VAGUS NERVE DYSFUNCTION

The vagus nerve, also known as cranial nerve X, is the longest cranial nerve, spanning throughout your entire body. The vagus nerve contains motor and sensory fibers and has the widest distribution in the body of any cranial nerve. Because of this, the vagus nerve has an affect on a wide span of bodily functions, from gut-brain axis communication to neurotransmitter management to hormone balance to inflammation prevention and more. Therefore, dysfunctions in vagus nerve function can have varying and widespread effects throughout the body.

THE SYMPATHETIC AND PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

When you are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system causes your body to go into a heightened state commonly referred to as the "fight or flight response". In this state, heart rate increases, bronchial tubes in your lungs dilate to take in more oxygen, muscles tense, and more glycogen is converted into glucose. This processed developed evolutionarily in order to prepare the body to run away from things that endanger it. But, in addition to these smaller changes, other body processes are slowed or stopped, including saliva production, gastrointestinal function, and digestion. Though we may no longer need to physically run away from the things that cause us stress all the time, these changes to our bodily functions still occur. The vagus nerve is responsible for the “calming” of your body and the returning of the body to homeostasis, also known as the "rest and digest" state, after periods of stress. Therefore, when the vagus nerve is not functioning properly, your body does not return to homeostasis as it should.

The potential health effects of vagus nerve dysfunction

Many individuals with vagus nerve dysfunction experience anxiety as well as depression from neurotransmitter imbalances. Other symptoms may include nutrient deficiencies (particularly B vitamins), insulin dysregulation, balance or coordination issues, abnormal heart rate, intolerance to movement or motion sickness, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, poor memory or focus, decreased digestion, liver dysfunction, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fainting, etc. Fortunately, your practitioner can run tests and help implement ways regulate the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve dysfunction symptoms that are being displayed can help your nutrition practitioner determine the exact nutritional interventions that may be implemented for your personalized management protocol. It is important to note that you should not start any diet or supplementation protocol without discussing any changes with your practitioner.