Knowing our body and the parts that make it up is important to understand how it works and to be able to carry out practices that help it and keep it in a healthy state. Many times we hear about different parts of the body, but we do not know very well what they are, what they are for or what factors influence. To increase knowledge about these aspects, today we are going to see what the vagus nerve is and what it does in our body.
What is the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve is located in the area of the skull. It is the longest cranial nerve and is connected to some of the most important organs such as the stomach, heart, and lungs. This nerve has four pathways . Two of them input, that is, they send the information from the organs to the medulla oblongata; and two other outputs, which allow information to be sent from the medulla oblongata to the organs.
When we talk about the vagus nerve, we are talking about one of the main parasympathetic nerves . This means that one of its functions is linked to the parasympathetic nervous system . This system is in charge of reaching a level of relaxation or rest in our body. It balances and regulates the functions carried out by our body, helps us reduce stress and is also responsible for carrying out different functions in the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. Its action is contrary to that observed in the sympathetic nervous system, which accelerates or activates, while the parasympathetic slows down and regulates.
It is important to know these aspects because, to the extent that we activate the vagus nerve, we are enhancing its parasympathetic function, and this will help us maintain adequate levels of physical and mental health .
Functions of the vagus nerve
After seeing what the vagus nerve is, we understand that one of its main functions is its influence on the state of relaxation and regulation of the organs of our body. But, in addition to this, it has other functions such as the ones shown below:
- It is involved in the production of voice through the contraction of our vocal cords.
- It influences swallowing , the cough reflex and vomiting .
- It controls the contractions of the heart .
- Reduces the frequency of your heartbeat .
- Coordinate movements of the intestine and esophagus .
- Produces an increase in gastric juices .
- Promotes sweat production .
- It is involved in some taste sensations .
Vagus nerve stimulation
After finding out what the vagus nerve is and its functions, let's now see some things we can do to stimulate it properly . It is important that there is a good functioning of this nerve so that it performs its functions correctly.
The following techniques help us to stimulate the nerve to enhance the state of relaxation and regulation of the body.
- Sing This action stimulates the vagus nerve and helps regulate the heart rate.
- Meditate Performing meditation helps toning the vagus nerve. In addition, this type of practice has advantages and properties that help us in our day to day life. It allows you to exercise attention and concentration, channel emotions, increase cognitive flexibility, etc.
- Yoga Exercising in moderation helps stimulate this nerve, but yoga is especially helpful. Performing yoga increases parasympathetic activity, helps us achieve levels of relaxation and reduce stress.
Alterations in the vagus nerve
The alteration or damage to the vagus nerve can lead to different pathologies related to the functions it performs. For example, a deterioration in this nerve can cause speech problems, swallowing difficulties or alterations in heart rhythm.
One of the best known problems is the so-called vasovagal syncope . High activation of the vagal nerve results in a large decrease in the activity in which it intervenes. There is a decrease in heart rate and the dilated blood vessels cause less blood, and therefore less oxygen, to reach the brain causing a faint.
Vasovagal syncope
As we have just seen, high stimulation of the vagal nerve results in fainting . The situations that cause the activation of the vagus nerve can be diverse and can be related to emotional factors or sudden changes. Among the most common causes we find:
- Intense emotions such as fear.
- Pain sensations .
- Perform intense exercise .
- Sudden postural changes .
- Large changes in temperature .
- Be long standing.
- Stress.
- Lack of rest.
- Copious meals .
Symptoms associated with vasovagal syncope
It is good that we know the situations that can cause an episode of this type to avoid them as much as possible. In addition, these syncope are usually associated with a series of symptoms . Knowing them helps us to identify the situation and to react in time, before the fainting or falling occurs . Some of them are:
- Blurry vision.
- Pallor.
- Sweats
- Dizziness
- Feeling of weakness
- Auditory sensations such as buzzing .
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea .
As we have seen, identifying these symptoms allows us to anticipate fainting. The most important thing is to try to avoid the fall . If you start to feel any symptoms, hold on to a person or object near you, squat down, or sit on the floor. Do not try to bear the sensation, sit down and thus avoid the blow of the fall. Do not be in a hurry to recover, take the time you need until you are well .
It is important that you notify the people around you about the appearance of these episodes, so they will have knowledge about it, they will not be scared and they will be more prepared to act. Some of the recommendations that you can give them to carry out in case of loss of consciousness are:
- Lay the person down with the head to the side .
- Do not lift the person quickly or abruptly.
- When the person regains consciousness, encourage them to breathe and get up slowly .
- Keep the person seated for a few minutes before standing up.
