What causes the vagus nerve. Vagus nerve injury (vagus neuropathy)

The central nervous system receives external signals and impulses from internal organs about danger and gives commands to improve the situation, so deviations in the system can lead to serious health problems. What is the vagus nerve, what signs of discomfort indicate its inflammation and that you need to see a doctor, let's try to figure it out.

What is the vagus nerve

Twelve nerves leave the brain. The tenth (X) pair of nerves emerging from the skull is called vagus or wandering due to its wide distribution, fermentation throughout the body. According to human anatomy, the vagal nerve is the longest, has two trunks and a complex structure. Along the entire length of the vagus, nuclei of the vagus nerve are formed. Nervus vagus covers the following parts of the human body:

Head department. The vagus enters this part after leaving the skull, due to the branches of the nerve, the meninges are innervated in the cranial cavity, the posterior wall of the external auditory canal near the temporal bone.
Neck department. Here, the nerve fibers are located in the muscles of the pharynx, vocal cords, soft palate, and uvula. In the neck, the vagus fibers are located partially in the thyroid gland and in the mucous membranes: pharynx, larynx, epiglottis and root of the tongue.
Thoracic department. The nerve enters this zone through a hole in the diaphragm, its branches form plexuses: cardiac, pulmonary and esophageal.
Abdominal section. Here the vagus descends through the esophagus through a hole in the membrane and goes to the stomach, liver, pancreas.

Vagus consists of a complex of fibers of three types:

Sensitive. Vagus fibers are found in the auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and meninges; receive and transmit information.
Motor. This part of the nerve is activated to execute the command after processing information in the brain and consists of vagus fibers in the muscles of the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus.
Vegetative. Nerve fibers are responsible for the stable activity of the internal organs, endocrine glands, circulatory and lymphatic systems and include the nerve endings of the vagus in the muscles of the heart, in the smooth muscles of the lungs, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Causes

It is impossible to overestimate the value of the vagus, a violation of the function of the vagus nerve leads to:

failures in the activity of the respiratory organs, heart muscle, endocrine glands, digestive system;
disorders of blood pressure regulation.

Irritation, inflammation, pinching or damage to the nerve fibers leads to an imbalance in the activity of the organs innervated by the vagus. The lesion may be located inside the skull or cover the peripheral parts of the vagus. Intracranial causes of pathology include:

Problems can arise in the peripheral part of the vagus, these include:

infectious diseases (dysentery, sinusitis);
poisoning;
chronic alcoholism;
trauma;
endocrine diseases;
tumors.

Symptoms

Manifestations of nerve damage depend on: localization, cause of occurrence, degree of damage. Intracranial damage can involve all three types of vagus fibers and have severe consequences - paralysis of both nerve trunks, dysfunction and death. The following symptoms may indicate damage to the vagus:

dysfunction of swallowing;
violation of the timbre of the voice, the appearance of hoarseness;
difficulty breathing;
constipation or diarrhea;
change in heart rate.

Inflammation of the vagus nerve

Signs of inflammation of the vagus depend on the location of the source of the lesion:

In the head area, symptoms can be manifested by hearing loss, dizziness, headache (migraine).
In the cervical region, there are: a change in voice and pronunciation of words, difficulty in swallowing, a violation of the cough reflex.
In the chest area, the lesion may be accompanied by respiratory failure, chest pain.
Due to inflammation of the vagus in the abdominal cavity, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation may occur.

Tone

The autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers that balance their activity. Their normal interaction determines a healthy tone. The good work of the vegetative system is evidenced by:

positive mood of a person;
a slight increase in heart rate after inhalation, its decrease after exhalation;
ability to manage their emotions in stressful situations.

When the nerve is damaged, the autonomic system suffers, a malfunction in the activity of the parasympathetic fibers of the vagus leads to the manifestation of symptoms of neurasthenia:

lethargy, apathy with increased tone;
irascibility and irritability with reduced tone.

Irritation

Serious disturbances in the activity of internal organs occur when the vegetative fibers of the nerve are irritated. The activity of the parasympathetic fibers of the vagus is aimed at:

expansion of blood vessels,
slow heartbeat,
decreased contraction of bronchial smooth muscle
stimulation of the secretory function of the glands of the abdominal cavity,
the occurrence of cough as a protective reaction.

With irritation of the parasympathetic fibers of the nerve, the work of the endocrine glands increases, intestinal motility increases. An excessive amount of gastric juice sometimes causes the development of stomach or intestinal ulcers, and increased peristalsis leads to diarrhea. As a result of irritation of the nerve, bronchospasm, an asthma attack may occur.

Vagus nerve and arrhythmia

The cause of a violation in the work of the cardiovascular system may be damage to the vagal nerve. In patients, there is a change in the rhythm of heart contractions:

The activity of the parasympathetic system is designed for the night, so at night the heart rhythm disturbance increases. Patients are concerned about pain in the chest, a feeling of lack of air. The defeat of the vagus may be accompanied by a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, or the opposite symptoms when the parasympathetic fibers of the nerve are depressed.

Diagnostics

For the success of treatment, early contact with a specialist and a correct diagnosis are important. The examination should be performed by a neurologist. During the examination, the specialist conducts:

checking the timbre of the voice and pronunciation of words;
examination of the soft palate (a sign of defeat - sagging), the position of the tongue (it deviates to the unaffected side).

