The "Vagus" Nerve

So what do we know about the "vagus" nerve???

Well . . . for those of you that haven't read my previous Health tip on this amazing nerve . . . let's refresh . . .

The "vagus" nerve is the 10th of 12 cranial nerves . . . also known as cranial nerve X for the Roman numeral 10.

Now . . . this nerve is the longest nerve in the body and originates in the "brainstem" and extends down below the "abdomen".

It monitors and receives information about the functioning of the heart, lungs, all other internal organs . . . and "yes" . . . even our "CELLS".

And due to it being in charge of information that flows to and from the brain . . . it's called the "vagal pathway" . . . which is a major "mind-body" highway.

So simply said . . . what the brain sees and feels in emotion . . . ultimately determines how the body will react through the "vagus" nerve.

You see . . . this nerve "stimulates" certain muscles in the heart that help to "slow" heart rate. And if this nerve "miss-fires" and "overreacts" . . . it can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure causing "fainting".

Another good example would be . . . the "vagus" nerve manages the complex process in the digestive tract, including signaling the muscles in the stomach to contract and push food into the small intestine . . .

But . . . if this nerve is "not" functioning correctly . . . we have difficulties digesting our food. Or we digest too fast and we end up with diarrhea

Okay . . . so let's take a moment and discover exactly what the "vagus" nerve can do if working "CORRECTLY" . . .

Brain - the "vagus" nerve controls anxiety and mood

Eyes - it activates tear production and if not working correctly . . . we have dry eye

Ears - it activates sound stimulation and if not functioning correctly this can cause "vertigo", "hearing loss" and "tinnitus".

Nose - it helps to regulate parts of the nasal cavity such as the sinuses, the back of the throat (pharynx) and the larynx . . . and if not functioning correctly . . . sinus congestion and sinusitis are the result

Mouth and Tongue - it controls the ability to taste, saliva production, coughing and swallowing

Throat and Esophagus - it controls muscle movement to push food down to the stomach

Heart - it stabilizes heart rate and blood pressure

Lungs - when the lungs expand during normal shallow breathing . . . this stimulates the "vagus" nerve . . . it then sends a message to the brain to constrict the bronchi . . . making breathing more difficult . . . therefore, making you exhale

Spleen - it helps to reduce "inflammation" in the body

Pancreas - it regulates blood sugar balance and digestive "enzymes"

Stomach - it helps to manage the complex process in the digestive tract by signaling the muscles to contract and push food into the small intestine

Gut - it increases stomach acidity and "enzyme production"

Liver - it controls bile release and "detoxification" of the body

Gallbladder - it controls bile release to breakdown "fat"

Kidneys - it promotes general functions including water balance, glucose control and sodium excretion . . . which helps to control blood pressure

Bladder - it control "voiding" urine . . . and if not working properly . . . you will be a pee "leaker" . . . you know when you cough, laugh or even on a normal daily basis.

Intestines - it regulates the contraction of smooth muscles and glandular secretion.

And finally . . . Sex Organs - it controls fertility and sexual pleasure including orgasms

So we can clearly see . . . just how important it is to have a healthy "vagus" nerve that can be stimulated for optimal health.

And tomorrow, we'll continue . . .

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