorders

Unfortunately, there are a number of medical conditions and disorders in which certain parts of your nervous system begin to shut down, malfunction, or break down. A few of the most common are listed below.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that destroy or damage components of your nervous system and, over time, cause progressive deterioration and malfunction.

A few of the more common include:

• Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia involve progressive neuronal damage in your brain. This damage can lead to memory loss and personality changes as well as a wide range of other symptoms.
• Parkinsonism-type diseases include Parkinson’s and a number of medical conditions that are similar in nature. These are caused by deterioration of and damage to the parts of your brain that regulate muscle function.
• Prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This is a condition in which misfolded proteins damage the brain. Typically, the damage can be severe and far more rapid than other conditions, leading to a shorter-than-average survival time.
• Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (see below) or neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorder (NMOSD). These are caused by damage to the myelin that encases nerve cells and facilitates the transmission of nerve signals.
• Motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also often called "Lou Gehrig’s disease") involve the progressive degeneration of motor neurons which leads to muscle weakness causing loss of voluntary movement. Progressive supranuclear palsy affects the brainstem which impacts movement and balance.

The most common characteristic of these conditions is progressive deterioration (hence the name "degenerative") over time. Symptoms tend to be varied, but will often include memory issues, loss of coordination, tremors, and muscle weakness.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is caused by improper signaling of the nerve cells, which can lead to uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity—what we call "seizures". The seizures can cause emotional and behavior symptoms and affect awareness, muscle movements, and sensations.

It’s estimated [2] that around 3.4 million people have seizure disorders in the U.S., with 150,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Symptoms may include uncontrolled muscle movements or muscle jerking, changes in your senses (hearing, smell, vision, etc.), temporary confusion, loss of consciousness, comprehension and conversation difficulties, and accelerated heart rate.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disease. Simply put, your own immune system attacks the myelin sheath protecting your nerves, breaking down this protective layer and causing higher risk of nerve dysfunction.

MS exact cause is unknown. However, it’s likely from a combination of genetic factors, environmental factors, or infectious agents (like viruses).

Symptoms tend to be varied and unpredictable. They often include muscle weakness, fatigue, vision problems, balance and coordination issues, pins and needles sensations, spasticity, tremors, and speech problems.

Stroke

Strokes occur in one of two ways:

• Ischemic strokes are when blood flow to your brain is blocked (due to narrowed or obstructed blood vessels or a blood clot, often caused by vascular disorders).
• Hemorrhagic strokes are when a blood vessel in your brain ruptures and causes bleeding in your brain.

In both cases, blood supply to your brain is interrupted, depriving it of the oxygen it needs to function. Brain cells that lack oxygen begin to die off quickly (in a matter of minutes). It’s a very serious and often life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of stroke to watch out for include slurred speech, confusion, numbness, paralysis, weakness, vision difficulties, and loss of balance.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which your peripheral nerves (located in your arms and legs) are damaged by trauma, infection, or health issues.

Diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, autoimmune or inflammatory disorders, tumors, potent medications, and genetic conditions are all common causes of peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of this nerve disorder include tingling, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, numbness, and unexplained pain sensations.

Others

Other medically significant nervous system disorders include:

• Autonomic neuropathy – A condition where the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure, are damaged. It often occurs in people with diabetes or autoimmune diseases.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) – A rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. Symptoms can escalate quickly and include muscle weakness, numbness, and even paralysis.
• Myasthenia gravis – A chronic autoimmune disorder that affects communication between nerves and muscles. It causes muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
• Chiari malformations – Structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum that can cause headaches, balance issues, and coordination problems. In some cases, they lead to hydrocephalus or spinal cord complications.
• Tethered cord syndrome – A neurological condition resulting from tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. It often causes pain, motor issues, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
• Trigeminal neuralgia – A chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, causing sudden, severe facial pain, often triggered by simple activities like chewing or talking.
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) – Damage to the spinal cord from trauma or disease, leading to partial or complete loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury.
• Hydrocephalus – A buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, which can increase intracranial pressure and cause headaches, nausea, cognitive difficulties, and balance problems.
• Neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida) – Birth defects involving incomplete development of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They vary in severity and often require surgical intervention.

