What exactly is the sympathetic nervous system? Your brain is a super machine, it has the power to control you, your feelings, your emotions, your body reaction, the way you breathe and the way you handle many other things. When you are facing danger, an adrenaline rush,one part of your brain receive this message and therefore,you have the ability to quickly response to these threats and take necessary actions to avoid them.But do you know why? Its because you have a sympathetic nervous system.
Nervous System Definition
When thinking about a sympathetic nervous system definition it is important to consider that it is one of the autonomic nerves in the nervous system. The autonomic nervous systemis divided into two parts- the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Autonomic nerves are responsible for regulating the functions of your internal organs.The parasympathetic nervous system allows your body to slowly respond to activities like digesting your food properly. Unlike the parasympathetic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system accelerates your body response, and allows your body to function under extreme stress, therby generating the fight/flight response. So this is why you are able to distinguish danger from other things. So where exactly is this sympathetic nervous system located? There is a series of interconnected neurons which operates within your sympathetic nervous system.These sympathetic neurons are said to be located on the peripheral nervous system, but they are also said to be located in the central nervous system. The sympathetic neurons of your spinal cord located in the central nervous system are joined together by chemical synapses with the neurons located in the peripheral nervous system through a series of sympathetic ganglia. How is your brain able to receive the messages from your body and react accordingly?
It is quite interesting how the messages are conveyed within your brain. The neurons on your spinal cord which are called as presynaptic neurons. The presynaptic neurons releases a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which in turn binds and activates receptors called nicotine acetylchloline on the neurons located on your peripheral nervous system. These neurons located on the peripheral nervous system are called as postsynaptic neurons. After the postsynaptic neurons receive the messages, they automatically release noradrenaline, also called as norepinephrine. Now, the adrenal medula releases adrenaline after prolonged activation. This adrenaline and the noradrenalin in turn bind adrenergic receptors on the peripheral tissues. This binding of adrenergic receptors is the reason why your brain is able to quickly respond to threats or called as the fight/flight response. What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on your body? By now, you have understand the sympathetic nervous system definition, where it is located, and how the messages are conveyed.But do you know that when your pupils dilate, when you get extremely excited, when you are experiencing positive emotions and joy, when you feel the need to excercise and when you are experiencing joy and happiness, you stimulate the sympathetic neurons. But the sympathetic nervous system is also activated when you feel terror, rage, exposure to sudden temperature change and elation.
The strongest sympathetic nervous system activator is said to be feelings of emotional distress, when you face extreme danger or severe threat.In circumstances like this, the sympathetic nervous system automatically makes some changes in your body for your survival. The changes made by the sympathetic nervous system includes normalizing your heart rate so that your blood circulates perfectly to supply oxygen and glucose to your body to help you to fight or run away from the threats, dilating your pupil for better vision, minimize loss of fluids in your system by water retention and prevent you from loss of blood by increasing your blood clotting,etc. Is the sympathetic nervous system important? Many of you might not realise the importance of the SNS, but if the sympathetic nervous system goes wrong, it can cause severe problems like heart attack, hormonal imbalance, fluctuation of blood pressure, difficulty in swallowing and breathing problems, erectile dysfunction in men, sinus problems, insomnia, immune system problems and allergic reactions. If you feel like you are having these problems, consult your doctor immediately and take nutritional supplements with vitamins and minerals.
Take care of your health to live a properous and healthy life.
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