Swallowing disorders are determined using a glass of water: patients with nerve lesions tend to cough when swallowing. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe the study:

laryngoscopy to determine the condition of the vocal cords;
radiography;
electrocardiogram.

Treatment

To achieve a positive result in the treatment of the vagal nerve, it is necessary to determine the cause of the disease and eliminate it. Sometimes the patient's well-being improves after plasmapheresis - blood purification. A positive result can be achieved with the help of electrical stimulation of the nerve - the direction of diadynamic currents in the area of pain sensation.

Medical therapy

Predominantly, the treatment of the nerve is carried out by conservative methods. In exceptional severe cases, surgical intervention is prescribed. Therapy of the affected vagus is carried out with the following drugs:

anti-inflammatory - Meloxicam, Nise;
antihistamines - Suprastin;
a complex of vitamins;
anticholinesterase - Neuromidin, Prozerin;
hormonal - Prednisolone.

ethnoscience

You can use the methods of traditional medicine as an addition to the prescription of a doctor and with his consent, but you cannot self-medicate the vagus. To improve well-being, you can prepare tea from herbs:

Pour 1 tablespoon of thyme with 50 milliliters of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Scheme of administration: divide into 4 servings and drink.
Pour a glass of boiling water 2 tablespoons of a mixture of mint and lemon balm, leave for 20 minutes, divide into 2 portions and drink.

A bath will help calm the body. The water temperature should be 33 degrees. To prepare a bath, pour a mixture of herbs with 10 liters of boiling water and leave for 6 hours. The mix options are:

calamus root, yarrow, oregano, pine buds;
sage leaves, valerian root.

You can avoid the disease by taking a complex of vitamins that strengthen nerve cells, help the body fight fatigue, and improve mood. Vitamins A, B, C, E are useful. As antidepressants, sedatives, you can use foods:

Vagus prevention

To avoid damage to the vagus, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits. To prevent stressful situations, you need to plan your working day. Disease prevention includes:

Video

The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

What is the vagus nerve: symptoms and treatment of its damage

The vagus nerve (lat. nervus vagus, nervus vagus, vagus nerve) is the tenth of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves, descending into the thoracic, cervical and abdominal spine.

They respond to the innervation of various organs and systems. The nerve got its name due to the fact that it is through it that the signal from the brain is transmitted to almost all the most important organs.

Anatomy and functions of the vagus nerve

The main functions of the vagus nerve include:

innervation of the mucous membrane of the lower part of the pharynx and larynx, the skin behind the ear, part of the eardrum, the external auditory canal, the dura mater of the cranial fossa;
innervation of the muscles of the lungs, intestines, esophagus, stomach, heart;
influence on the secretion of the pancreas and stomach;
motor innervation of the muscles of the soft palate, muscles of the esophagus, larynx, pharynx.

Thus, the vagal nerve is responsible for regulating:

As a result of violations of the vagus nerve, cardiac arrest and, accordingly, death are possible.

Everything about the vagus nerve: where it is located, its anatomy, functions, possible disorders and treatment methods:

Anatomy and functions of the branches of the vagus nerve

Causes of disruption in the work of the vagus

Vagus nerve disorders can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common:

diabetes mellitus: as a result of insulin entering the blood in insufficient quantities, damage to the walls of blood vessels occurs, which provokes circulatory disorders, stagnant processes intensify;
chronic diseases: tuberculosis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, as a result of the release of toxins by pathogenic microorganisms into the blood, blood poisoning and the appearance of inflammatory processes in organs and systems, including the nerve;
injuries (especially the consequences of accidents);
alcoholism and, as a consequence, alcoholic neuralgia, which most often affects the vagus nerve;
Parkinson's disease;
multiple sclerosis;
meningitis;
brain tumors;
aneurysm;
heavy metal poisoning;
hematomas post-stroke, post-traumatic.

Characteristic clinical picture

If the vagus nerve is damaged, then the symptoms of the disorder will depend on the location of the lesion, its depth and degree:

voice changes: so if suddenly a hoarseness appears in your voice, you should think about it, because this can be a symptom of a malfunction of the vagus, inflammation of which can lead to difficulty in pronunciation and even a noticeable change in voice;
swallowing functions in case of disruption of the nerve will also be impaired, a person feels difficulty in swallowing not only during meals, but also swallowing liquids and even saliva, then the situation may be complicated by bouts of vomiting and suffocation;
problems with the digestive system: a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract manifests itself in digestive disorders, constipation, etc .;
complications in the work of the heart: you should be wary if there are symptoms such as dizziness, pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, arrhythmia, then the symptoms may be complicated by urinary incontinence and deafness;
from the nervous system: throbbing intense headache, discomfort, pain and noise in the ear; lethargy of the body; irritability; short temper over trifles; apathy.

Establishing diagnosis

If you have the above symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help.

First of all, at the appointment, the doctor will pay attention to the sound of the voice. If it is lowered, the ligaments may not be able to close close enough. Also, clarity, sound and timbre can become symptoms that indicate the presence of problems with the vagus nerve.

It is important to note that the patient will not be able to cough on purpose if there is a problem.

If the nerve is damaged, weakening of various vagal reflexes will be observed, for example, the pharyngeal and palatine reflexes will not be fully manifested. The doctor may give a glass of water to assess the possibility of swallowing: if it is difficult, the pathology is present.

After the examination, a number of studies are carried out:

laryngoscopy: with the help of a study, the state of the vocal cords is determined;
x-ray of the skull, chest.

