Viva Ma Vagus! Pt 1

I recently had the opportunity to attend a presentation on Vagus Nerve Stimulation treating Anxiety disorders and I must say it was very revealing to see how my autonomic nervous system works. Hold on with those big words now Melanie, what the hell is autonomic???

Let’s first back up the bus and explain how this Vagus Nerve fits in to my body.

In my head I have 12 cranial nerves (actually 24, a pair so they cover both sides of me). Some of these nerves bring information from the sense organs to the brain; other cranial nerves control muscles; other cranial nerves are connected to glands or internal organs such as the heart and lungs. Each nerve in my central nervous system has their defined function.

This central nervous of mine  includes two main subsystems:

• • • • • Central nervous system: This includes my  brain (my retina and optic nerve in my eyes are considered part of my brain, structure-wise) and spinal cord.

        • Peripheral nervous system: This includes every part of my nervous system that isn’t my brain and spinal cord.

My peripheral nervous system also has two subsystems:

Somatic nervous system: This includes muscles I can control, plus all the nerves throughout my body that carry information from my senses. That sensory information includes sound, smell, taste and touch. Vision doesn’t fall under this because the parts of my eyes that manage my sight are part of my brain.

Autonomic nervous system: This is the part of my nervous system that connects my brain to most of my internal organs.

My autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves throughout my body that control unconscious processes. These are things that happen without me thinking about them, such as breathing and my heart beating. My autonomic nervous system is always active, even when I’m asleep, and it’s key to my continued survival.

THIS autonomic nerve is called the VAGUS NERVE. It is the largest cranial nerve in my body.

My autonomic nervous system breaks down into three divisions, each with its own job:

• • • • • Sympathetic nervous system: This system activates body processes that help me in times of need, especially times of stress or danger. This system is responsible for my body’s “fight-or-flight” response.

        • Parasympathetic nervous system: This part of my autonomic nervous system does the opposite of my sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the “rest-and-digest” body processes.

        • Enteric nervous system: This part of my autonomic nervous system manages how my body digests food.

This system IF kept in balance, keeps me healthy.

When I seen exactly what the Vagus Nerve was and it’s function, I totally could see how my health was affected in the past by me. I lived in fight or flight mode. I lived in fear. Stress was huge. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t know how to handle or react appropriately to life. I stuffed myself with foods that were not good for me and my health deteriorated. My blood pressure went through the roof, so did my weight.  My pancreas stopped working.  I am amazed I am still living today with what my body went through. Once on 170 units of insulin a day, once high blood pressure and cholesterol, now on no medications for any of it. None.  I had depression, wanted to kill myself and now, know a way out of that hole. Am I cured? are things perfect? Hell no! Life is a balancing act of things happening that can always cause chaos and upset. Finding what works to keep me in balance is a one day at a time for me.

In hearing that we have an Integrated Osteopath in Truro that specialized in Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) I wonder how my markers are with my Vagus Nerve. Yes, I have come along way, but is there more I can do for my health to remain healthy?

I learned that with a consult with an integrated Osteopath and a simple EKG, it can show how balanced/unbalanced the Sympathetic nervous system and the Parasympathetic nervous system are. That in itself would be a starter to know what can be done for ones health.

I know being proactive before shit happens is the best for my health long-term.

So how is your health? Are you suffering from any of he the following?

• • • • • Musculo-skeletal disorders (acute or chronic) with or without neurological radiating syndrome

        • Chronic body pain / fibromyalgia

        • Chronic fatigue syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis – ME/CFS)

        • Chronic headaches/migraines

        • Mental health issue (depression, general anxiety disorders, PTSD), possibly including sleep and memory troubles, brain fog

        • Autism spectral disorders

        • Parkinson disease

        • Multiple Sclerosis

        • Moderate to severe IBS

        • IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

        • Other auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

        • Diabetes II

        • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

        • Cardiac arrhythmias/hypertension

        • Vaso vagal syncope

        • Postural orthostatism tachycardia syndrome

        • Trying to recover from a stroke with or without neurologic disorder

        • Apraxia of speech

        • Abnormal lower limbs swelling

        • Post Covid-19 syndrome

        • Post Lyme disease syndrome

If you are suffering from any of the above, your Vagus Nerve can be miss-firing and it may need help. Why suffer? FIND OUT what YOU can do for your HEALTH. If you wait too long, the ability to recoup may be detrimental. Remember health is wealth.  Click the link above and see how the Legge Health Clinic can help you.

For me, keeping my Vagus nerve functioning as it should with no barriers will keep me healthy.

Viva Ma Vagus!!!

Stay tuned for part 2…..