These conditions vary in cause, severity, and prognosis but all interfere with the normal function of the nervous system.

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Causes of Nervous System Disorders

There are a number of factors that can contribute to, elevate your risk or, or directly cause nervous system disorders.

Genetic and Hereditary Factors

Genetics are one of the most influential factors in nervous system disorders.

Genetic mutations can be passed down from one generation to the next, leading to conditions like Huntington’s disease. Genetics also play a large role in the development of epilepsy and ALS.

Environmental factors (see below) can often stack with genetic conditions to doubly increase your risk of developing some nervous system health problem or condition.

Infections and Inflammatory Causes

Infections like bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis can cause inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, which can lead to neurological dysfunction.

Infections in your extremities can also contribute to peripheral nerve disease and disorders.

Trauma and Physical Injury

Traumatic injuries to the brain or spinal cord can inflict significant enough damage that it triggers neurological conditions.

Accidents, falls, and sports injuries are all known contributors to neurological disorders.

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Various lifestyle choices including your diet, alcohol consumption, and whether or not you smoke can all raise or lower your risk of developing conditions like peripheral neuropathy or stroke.

Autoimmune Reactions

Your immune system can also play a significant role in your nervous system health.

If you have autoimmune conditions that attack healthy cells (such as MS, which attacks the myelin sheath protecting your nerves), your own body can be the source of the progressive neurological damage.

Common Symptoms of Nervous System Disorders

Nervous system disorders can show up in unexpected ways. Sometimes it’s a subtle change, and other times it’s something more serious. Knowing the symptoms can help you catch problems early and get the care you need sooner.

General Symptoms Across Neurological Disorders

A few of the most common symptoms of neurological conditions are:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Loss of motor control
• Pain, including headache, neck pain, and back pain
• Stiffness
• Tremors and spasms
• Changes to your senses

While symptoms can vary from person to person, many neurological disorders share common warning signs. If you notice any of these changes in yourself or someone else, it’s worth having a conversation with a healthcare provider.

Symptoms Specific to Each Disorder

Each condition has very specific symptoms to be aware of and recognize:

• Neurodegenerative Diseases typically are often noticed by symptoms like memory loss, confusion, tremors, and difficulty moving.
• Epilepsy typically causes recurrent seizures, sudden falls, and confusion after episodes.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) typically presents with vision problems, tingling, fatigue, and painful or stiff muscles.
• Stroke symptoms often include sudden numbness or weakness, trouble speaking, and vision loss.
• Peripheral Neuropathy typically causes numbness, tingling, sensitivity, and muscle weakness.

It’s of the utmost importance that you learn to recognize these symptoms as early as possible. Why? Simple: symptom recognition is the best way to get prompt and effective medical attention!

In many cases, the neurological disorders will cause slow deterioration over time. However, in the cases of certain conditions, particularly stroke, the symptoms will come on quickly and the damage inflicted will be rapid and, if left untreated, catastrophic. Knowing how to tell stroke symptoms apart from other neurological disorders may save your life or the life of someone else.

And bear in mind that these neurological conditions will progressively worsen if left untreated or unmanaged. Recognizing the symptoms correctly is the first step towards getting medical help and treatment that, while it may not be able to stop the neurological conditions, can prevent deterioration and improve your quality of life.

Prevention and Management Strategies

Let’s be clear: a lot of the neurological disorders we listed above do not have cures. However, there are some treatments that can help manage symptoms and, in some cases, slow the disease’s progression.

And, more importantly, you can take active steps to mitigate the risk and reduce the likelihood of their occurring, as well as treat symptoms.

Below, we’ll share with you a few of the most effective prevention and management solutions you should start putting into action today.

Healthy Lifestyle and Diet

The way you eat and move can have a massive impact on your nervous system health.

A healthy, balanced diet will provide your brain, spinal cord, and nerves with the micronutrients and antioxidants they need to function properly. They’ll also help manage obesity, lower your blood pressure, and enhance brain function.