Package of measures

The most striking manifestations of problems in the work of the vagus nerve are the following diseases:

Meniere's disease: as a result, there are problems with the peripheral part of the central nervous system and the brain, while the patient feels dizzy, hearing loss;
migraine: episodic attacks of severe headache;
Raynaud's disease: the nature of the patient is characterized by increased irascibility, the upper, lower limbs and some parts of the face turn pale, while becoming cold, all this happens as a result of a disorder of the nervous system as a whole.

Treatment of disorders in the area of the vagus nerve and concomitant diseases is most often carried out with medication and usually consists in prescribing such drugs:

hormonal: Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone;
antihistamines;
vitamin complex: special attention to group B;
anticholinesterase drugs, which help to suppress the activity of the enzyme, the effect of which is an impulse of excitation that enters the nervous system, is widely used in medical practice Prozerin, Neuromidin.

To improve the effect of drug treatment should be supplemented with physiotherapy. Treatment with diadynamic currents has proven itself well. Currents directed to the site of pain localization relieve pain syndromes, muscle inflammation, are used in migraine therapy, and stimulate muscles.

In cases where the patient's condition causes concern among doctors, plasmapheresis or electrical stimulation may be relevant. Thus, at the cellular level, blood is purified by means of special devices.

Folk remedies

At home, you can also perform a set of therapeutic measures.

Therapeutic baths

A mixture of herbs is prepared for taking a bath: pine buds, yarrow, oregano, calamus root. Each herb needs 5 large spoons.

All this is poured with 10 liters of boiling water and aged for about 6 hours. After that, the infusion is poured into a bath, the water temperature in which is not higher than 33 degrees Celsius. Now you can take a bath, lying in which you need 15 minutes. For maximum effect, the body must be completely relaxed.

Another option will help in the treatment of the entire nervous system in general and the vagus nerve in particular. To do this, you need to take half a glass of sage herb and the same amount of valerian root.

The raw material is poured with 8 liters of boiling water and aged for 3-4 hours. After that, the infusion is poured into a bath of water at a comfortable temperature. The procedure takes minutes. The most effective remedy for migraines.

Nerve Strengtheners

A specially prepared balm made from tinctures of thyme, yarrow, hop cones, peppermint, motherwort, blackberry leaves will help strengthen and restore nerves.

All components are taken in 100 milliliters. After that, 150 milliliters of crushed cyanosis rhizomes are added. The ingredients are mixed and taken internally, one large spoonful every morning for three months.

Honey is used for various disorders of the nervous system. Its use is also relevant in the treatment of vagus. To do this, mix honey and beet juice in equal proportions. After that, you can use two large spoons of the product after meals.

The vagal nerve is very important for the entire central nervous system and the human body as a whole, given its functions. Accordingly, ignoring the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with nerve pathologies can lead to serious consequences, even death.

You can not completely trust folk remedies. They may be optional, but by no means essential.

How to prevent vagus disorder

In order to protect the vagus nerve from diseases, it is necessary:

eat as many vegetables and fruits as possible;
reduce the consumption of fatty, salty, smoked, spicy foods;
play sports (light);
take a contrast shower in the morning and evening;
monitor your nervous system;
at the slightest manifestation of symptoms of diseases, seek the help of a qualified specialist.

This section was created to take care of those who need a qualified specialist, without disturbing the usual rhythm of their own lives.

Doctor! There are some symptoms, especially ... the constant pain behind the ear worries, swallowing is disturbed, as if a sore throat, but the medicines for it do not help, at night, the throat just closes, it is hard to swallow and breathe. When the head is tilted, the pain intensifies. It's impossible to sleep... it's hard to find a position, tilt and raise the head... I used to practice yoga, now I'm afraid.... it hurts my neck. I did an MRI of the cervical region, an ultrasound of the vessels ... Doctors say osteochondrosis. But, I have polysigmentary osteochondrosis, already 30 years old. So my neck didn’t hurt, next to my ear .. Sometimes my head is spinning ... it’s difficult to cross the road ... No medicines remove this pain. Yes, and allergic to all ketanols and stuff. I am covered with spots from them .... What should I do? Where to apply?

What is the vagus nerve and where is it located

The vagus nerve (vagus nerve) is a complex branched nerve complex, which is the tenth pair of cranial nerves. The vagus nerve passes through the base of the skull into the neck, and from there through the chest into the abdominal cavity. It serves to transport brain signals to different parts of the body, so damage to it can cause various symptoms.

Functions of the vagal nerve

Having figured out where this nerve is located in a person, one should understand its functions. This nerve is formed from motor, sensitive and secretory fibers, which determines its functions.

In a normal state, the vagus nerve provides the following functions:

As it becomes clear, damage to this nerve can cause a number of different symptoms. If for some reason he completely ceases to fulfill his function, only one outcome is possible - death, since the human heart will simply stop.

Symptoms of the disease

When the vagus nerve is damaged, the symptoms and treatment largely depend on which area is damaged. Diseases of the vagus nerve are accompanied by the development of a number of unrelated symptoms from:

brain;
neck muscles;
thoracic;
gastrointestinal tract;
heart and blood vessels;
vegetative system.

The most common symptom is a severe headache and pain in the middle ear, which is a consequence of a violation of the nerve located in the skull.

The vagus passes through the neck, and if this area is damaged, swallowing dysfunction develops, up to complete paralysis, which can cause respiratory failure and death from suffocation. Damage to this area is often accompanied by a change in voice.

