What is the vagus nerve? The first question that many people call this phrase is why is it still wandering?
12 pairs of nerves are connected to the human brain, which, in turn, are called cranial nerves. The 1st, 2nd and 8th pairs of nerves are responsible for distinguishing between light, smell and sound. The 3rd, 4th and 6th pair are responsible for controlling the movements of the eyeball and the pupil. The 5th and 7th pair are responsible for managing facial expressions, but the 12th pair is responsible for the language. The 9th, 10th and 11th pair of nerves are responsible for the stomach, heart and lungs, as well as other internal organs (and so on to the internal oral cavity). The tenth pair of nerves is called the “vagus nerve", it is connected, like all other pairs of nerves, with the entire cranial cerebral parasympathetic system, and has an effect on almost all parasympathetic nerve fibers. In addition, by transmitting signals through them, it excites almost every internal human organ. Its name comes from the Latin word "vagus" - wandering, because it seems to wander around the entire body of a person. Its branches are located in the head, cervical, thoracic and abdominal parts of the human body.
The vagus nerve affects many of the human reflex actions, such as swallowing, coughing, vomiting, filling and emptying the stomach. It also regulates many processes: heartbeat and respiration. The vagus nerve in the human body forms the solar plexus. According to its functions, this nerve is called mixed, since it includes both motor fibers and sensitive fibers and autonomic.
The vagus nerve may be susceptible to the following diseases:
- angioneurosis is a disease in which there is a violation of vascular function as a result of a disorder of autonomic innervation. This series includes the following diseases: Raynaud's disease, migraine, Meniere's disease, erythromelalgia;
- neurasthenia is a neurosis that is characterized by increased irritability with irritability, exhaustion, weakness and impaired function of the autonomic nervous system.
Migraine is a paroxysmal headache that has an independent nosological form.
Meniere's disease is a defeat of the segmental apparatus of the brain and peripheral parts of the human nervous vegetative system , manifested by bouts of dizziness and a simultaneous decrease in hearing.
Raynaud’s disease is a lesion of the segmental apparatus of the brain and peripheral parts of the human nervous vegetative system, the signs of this disease are blanching or cyagosis of the fingers, as well as parts of the face when cooled, emotional and other irritations, symmetry of the lesions.
How to keep the vagus nerve healthy? The treatment of its pathologies is difficult, remember this. Diseases in this area are difficult to treat and seriously complicate life. It is necessary to consult a doctor on time for any signs and unpleasant symptoms that are alarming you, fulfill the appointment and just be less nervous.
In severe cases, electrical stimulation is often prescribed, sometimes even surgical methods are used. The previously used method of "alcoholization" (the introduction of ethyl alcohol in the form of injections) is becoming less common. Unfortunately, treatment with folk remedies is ineffective or gives insignificant results. Therefore, do not get carried away with it - you can lose precious time that you can spend on a full examination and treatment. Modern diagnostic methods with great accuracy can identify the disease and help in the appointment of effective procedures. Do not neglect the advice of a doctor - vagus nerve diseases are dangerous for their complications, sometimes very serious.
Now, knowing a little more about the vagus nerve, you can always protect its “health”!