Exercise will also help lower blood pressure and clear blockages from your arteries, thereby reducing your stroke risk. Daily exercise will also contribute to healthy functioning of your nervous system and protect against peripheral arterial disease.

Avoiding Risk Factors

The two biggest risk factors that will drastically elevate your risk of nervous system disorders are:

• Smoking;
• Excessive alcohol intake.

Both elevate your blood pressure, increasing the risk of brain bleeds that could contribute to stroke. They can both also damage the arteries in your extremities and raise your risk of peripheral arterial disease.

Quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol consumption can drastically lower your risk of neurological conditions.

Regular Medical Check-ups and Screenings

Many nerve conditions can be managed and mitigated if caught early. If you notice any of the symptoms we shared above—either the general symptoms or condition-specific symptoms—it’s absolutely a good idea to get to your healthcare provider and get tested for neurological disorders. 

This advice is doubly important for people who have a family history of nervous system conditions (ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s, PAD, etc.) or who are at higher risk (due to obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, autoimmune conditions, high blood pressure, etc.).

Medical screenings like blood tests, EEGs, EMGs, CTs, and nerve conduction studies help with diagnosing nervous system conditions early. The sooner you recognize the danger, the more effectively you can make a plan with your doctor to manage nervous system disorders.

Sleep Better and Manage Stress 

Sleep is crucial for healthy brain function. Sleep regulates your nervous system, ensures production of neurotransmitters, and gives your brain time to repair the synaptic connections that keep electrical signals traveling through your entire nervous system.

Getting a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is one of the best things you can do to prevent nervous system problems.

Managing stress is another highly effective preventative measure. Stress can cause cognitive deterioration, dysregulate your autonomic nerves, impact brain function, and raise your blood pressure. Do Yoga, go for a walk, listen to relaxing music, or read a book—anything that can help you keep your stress in check!

Cognitive Exercises

Cognitive exercises will not only help reduce stress, but also work the "muscles" of your brain, which is crucial for slowing the progression of neurodegenerative conditions.

For a healthier brain, try:

• Learning a new skill or hobby
• Learning a new language
• Learning a musical instrument
• Doing puzzles, crossword puzzles, or Sudoku
• Playing brain-training games, or complicated board games with a lot of rules
• Exercising and dancing
• Socializing
• Playing video games

The more you keep your brain flexing and training, the more you protect your cognitive health.

In Conclusion 

Your nervous system is responsible for so many crucial functions—movement, registering sensations, digestion, organ function, and the list goes on.

Because of how complex it is, it’s often the first of your bodily systems to experience problems. While the issues may start off minor, if allowed to progress, they can become serious, even life-threatening.

That’s why it’s so important for you to emphasize good neurological health. You can do that by putting into practice the lifestyle and diet tips we shared above, as well as getting regular medical screenings. Pay attention to any symptoms you may experience that could indicate neurological issues, and get checked out at the first sign of a problem.

Catching neurological l diseases early is the best way to arm yourself with the right tools to prevent, manage, and mitigate them. Treating nervous system disorders can drastically improve your quality of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the number one most common neurological disorder?

Stroke is the most common cause of neurological disability and death [3], contributing to around 6 million deaths each year. However, it’s estimated that around 50 million people live with epilepsy, and 47.5 million live with dementia.

What are neurological symptoms you shouldn’t ignore?

Persistent or sudden onset headaches (called "thunderclap headaches"), blurry or double vision, weakness, numbness, memory loss, confusion, balance problems, seizures, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle spasms, and cognitive difficulties are all indicative of potentially serious neurological conditions.

Which vitamin is good for the nervous system?

B vitamins—particularly B1, B6, and B12—contribute to a healthy nervous system. B vitamins help form the myelin sheath protecting nerves, protect the nerve endings, and maintain the nervous system. Vitamin C can also reduce your risk of oxidative damage and preserve healthy nerve cells.

Resources

Overview of Nervous System Disorders

Neurological Disorders

The Nervous System

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