The lesion can be located in the thoracic region, then symptoms of pneumonia develop, pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, inability to cough.

On the side of the gastrointestinal tract, indigestion, the manifestation of diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting are possible.

The most pronounced are the symptoms of disruption of the cardiovascular system - pain in the heart, a decrease in the frequency of heart contractions.

When the vagus nerve is irritated, the autonomic system reacts with a decrease or increase in tone. With a reduced tone, there is an increasing irritability, restlessness, fussiness. A person becomes quick-tempered, reacts aggressively to stimuli. Increased tone is manifested by apathy, drowsiness, decreased response to stimuli.

pinched nerve

When this nerve is pinched, the area in the skull reacts with sudden migraines. This is a condition in which there is a strong pain syndrome localized in one part of the head.

When pinched, angioedema or neurasthenic syndrome develops. The lesion may be accompanied by Meniere's syndrome, the characteristic symptoms of which are dizziness and hearing loss.

Due to a violation of the peripheral nervous system, circulatory disorders in the lower extremities are possible. A characteristic feature of this condition is pallor of the skin.

nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is used in the complex treatment of epileptic seizures in patients. Stimulation of the vagus nerve is carried out by implanting a device that generates impulses. During an epileptic attack, there is a chaotic sending of impulses by the brain. Stimulation of the vagus nerve allows you to get rid of convulsive seizures due to exposure to an electric current.

Vagus nerve stimulation helps to improve the patient's condition, however, it is accompanied by a number of risks that can develop if implantation is performed incorrectly.

Causes of diseases

For the development of any disease, causes and provoking factors are necessary. Diseases in which the vagus nerve can suffer are as follows:

diabetes;
severe chronic diseases;
meningitis;
multiple sclerosis, stroke, aneurysm;
tumor neoplasm in the brain;
body intoxication.

In diabetes, there is a violation of the absorption of glucose. If the sugar level is greatly elevated for a long time, the process of weakening the vascular walls begins. This causes a violation of blood circulation and the development of stagnant processes, as a result of which the nervous system and the vagus nerve may suffer.

Severe chronic diseases that entail nerve damage include:

In chronic sinusitis, there is a high probability that the infection will spread through the bloodstream throughout the body and, consequently, the development of an inflammatory process in the structure of the nerve.

Alcoholism often leads to the development of neuralgia. In most cases, the vagus nerve is affected. The disease can develop due to intoxication of the body with heavy metals or chemicals.

Also, damage to this nerve often occurs due to an injury resulting from a sharp deviation of the neck back, for example, during an accident or during extreme sports.

Diagnostics

If one of the above symptoms appears, you should immediately go to a consultation with a neurologist. The diagnosis is made after the analysis of complaints and examination of the patient. Diagnostics includes the following examinations:

brain MRI;
chest x-ray;
examination with a laryngoscope.

The neurologist may refer the patient to an otolaryngologist for a comprehensive examination for chronic diseases.

Traditional Treatments

After the diagnosis is made, the doctor prescribes drug therapy. Usually, when the vagus nerve is affected, treatment includes hormonal drugs for a quick effect. Also, the patient is shown taking antihistamine drugs to relieve swelling of the affected nerve. Be sure to take care of strengthening the entire nervous system, for this, B vitamins and medicines with magnesium are used.

After removing the main symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a course of physiotherapy. Usually, electric current methods are used to help restore the normal function of the affected nerve and improve local metabolic processes.

Folk methods of treatment

Traditional medicine knows how to treat various pathologies. However, the effectiveness of such treatment remains a controversial issue. There are methods to restore the function of the affected vagus, however, it should be remembered that alternative methods should not replace traditional medical treatment. Alternative treatment can be used in addition to therapeutic methods and only after consulting with your doctor.

Treatment with medicinal herbs will slightly improve the patient's condition, but it will not be able to completely get rid of the disease, so such methods can be used at your own peril and risk.

Thyme helps to get rid of nervous tension, it is recommended to drink 50 ml daily. To prepare a decoction, boil a large spoonful of dried flowers in 50 ml of water for ten minutes.
Another mild sedative is a mixture of mint and lemon balm. To prepare a decoction, 10 g of a dry mixture of herbs is poured into 300 ml of boiling water and infused until completely cooled. The decoction should be taken daily, one glass.
For treatment, hot baths with medicinal herbs are also used, which help relieve muscle hypertonicity. To prepare a healing bath, you need to mix 20 g of calamus, oregano, pine buds and yarrow and pour five liters of boiling water. The infusion should stand for at least five hours, and then it is filtered and poured into a bath of water at a comfortable temperature. The time of taking such a bath is 20 minutes, the frequency is daily.
Another healing bath is to mix mint, calamus, lavender flowers and prepare a bath.
You can also use valerian root and sage to prepare healing baths.

It should be understood that alternative methods of treatment can only relieve symptoms for a short time and improve psycho-emotional well-being. It is advisable to use such methods for sleep problems, since soothing medicinal herbs have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system and help you fall asleep quickly.

Only drug therapy will help to completely cure the disease, but healing does not occur in one day. Comprehensive treatment lasts a long time, sometimes it can take a month to fully restore the function of the vagus.

Prevention

The vagus performs very important functions, therefore, if it is damaged, life-threatening symptoms may develop. To avoid this, you should adhere to the following rules:

balanced diet;
lack of bad habits;
lack of stress;
taking vitamins for prevention;
maintaining blood vessels and muscles in good shape.

