Does vagus nerve dysfunction have a connection with COVID-19?

Does vagus nerve dysfunction have a connection with COVID-19?

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Health

Introduction:

• There’s increasing interest in vagus nerve stimulation for health benefits, from anxiety to obesity.
• Methods like yoga and devices delivering electrical impulses are being explored.
• Recent research suggests a connection between vagus nerve dysfunction and long COVID.
  • Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection.

Vagus Nerve:

• The vagus nerve consists of a pair of nerves on each side, running from the brainstem to the chest and stomach.
• It’s a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation and vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
• This nerve is both sensory and motor, facilitating communication between the brain and the body.
• It also plays a role in immune system regulation.

Why Researchers Are Interested:

• Vagal nerves are the longest cranial nerves, connecting various essential body parts.
• They contain 75% of parasympathetic nervous system fibers, facilitating communication between the brain and body.
• Stimulation of these nerves may trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, offering potential health benefits.

Conditions Treatable with Vagus Nerve Stimulation:

• Implantable vagus nerve stimulators treat epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.
• Non-invasive devices for skin stimulation are emerging.
• Vagus nerve’s role in regulating inflammation is explored for treating various conditions.

Natural Vagus Nerve Stimulation:

• Methods like meditation, exercise, massage, humming, singing, and cold water immersion are suggested for natural stimulation.