Y​our nervous system includes your brain, spinal cord, and nerve cells. Many nervous system diseases don't have a cure. This fact doesn't stop people with these diseases from living a full meaningful life.

Some common motor neuron diseases that affect movement and getting around are:

• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease
• multiple sclerosis  (MS)
• multisystem atrophy 
  
• Parkinson's disease 
  
• peripheral neuropathy ​(severe nerve damage from diabetes or other disease)
• stroke ​
  

What problems can nervous system diseases cause?

These disorders affect different parts of the nervous system. This can cause problems with:

• nerves and muscles not working normally (movement)
• how things feel on the body (sensation)
• bladder and bowel function
• thinking and understanding (cognition)
• swallowing
• pain
• breathing, shortness of breath

How can palliative and end-of-life care help?

Palliative and end-of-life care teams can give extra support to you and your family during the difficult times in an illness. Your palliative and end-of-life care team can help:

• answer questions you or your family have
• manage your symptoms
• give emotional support to you and your family
• find other supports if you need a higher level of care (for example, go from home to supported living or hospital) ​​
  
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