A balanced diet implies a maximum of healthy foods, fruits and vegetables, and a minimum of convenience foods and street food. Smoking and alcohol abuse are the main enemies of healthy nerves, these habits should be abandoned without regret.

Daily routine, proper sleep, physical activity and walks in the fresh air will help ensure the absence of stress. To keep your body in good shape, neurologists recommend a daily contrast shower.

If it was not possible to avoid the development of the disease, it is important not to delay the visit to the doctor, because only timely treatment will help to avoid complications.

The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only, does not claim to be reference and medical accuracy, and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. Consult with your physician.

NERVUS VAGUS (nervus vagus) - X pair of cranial nerves.

Anatomy

B. n. is the longest cranial nerve, innervates the organs of the head, neck, chest and abdominal cavities (hence the name - wandering). B.'s trunk n. originates from the medulla oblongata behind the olive with 10-15 roots, merging into a common trunk, which exits the cranial cavity through the jugular foramen (foramen jugulare). In the area of the jugular opening B. n. thickens due to the upper node (ganglion superius), under the Crimea at a distance of 1-1.5 cm lies the second node - the lower one (ganglion inferius); both nodes are sensitive. Going down to the neck, B. n. passes first between the internal jugular vein (v. jugularis interna) and the internal carotid artery (a. carotis interna), and then between the same vein and the common carotid artery (a. carotis communis). These vessels and B. n. are surrounded by a common fascial sheath, making up the neurovascular bundle throughout the neck. From the neck B. n. through the upper opening of the chest (apertura thoracis superior) enters the chest cavity. At the same time, the right, B. n. is in front of the subclavian artery (a. subclavia), and the left one is on the anterior surface of the aortic arch (areus aortae). In the chest cavity, both B. n. located first on the posterior surface of the root of the lung, and then approach the esophagus, forming on it the esophageal plexus (plexus esophageus). Left B. n, following down, gradually shifts to the anterior surface of the esophagus, and the right - to the back. B.'s trunks arise from the esophageal plexus. (trunci vagales), which through the esophageal opening (hiatus esophageus) of the diaphragm enter the abdominal cavity together with the esophagus, where they pass along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the stomach, giving branches to the abdominal organs and the celiac plexus (plexus celiacus).

B. n. has a very complex intrastem architectonics (see color drawing for the article Autonomic nervous system), which gave reason to consider it not as an ordinary nerve trunk, but as a polyfunctional system consisting not only of conductors (fleshy and non-fleshy fibers) of various nature (afferent - bulbar and spinal; efferent somatic and autonomic - parasympathetic and sympathetic), but also nerve cells - receptor, effector and, possibly, associative neurons (B. A. Dolgo-Saburov and his school).

Afferent bulbar conductors arise from pseudo-unipolar neurons localized in the upper and lower nodes (ganglion superius et inferius). The processes of these cells are divided into neurites and dendrites. Neurites as a part of B.'s roots of n. sent to the medulla oblongata, where they enter into synaptic connections with multipolar neurons that form its sensitive nucleus of the solitary pathway (nucleus tractus solitarii). Dendrites of afferent neurons of the upper and lower nodes B. n. as part of its branches, they reach the organs where they form receptors.

Efferent somatic fibers are neurites of multipolar neurons that lie in the thickness of the reticular formation (formatio reticularis) of the brain stem and form the motor double nucleus of B. n. (nucleus ambiguus). Efferent vegetative (parasympathetic) conductors B. n. serve as neurites of multipolar neurons of the autonomic posterior nucleus (nucleus dorsalis n. vagi), which lies in the depths of the triangle B. n. (trigonum n. vagi) at the bottom of the IV ventricle. The spinal afferent and vegetative (sympathetic) conductors that join B. N are the dendrites of the pseudo-unipolar neurons of the thoracic spinal nodes and the neurites of the multipolar nerve cells of the lateral intermediate substance (substantia intermedia lateralis) lying in the lateral horns of the spinal cord.

As part of B. n. also contains ascending (recurrent) fibers, which are neurites of nerve cells located, most likely, in the ganglia of the abdominal cavity. The paths and connections of ascending conductors have not yet been studied. In addition to receptor neurons, the trunks and branches of B. N. contain multipolar nerve cells, which in their vast majority are peripheral neurons in the parasympathetic innervation system.

In accordance with the extensive area of distribution of branches B. n. divisions: head, neck, thoracic and abdominal.

In the head section from the lower node B. n. (ganglion inferius) sensitive branches depart: ramus meningeus, which goes to the dura mater in the region of the posterior cranial fossa, and the ear branch (ramus auricularis), which innervates the posterior wall of the external auditory canal and part of the skin of the auricle.

In the cervical region from B. n. depart: pharyngeal branches (rami pharyngei), which, together with the glossopharyngeal nerve (n. glossopharyngeus) and sympathetic fibers, form the pharyngeal plexus and innervate the constrictors of the pharynx, the muscles of the palatine arches, soft palate, and the mucous membrane of the pharynx; upper laryngeal nerve (n. laryngeus superior), which, together with fibers coming from the upper cervical node (ganglion cervicale superius) and pharyngeal plexus (plexus pharyngeus), innervates the cricothyroid muscle of the larynx (m. cricothyroideus) and the mucous membrane of the epiglottis, root tongue, pear-shaped pocket of the pharynx and mucous membrane of the larynx above the glottis; upper cervical cardiac branches (rami cardiaci cervicales superiores), entering the cardiac plexus.

