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