The Secret Ruler of Our Body: What You Need to Know About the Vagus Nerve

Have you ever felt a sudden, blackness in your eyes? Or do you feel a strange twist in your stomach when you feel very anxious or scared? Maybe your mouth starts to drool when you see a delicious food? Today we are talking about a very important, but not very talked about, 'secret master' in our body that may be behind all of this. It is the Vagus nerve . Although the name may sound strange, you will be surprised to hear what it does in our body.

Simply put, what is the Vagus Nerve?

Imagine that your body is a very complex machine. You can control some of the things in this machine as you wish. For example, raising an arm, talking, and walking. But there are many other things that you cannot control, that just happen. Like breathing, your heart beating, and your digestion. These are things that happen automatically (involuntary) in our body.

The main part of our nervous system that controls many of these automatic functions is called the parasympathetic nervous system . The vagus nerve is the main and most powerful nerve in this parasympathetic system. In fact, about 75% of the nerve fibers in this system are in the vagus nerve.

This is the tenth of the 12 nerves that originate in our skull (Cranial nerve X). "Vagus" in Latin means "wandering." This name is given because this nerve "wanders" through various organs of the body, from our brain to our intestines.

The role of the parasympathetic system

There are two parts to our autonomic nervous system:

1. Sympathetic system: This is what controls the "fight or flight" response. Imagine you're walking down the street and a dog suddenly jumps at you. Your heart beats faster, your breathing increases, and you sweat. This is the sympathetic system that prepares you for danger.

2. Parasympathetic system: This is the system that controls the "rest and digest" state. This system is activated when you are relaxed after a delicious meal, your heart beats calmly, and your food is digested well.

The vagus nerve is the master of the system that calms us and restores the body, as mentioned above.

What problems affect the vagus nerve?

If the functioning of the vagus nerve, which performs so many important functions, is impaired, our body can experience various problems. There are two main conditions that can be seen.

1. Gastroparesis

This is simply called "gastric insufficiency." When the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles in the stomach don't get the right signals. As a result, the food we eat moves slowly from the stomach to the intestines, sometimes stopping completely. It's like a traffic jam.

This condition can be caused by things like diabetes, some viral infections, and abdominal surgery.

2. Vasovagal Syncope

This is the "sudden loss of consciousness" that we've all heard of, and some have even experienced.

This is how it works: The vagus nerve overreacts to situations like extreme heat, fear, anxiety, pain, the sight of blood, or prolonged standing. This causes a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. The amount of blood reaching the brain is suddenly reduced, causing us to faint, lose consciousness, and fall. This is often the reason why children faint during morning assembly at school.

What are the symptoms that suggest a problem with the vagus nerve?

When there is a problem with the vagus nerve, the symptoms can vary depending on which part of the nerve is affected. See if you have any of these symptoms.

• Stomach pain and fullness: Feeling full even after eating a small amount of food, stomach pain.
• Acid reflux / GERD: Stomach acid coming up into the throat, causing chest pain.
• Difficulty swallowing: Feeling like you are choking when swallowing food.
• Changes in heart rate: Sudden decrease or increase in heart rate.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness: Fainting, especially when standing.
• Voice changes: hoarseness, choking when speaking.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss: Loss of appetite and weight loss for no apparent reason.
• Nausea and vomiting: Vomiting, especially of undigested food.

If you continue to have one or more of these symptoms, don't ignore them. It's important to see your family doctor and talk about it.

How does a doctor diagnose and treat problems like this?

When you see a doctor, he or she will listen carefully to your symptoms and examine you. Then, they may order a number of tests to confirm the exact cause of the problem.

• Upper endoscopy: A thin tube with a camera inserted down the throat to examine the esophagus and stomach.
• CT scan or MRI scan: Uses detailed images of the inside of the body to see if there is a problem.
• Echocardiogram: Checking the function of the heart.
• Gastric emptying study: A test that measures how long it takes for the food you eat to move from your stomach to your intestines.

Once the problem is identified, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment methods

Treatment depends on your condition.

• For gastroparesis:
• Dietary changes: Eat smaller meals several times a day, rather than eating a large meal at once, and reduce foods high in fat and fiber.
• Medications: Medications to reduce nausea, stomach pain, and speed up the emptying process of the stomach.
• Other treatments: In some cases, specialized treatments, such as electrical stimulation of the stomach, may be necessary.

• For Vasovagal Syncope:
• Lifestyle changes: Avoid standing for long periods of time, lie down when you feel faint, or sit with your head between your knees.
• Diet: Advise to drink more salt and fluids.
• Medication: Certain medications may be prescribed to control blood pressure.
• Compression stockings: Your doctor may advise you to wear special stockings that prevent blood from pooling in your legs.

What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?

This is a slightly more advanced treatment. Similar to a pacemaker, a small device that sends electrical signals to the vagus nerve is implanted under the skin of the chest. The gentle electrical signals from this device travel through the vagus nerve to the brain, controlling the brain's irregular electrical activity.

This treatment is currently approved for epilepsy and severe depression that has not responded to other treatments. In addition, further research is being conducted on its benefits for conditions such as headaches and arthritis.

What can we do to keep our vagus nerve healthy?

Keeping our entire nervous system healthy is also very important for the health of the vagus nerve. Try to incorporate these simple things into your life.

• Healthy diet: Eat vegetables, fruits, and nutritious foods. Reduce processed foods and foods high in sugar as much as possible.
• Regular exercise: Taking a short walk, running, or playing a sport you enjoy every day is very good for the nervous system.
• Diabetes and high blood pressure control: If you have these conditions, control them well according to your doctor's instructions.
• Reducing stress: Meditation and yoga can help you calm your mind. Deep breathing exercises are a great way to stimulate the vagus nerve.
• Good sleep: Getting enough sleep daily is essential for all body systems.

Vagus Nerve, Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Vasovagal Syncope, Gastroparesis, Dizziness, Loss of Consciousness, Stomach Ache, Digestion, Heartbeat