In the thoracic region B. n. in the region of the subclavian artery (on the right) and the aortic arch (on the left), it gives off recurrent laryngeal nerves (pp. laryngei recurrentes), innervating part of the muscles of the larynx, its mucous membrane below the vocal cords, trachea, esophagus, thyroid and thymus glands, lymph, mediastinal nodes of the corresponding parties; tracheal and bronchial branches (rami tracheales et bronchiales), which together with the branches of the sympathetic trunk form the pulmonary plexus (plexus pulmonalis) at the roots of the lungs, the branches to-rogo carry motor and sensory conductors for innervation of the smooth muscles and glands of the trachea and bronchi; esophageal plexus (plexus esophageus), innervating the wall of the esophagus.

In the abdominal region from the anterior and posterior trunks of B. n. depart: anterior and posterior gastric branches (rami gastrici anteriores et posteriores) - to the muscles, glands and gastric mucosa; hepatic branches (rami hepatici) - to the liver; celiac branches (rami cell aci), which, together with sympathetic conductors along the left gastric artery (a. gastrica sinistra) reach the celiac plexus, and then along the vascular plexuses - the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, small and large intestines up to the sigmoid and colon.

Physiology

Functionally B.n. has an inhibitory effect on the heart (see Cardiac arrhythmias, Bradycardia). B.'s afferent fibers of N, coming from the aortic arch, heart and lungs, are involved in the regulation of blood pressure (see) and respiration (see). Parasympathetic fibers regulate the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchi (see), stomach, intestines (see), increase the secretion of the glands of the stomach (see), pancreas (see) and liver (see).

Pathology

Pathology B. n. manifested by symptoms of dysfunction of sensory, motor and parasympathetic fibers and nuclei. With the defeat of the motor nuclei B. n. develops a disorder of swallowing, voice formation, articulation and breathing (see Bulbar paralysis). B. n. may be affected by primary tumors (neurinomas, neurofibromas, ganglioneuromas, myxomas, chemodectomas). Secondary lesions - from pressure, tension, germination of nerve fibers by tumors of the posterior cranial fossa, mainly of the cerebellopontine angle, larynx and vocal cords, with tuberculosis of the bronchial glands, larynx, with peritonsillar abscess. B.'s damages to n are observed. infectious, viral, intoxication, traumatic and vascular origin.

Defeats B. n. are manifested by symptoms of nerve irritation or phenomena of loss of its function. The symptoms of nerve irritation most often include pain, often taking on a paroxysmal character, with localization in the zone of innervation by sensitive peripheral fibers of the nerve (the skin of the auricle, external auditory canal, the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, larynx). Due to the presence of numerous peripheral anastomoses of the nerves and the adjacent localization of the nuclei of B. n., glossopharyngeal, intermediate and trigeminal nerves in the medulla oblongata, B.'s lesion of n. often manifested by a symptom complex, including symptoms of neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal, trigeminal nerves, the phenomenon of damage to the geniculate node of the facial nerve (see Neuralgia).

Differential diagnostic sign of B.'s lesion n. is the so-called trigger ("trigger") zone of pain, located most often in the pharynx, tonsil and ear. Neuralgia B. n. due to anastomoses of the latter with the glossopharyngeal nerve, it can be combined with the so-called. sinus-carotid epilepsy. The latter is manifested by temporary cardiac arrest, the disappearance of the pulse, impaired consciousness, fainting and convulsions at the height of an attack of pain or in case of mechanical irritation of the carotid sinus zone (see Reflex zones).

Primary tumors B. n. occur predominantly on the neck in the form of a fusiform tumor-like formation. Tumors are usually benign and may be malignant. Among the first clinical symptoms of tumors B. n. there is a cough up to suffocation, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing; pains are localized in the area of the tumor with irradiation to the head, arm, jaw on the side of the process (due to compression of nearby vessels and nerves). The carotid arteries are usually displaced anteriorly or medially from the tumor. The duration of tumor growth is several years. The size of the tumor sometimes reaches large sizes. The nature of the tumor is specified by puncture and biopsy.

With lesions of B.n. therapy of the main process (infection, intoxication, tumor, consequences of trauma, injury) is necessary. In neuroinfections, antibiotics are used in large doses, which are combined with sulfonamides, hormonal drugs, agents that increase the reactivity of the body, and desensitizing drugs. For pain - analgesics.

With neuralgia B. n. perform a surgical intervention on the intracranial nerve roots - dissect the upper two roots of B. n. The indication for intracranial radicotomy (see) is a severe pain syndrome with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. However, the method of choice in the treatment of neuralgia B. n. is a tractotomy of the descending tract. This operation immediately turns off the complex pain symptom complex in neuralgia of the trigeminal, intermediate, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves (see Tractotomy).

At B.'s tumors of n. surgical intervention is necessary.

Rehabilitation treatment consists in the use of anticholinesterase drugs (prozerin, galantamine). Prozerin - 0.5 each; 1.0; 1.5 ml of a 0.05% solution sequentially for the first three days, and then 2 ml daily, for a course of treatment - from 20 to 30 injections. At the same time, galantamine should be used in 1 ml of a 0.25% solution (for a course of 20-30 injections). If high doses of anticholinesterase drugs are ineffective, low fractional subthreshold doses may be used. In order to stimulate compensation mechanisms, normalize metabolism, increase the body's immunological reactivity, glutamic acid, ATP, and vasodilating drugs are treated.

