Vagus Nerve: What It Is & Why It Matters

There’s a reason and purpose for every single component of your body. These parts and pieces work together so that your body and brain can perform to the best of their ability each and every day. 

The lungs and respiratory system help us breathe. 

The heart is in charge of filtering and pumping blood to the body and lungs. 

The liver detoxifies the body by filtering blood to help prevent things like diseases and infections. 

The stomach and intestines work on breaking down food for digestion and storing it for energy. 

Every piece of you makes you into the person you are sitting or standing here today. A lot of these body parts overlap and must work together as a unit instead of operating independently. 

But what’s the area of the body that connects all of these different parts and pieces to ensure they’re constantly communicating with one another? It’s none other than the vagus nerve. Let’s learn more about the vagus nerve and why it matters. 

What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is one of the major components of the parasympathetic nervous system. It’s also known as cranial nerve X or the tenth cranial nerve. This part of the body controls bodily functions like digestion, heart rate, and the immune system. The vagus nerve is composed of different fibers that send signals between the body and the brain.

What is the Function of the Vagus Nerve?

The main function of the vagal nerves lies within someone’s sensory and motor skills. These are some of the main functions of the vagus nerve:

• Blood pressure

• Breathing

• Digestion

• Heart rate

• Immune system response

• Mood

• Saliva production

• Sensations in the muscles and skin

• Speech

• Taste

Where is the Vagus Nerve Located?

The vagus nerve isn’t as well known as other parts of the body. This nerve is the longest cranial nerve that a person has. It actually makes up 3/4 of the nerve tissue in the parasympathetic nervous system. It runs all the way from someone’s brain to their large intestine. This path of the vagus nerve starts in the lower brainstem at the medulla. From there, the nerves pass or connect through different parts of the body, like the neck, chest, heart, lungs, and stomach.

What are the Signs of Problems with the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve can be affected by different signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms are dependent on different factors like the specific cause and the part of the nerve that is affected. These are some of the most common signs and symptoms of issues in the vagus nerve:

• Abdominal pain

• Acid reflux

• Bloating

• Changes in blood pressure

• Changes in blood sugar

• Changes in heart rate

• Difficulty swallowing

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Lack of appetite

• Loss of voice

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• Wheezing

How to Keep Your Vagus Nerve Healthy

Taking care of your vagus nerve starts by taking care of yourself. You have to feel good from the inside out, which means that you have to work to keep yourself and your nervous system happy. You can do this by eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, managing any health conditions or concerns, spending time moving your body, being physically active during your day, and practicing different mindfulness techniques.

Treatment Options and Next Steps

Your vagus nerve is an extremely important part of your body. It helps manage different functions of your body that are necessary to your day-to-day life. Damage to your vagus nerve can lead to other problems and conditions. If you want to learn more about correcting or maintaining a healthy vagus nerve, we’re here to help you. Reach out to JoyFeel Therapy today to learn more.