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The vagus nerve is responsible for the communication of nerve impulses with the organs of the body. It controls the processes necessary to keep a person alive. The vagus nerve is a mixed nerve associated with sensory, motor, and parasympathetic fibers. At the same time, it has two significant sensory convolutions – upper and lower. They are responsible for the proper functioning of the heart. The vagus nerve has many functions in the body.
The vagus nerve and its functions
The vagus nervebeing the cranial nerve, it does not pass through the spinal cord. Its task is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for the health of the human body, including stem and immune cells. First of all, it is responsible for the work of the heart and digestive tract, the respiratory system and the abdominal cavity. It also controls the innervation of the back of the skull.
Really vagus nerve is of great importance for the proper functioning of a human being, including, for example is responsible for the speech process.
Vagus nerve – diseases and their causes
Vagus nerve problems they can appear as a result of damage to its initial centers or due to damage to the fibers outside the cranial cavity. This may be due to damage to the brainstem or wounds in the neck.
Symptoms of damage vagus nerve are: articulation disorders, soft palate dropping, swallowing disorders, spasms of the larynx, trachea and esophagus, cough, breathing problems, problems with salivation.
Not only because of damage, pathology can develop vagus nerve, but also due to various diseases, e.g. Wallenberg’s syndrome, bulbar palsy. In turn, irritation of the vagus nerve can lead to a slower heart rate. It happens as a result of experiencing strong emotions or suddenly adopting a vertical posture.
The vagus nerve and its treatment, i.e. stimulation and vagotomy
Generally vagus nerve for treatment, it is stimulated, thanks to which the effects can be seen in the treatment of severe cases of epilepsy or drug-resistant depression. Stimulating vagus nerve electrical impulses takes place in the treatment of anxiety disorders or in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. The same works for treating rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
The vagus nerve He also undergoes a vagotomy, i.e. a procedure for cutting its fibers. This method is considered as a last resort in the treatment of gastric ulcer or antibiotic therapy. In this connection, that vagus nerve is responsible for the feeling of hunger or satiety, cutting its fibers is also used in patients suffering from obesity. However, it is not considered an effective treatment. In this case, the effectiveness of vagotomy has not been fully confirmed.