Drug therapy is combined with physiotherapy methods, in particular electrotherapy (impact on the affected nerve and muscles).

Bibliography: Dolgo-Saburov B.A., Sergeev Yu.P. and Pervushin V. Yu. Functional morphology of the vagus nerve, Trudy nauch. conf. by prob. fiziol, and patol, digestion, p. 225, Ivanovo, 1960; Lurie A. S. and Ponomarev M. A. Tumors of the vagus nerve on the neck, Vestn, hir., t. 102, No. 5, p. 23, 1969; Pervushin V. Yu. To the morphology of the vagus nerves (on the spinal conductors as part of the chords of the vagus nerves), Arkh. anat., gistol, and embryol., v. 36, JsTfl 4, p. 28, 1959, bibliogr.; Polenov A. L. and Bondarchuk A. V. Surgery of the autonomic nervous system, L., 1947; With st about l I r about in V. I. and P ukavishnikova V. G. Maligni-zirovannaya schwannoma of the vagus nerve, Vopr, oncol., t. 16, No. 5, p. 99, 1970; C1 and M. Das Nervensystem des Menschen, Lpz., 1959; White J. C. a. S w e e t W. H. Pain, its mechanisms and neurosurgical control, Springfield, 1955.

E. P. Kononova, Ya. L. Karaganov; V. S. Mikhailovsky (pathology).

The vagus nerve is one of twelve nerves found in the human cranium. Its function is very important - it provides information to the brain about what is happening in the entire nervous system, and is responsible for controlling reflex function. The vagus nerve has a rather complex structure, including motor, secretory and sensory fibers. It is known that the fibers conduct impulses that enter the cerebral cortex, awakening all known functions. In particular, the fibers of the vagus nerve can slow down the heartbeat, constrict the bronchi, relax the sphincters and increase intestinal motility, increase the secretion of the glands, and much more. It is not surprising that damage to the vagus nerve can lead to numerous diseases of the body.

Why is the vagus nerve damaged in the human body?

There can be a huge number of reasons for its damage. Let's look at the most common ones. One of them is diabetes. Damage to blood vessels due to high blood sugar can lead to inflammation and even damage to the vagus nerve. By the way, other chronic diseases, such as HIV or Parkinson's disease, can also have a detrimental effect on such an important fiber. The vagus nerve suffers very strongly in severe accidents and injuries. Surgical intervention, when, under unforeseen circumstances, the patient's pressure on the vagus nerve increases sharply, can also lead to serious damage to it. Addictions, such as alcoholism, are another possible cause (alcoholic neuropathy).

What are the symptoms that there is damage to the vagus nerve?

Symptoms manifest themselves in different ways. It is quite natural that the more severe the injury, the more difficult the consequences can be. Most often, voice problems initially appear, such as hoarseness, difficulty in pronunciation, and even a noticeable change in voice. Dysphagia is the next stage, when problems with swallowing saliva and food begin. This is due to the fact that the vagus nerve is responsible for the tongue movement reflex, and damage to it determines movement dysfunction. Violation of the same reflex function can lead to an unreasonable gag reflex, which is fraught with suffocation. This is followed by digestive problems (indigestion, constipation, etc.), heart problems (arrhythmia, chest pain, respiratory failure and dizziness), urinary incontinence, and deafness.

How to treat the vagus nerve

Treatment is best done under the supervision of a specialist. Its significance is very high, since the problems that arise when the vagus nerve is damaged are extremely severe, and improper treatment or its absence can be fatal. The fact is that therapy in this case rarely helps, so the main methods of treatment are surgical intervention, electrical stimulation. With proper diagnosis, timely intervention and compliance with all treatment conditions, the restoration of the vagus nerve is just a matter of time.

The vagus nerve (vagus nerve) is a complex branched nerve complex, which is the tenth pair. The vagus nerve passes through the base of the skull into the neck, and from there through the chest into the abdominal cavity. It serves to transport brain signals to different parts of the body, so damage to it can cause various symptoms.

Having figured out where this nerve is located in a person, one should understand its functions. This nerve is formed from motor, sensitive and secretory fibers, which determines its functions.

In a normal state, the vagus nerve provides the following functions:

swallowing process;
gag reflexes;
work of the stomach;
coughing;
breath;
contraction of the heart.

Symptoms of the disease

brain;
neck muscles;
thoracic;
gastrointestinal tract;
heart and blood vessels;
vegetative system.

The most common symptom is a severe headache and pain in the middle ear, which is a consequence of a violation of the nerve located in the skull.

The lesion can be located in the thoracic region, then symptoms of pneumonia develop, pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, inability to cough.

On the side of the gastrointestinal tract, indigestion, the manifestation of diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting are possible.

The most pronounced are the symptoms of disruption of the cardiovascular system - pain in the heart, a decrease in the frequency of heart contractions.

pinched nerve

When this nerve is pinched, the area in the skull reacts with sudden migraines. This is a condition in which there is a strong pain syndrome localized in one part of the head.

When pinched, angioedema or neurasthenic syndrome develops. The lesion may be accompanied by Meniere's syndrome, the characteristic symptoms of which are dizziness and hearing loss.

Due to a violation of the peripheral nervous system, circulatory disorders in the lower extremities are possible. A characteristic feature of this condition is pallor of the skin.

nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation helps to improve the patient's condition, however, it is accompanied by a number of risks that can develop if implantation is performed incorrectly.

