Where is the vasal vagal nerve

Individuals with an overactive vagus nerve that results in abnormally low heart rate may also be at risk for first-degree heart block.

In the medical community, however, the vagus nerve is well known and well studied, especially the topic of vagus nerve stimulation and its potential impact on many diseases. Other studies include vagus nerve stimulation as a potential treatment for headaches, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases. In traditional vagus nerve stimulation, a device is implanted in the chest and a wire is connected to the left vagus nerve.

A study looked at the impact of vagal nerve stimulation in people with mild to moderate gastroparesis without a known underlying cause. After 4 weeks, participants saw improvements in their symptoms, including their ability to empty the bowel, suggesting this could be a useful therapy for people with this condition. The vagus nerve stimulates certain muscles in the heart that help to slow heart rate.

When it overreacts, it can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in fainting. This is known as vasovagal syncope. Factors that can trigger this include pregnancy, emotional stress, and pain, but there may be no clear cause.

To prevent it, a doctor may recommend drinking plenty of fluids or avoiding standing up quickly. Vagus nerve stimulation VNS involves placing a device in the body that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the nerve. Experts believe the vagus nerve might form a link between depression, metabolic disease, and heart disease. If research can confirm this, researchers say VNS could help with a variety of health issues. The device is usually placed under the skin of the chest, where a wire connects it to the left vagus nerve.

Once the device is activated, it sends signals through the vagus nerve to your brainstem, transmitting information to your brain. A neurologist usually programs the device, but people often receive a handheld magnet they can use to control the device on their own as well. Experts are keen to learn more about the vagus nerve, as it may hold clues to various health issues. If VNS can help manage depression, some people have been looking into various ways of stimulating the vagus nerve to boost mental well-being.

Vagal response reduces with age, according to research. People with a strong vagal tone may find it easier to relax after a stressful event, and their body may be better able to manage inflammation and gut issues. It may also be better equipped to manage blood sugar , according to research published in However, there is not enough evidence to prove that all these devices and techniques are safe and effective for everyone.

Always speak with a doctor before trying a new treatment strategy, as it may not be suitable for you. There is some evidence that VNS can help reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis RA , an anti-inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints and other symptoms throughout the body.

In , researchers published findings after measuring markers of inflammation in 30 people who used a VNS device to help manage RA for 12 weeks.

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The vagal response occurs when the vagus nerve is stimulated. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the brain stem to the chest and abdomen. When this nerve is stimulated, it sets off a chain of events within the body. These changes can result in a wide variety of unpleasant sensations and symptoms. The vagal response gets its name from the interplay between your vagus nerve and your blood vessels.

The vagal response goes by a variety of names, including:. This article explains the vagal response, its triggers, symptoms, causes, and how to cope.

There are a variety of triggers that can set off the vagal response. Some of these triggers are internal, while others come from the environment.

Common triggers include:. Once a vagal response has been triggered, you may have a variety of physical symptoms. These include:. The vagal response involves your central nervous system brain and spinal cord , peripheral nervous system nerves , and cardiovascular system heart and blood vessels. When the reflex is triggered, it causes your blood pressure and heart rate to drop suddenly. When this happens, the blood vessels in your legs may widen. This can cause blood to pool in your legs, which can cause your blood pressure to drop even further.

All of these changes can result in less blood flow to your brain. This may make you feel as if you might faint. The strength of the vagal response and the resulting symptoms varies from person to person.