Our body is composed of billions of neurons and hundreds of nerves. One of the nerves we may have never heard about is the vagus nerve. Even though the vagus nerve isn’t the largest in the body, it’s super important for your body to work properly.
So, have you heard of what is your vagus nerve, but don’t know much about how it works? It’s always best to do some research.
Here’s what you need to know about the vagus nerve, and what functions it serves in the body.
What Is the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves. It starts in the brain stem and extends to the abdomen. The vagus nerve sends information to the brain about the body’s organs and controls the body’s fight-or-flight response.
The vagus nerve is also responsible for the body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s involuntary functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
What Are the Vagus Nerve Functions
There are many vagus nerve functions, but they can be divided into four main categories; visceral functions, motor functions, secretory functions, and sensory functions.
Visceral Functions
The vagus nerve is responsible for innervating the majority of the organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. This includes the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines.
Motor Functions
In addition to innervating the organs, the vagus nerve also controls the movement of the vocal cords and the muscles of the pharynx and larynx.
Secretory Functions
The vagus nerve is responsible for the secretion of several digestive juices, including saliva, Gastrin, and pancreatic enzymes.
Sensory Functions
The vagus nerve is also responsible for transmitting information from the organs to the brain. This includes information about blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and gut motility.
What Are Vagus Nerve Common Concerns
Vagus nerve common concerns generally relate to the potential for the development of conditions that can impact the normal functioning of the nerve. These conditions can include entrapment, inflammation, or damage to the nerve due to trauma or surgery.
In some cases, a build-up of scar tissue can also compress the nerve and lead to problems. In addition, people with certain autoimmune diseases may be at higher risk for developing problems with the vagus nerve.
Considering Vagus Nerve Stimulation at Home
Vagus nerve stimulation at home (VNS) can be a life-changing treatment for some people with epilepsy. It can greatly reduce the number of seizures a person has, and in some people, it can even stop seizures altogether.
VNS is a treatment that is usually done in a hospital. But for some people, it can be done at home. This is called “home VNS.”
Home VNS has many benefits. It can be less expensive than hospital VNS. And it can be more convenient because you can do it at a time that works for you.
If you are considering home VNS, talk to your doctor about it.
Know What is Your Vagus Nerve And Take Care Of It
If you want to improve your health and quality of life, it’s important to know what your vagus nerve is and how to take care of it. This nerve plays a vital role in many of your body’s functions, and keeping it healthy is essential. There are many ways to keep your vagus nerve healthy, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress-reduction techniques.
Taking care of your vagus nerve is an important part of taking care of yourself, so make sure you know what it is and how to keep it healthy.