Causes of diseases

For the development of any disease, causes and provoking factors are necessary. Diseases in which the vagus nerve can suffer are as follows:

severe chronic diseases;
meningitis;
multiple sclerosis, stroke, aneurysm;
tumor neoplasm in the brain;
body intoxication.

Severe chronic diseases that entail nerve damage include:

tuberculosis;
AIDS;
sinusitis;

Alcoholism often leads to the development of neuralgia. In most cases, the vagus nerve is affected. The disease can develop due to intoxication of the body with heavy metals or chemicals.

Also, damage to this nerve often occurs due to an injury resulting from a sharp deviation of the neck back, for example, during an accident or during extreme sports.

Diagnostics

brain MRI;
chest x-ray;
examination with a laryngoscope.

The neurologist may refer the patient to an otolaryngologist for a comprehensive examination for chronic diseases.

Traditional Treatments

Folk methods of treatment

Treatment with medicinal herbs will slightly improve the patient's condition, but it will not be able to completely get rid of the disease, so such methods can be used at your own peril and risk.

Thyme helps to get rid of nervous tension, it is recommended to drink 50 ml daily. To prepare a decoction, boil a large spoonful of dried flowers in 50 ml of water for ten minutes.
Another mild sedative is a mixture of mint and lemon balm. To prepare a decoction, 10 g of a dry mixture of herbs is poured into 300 ml of boiling water and infused until completely cooled. The decoction should be taken daily, one glass.
For treatment, hot baths with medicinal herbs are also used, which help relieve muscle hypertonicity. To prepare a healing bath, you need to mix 20 g of calamus, oregano, pine buds and yarrow and pour five liters of boiling water. The infusion should stand for at least five hours, and then it is filtered and poured into a bath of water at a comfortable temperature. The time of taking such a bath is 20 minutes, the frequency is daily.
Another healing bath is to mix mint, calamus, lavender flowers and prepare a bath.
You can also use valerian root and sage to prepare healing baths.

Prevention

The vagus performs very important functions, therefore, if it is damaged, life-threatening symptoms may develop. To avoid this, you should adhere to the following rules:

balanced diet;
lack of bad habits;
lack of stress;
taking vitamins for prevention;
maintaining blood vessels and muscles in good shape.

Daily routine, proper sleep, physical activity and walks in the fresh air will help ensure the absence of stress. To keep your body in good shape, neurologists recommend a daily contrast shower.

If it was not possible to avoid the development of the disease, it is important not to delay the visit to the doctor, because only timely treatment will help to avoid complications.

What is the vagus nerve? The first question that this phrase causes for many is why is it still wandering?

The human brain is connected to 12 pairs of nerves, which in turn are called cranial nerves. The 1st, 2nd and 8th pairs of nerves are responsible for distinguishing between light, smell and sound. The 3rd, 4th and 6th pair are responsible for controlling the movements of the eyeball and pupil. The 5th and 7th pair are responsible for controlling facial expressions, but the 12th pair is responsible for the language. The 9th, 10th and 11th pair of nerves are responsible for the stomach, heart and lungs, as well as other internal organs (and so on to the inside of the mouth). The tenth pair of nerves is called the "vagus nerve", it is connected, like all other pairs of nerves, with the entire cranial parasympathetic system, and has an effect on almost all parasympathetic. In addition, by transmitting signals through them, it excites almost every internal human organ. Its name comes from the Latin word "vagus" - wandering, because it seems to wander throughout the human body. Its branches are located in the head, cervical, thoracic and abdominal regions of the human body.

The vagus nerve influences many human reflex actions such as swallowing, coughing, vomiting, filling and emptying the stomach. It also regulates many processes: heartbeat and breathing. The vagus nerve in the human body forms. According to its functions, this nerve is called mixed, since it includes both motor fibers and sensory and autonomic fibers.

The vagus nerve can be prone to the following diseases:

angioneurosis is a disease in which there is a violation of the function of blood vessels as a result of innervation. This series includes the following diseases: Raynaud's disease, migraine, Meniere's disease, erythromelalgia;
neurasthenia is a neurosis that is characterized by increased excitability with irritability, exhaustion of the body, weakness and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Migraine is a paroxysmal headache that has an independent

Meniere's disease is a lesion of the segmental apparatus of the brain and peripheral parts of a person, manifested by bouts of dizziness and simultaneous hearing loss.

Raynaud's disease is a lesion of the segmental apparatus of the brain and the peripheral parts of the nervous autonomic system of a person, the signs of this disease are blanching or cyanosis of the fingers, as well as parts of the face during cooling, emotional and other irritations, the symmetry of the lesions.

How to keep the vagus nerve healthy? The treatment of his pathologies is difficult, remember this. Diseases in this area are difficult to treat and seriously complicate life. It is necessary to consult a doctor in time for any warning signs and unpleasant symptoms, follow the instructions and just be less nervous.

In severe cases, electrical stimulation is often prescribed, sometimes even surgical methods are used. The previously used method of "alcoholization" (the introduction of ethyl alcohol in the form of injections) is becoming less common. Unfortunately, treatment with folk remedies is ineffective or gives little result. Therefore, do not get carried away with it - you can lose precious time that you can spend on a full examination and treatment. Modern diagnostic methods with great accuracy allow you to identify the disease and help in the appointment of effective procedures. Do not neglect the advice of a doctor - vagus nerve diseases are dangerous for their complications, sometimes very serious.
Now, knowing a little more about the vagus nerve, you can always take care of its "health"!