The vagus nerve plays a key role in nearly every aspect of your overall health and wellness, from neurotransmitter management and gut-brain axis communication to inflammation prevention, hormonal balance, and more.

Vagus nerve dysfunction can have varying and widespread manifestations. By understanding what the vagus nerve is, what it does, and how we can improve its function, we’re able to make small changes that influence our overall health for the better.

What is the Vagus Nerve?

Aptly called the “Wanderer” due to its branching nature, the vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of all cranial nerves in the human body. It runs from the brain stem through the neck and thoracic region, all the way down to the abdomen.

The vagus nerve connects many of the body’s organ systems, including the vocal cords, heart, stomach, and lungs. It carries information about the state of these organs back to your brain, which then regulates essential body functions based on that information.

What Does the Vagus Nerve Do?

The vagus nerve is a two-way information highway between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract. It transmits a complex array of messages between the brain, digestive system, and organs.

The vagus nerve is an integral component of the gut-brain axis (GBA), which is controlled by millions of neurons that run throughout the nervous system. When you’re nervous, and your stomach feels queasy, or your mouth waters at the scent of your favorite food, these are signals that your gut and brain are communicating with each other along the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve provides the central nervous system with vital information about the function of your internal organs, particularly the lungs, heart, liver, and gut. It’s responsible for the regulation of numerous body functions, including heart rate, inflammatory response, respiration, and digestion.

The vagus nerve is also intricately involved with the cognitive and emotional centers of the brain, so it plays a major role in stress management, brain function, and mood. The vagus nerve also controls sensory functions like the gag reflex and taste sensations.

The Vagus Nerve and the Parasympathetic Nervous System

The vagus nerve is one of the primary drivers of the parasympathetic nervous system. It regulates the body’s rest and digest functions, working as a counterbalance to the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the body’s fight or flight response.

In other words, the vagus nerve is responsible for activating the sense of calm you feel when you hug a loved one, as well as that intuitive gut feeling that someone or something isn’t quite right.

How Does Vagal Nerve Function Affect Our Health?

Science has yet to discover all of the ways vagus nerve function impacts our health, but we do know that it has a major influence on the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and our rest and digest response.

Here’s a look at three key ways the vagus nerve impacts our bodies and overall health.

• Digestion

When you digest food, the vagus nerve recognizes changes in the microbiome of the gut and sends this information to the brain. When your vagus nerve is functioning optimally, the brain responds with the correct digestive response right away.

For example, when you eat inflammatory foods, such as dairy products or gluten, the vagus nerve alerts the brain. The brain then alerts the immune system to initiate an inflammatory response. It’s a bit like contacting the fire department to put out a fire.

When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning properly, this signal may be weak, and the brain might not receive important information. If the vagus nerve isn’t alerting the brain about the inflammation properly, the inflammation can become chronic and lead to various health issues.

• Stress and Mental Health

The vagus nerve plays a role in mental health, as well. The vagus nerve counterbalances the stress response, which triggers the release of cortisol. When cortisol levels are elevated, the vagus nerve tells the brain to release feel-good hormones like serotonin and endorphins to balance the stress response.

• Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

In addition to sending signals to the gut, the vagus nerve also sends signals to the brain to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. As mentioned above, when you’re under stress, your brain triggers the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. Elevated cortisol levels raise your heart rate and blood pressure.

The vagus nerve recognizes this increase and sends a vagal nerve tone to the brain, signaling it to calm down. The brain then triggers the release of serotonin, which lowers blood pressure and heart rate.

What is Vagus Nerve Dysfunction?

The primary jobs of the vagus nerve are regulating blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and mood. But it also helps to control your speech, urine output, saliva production, muscle movement, and more. When the vagus nerve doesn’t regulate these bodily functions the way it should, it’s called vagus nerve dysfunction.

Sometimes, the vagus nerve overreacts and becomes overstimulated, potentially due to stress, hormonal imbalance, or inflammation. This type of vagus nerve dysfunction can cause a sudden drop in heart rate, known as vasovagal syncope, which can lead to symptoms like fainting, fatigue, blurred vision, sweating, or ringing in the ears.

What Causes Dysfunction of the Vagus Nerve?

So, what can go wrong with the vagus nerve? It turns out, vagus nerve dysfunction can stem from a variety of physiological and psychological causes. For example, vagus nerve function may be impaired by chronic stress, emotional stress, unresolved trauma, or PTSD.

Your brain processes any situation that exceeds your ability to cope as trauma. So, childhood events that you could easily cope with as an adult may have been perceived as trauma at the time, impacting your vagus nerve function and related aspects of your health well into adulthood.

Physical damage to the vagus nerve caused by surgery or disease can also result in a dysfunctional vagus nerve. Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as exposure to mold and toxins, may also be linked to vagus nerve dysfunction.

What are the Symptoms of a Dysfunctional Vagus Nerve?

When the vagus nerve becomes dysregulated or weak, you will struggle to tap into your rest and digest mode. This can lead to feelings of agitation and anxiety, but the signs and symptoms of a dysfunctional vagus nerve are varied. They can include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Aggression
• Struggle to form relationships
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Indecision
• Chronic inflammation
• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
• Dizziness or fainting
• Frequent flight, fright, or freeze reactions

Conditions Associated with Vagal Nerve Dysfunction

Because the vagus nerve regulates your hormones, fertility, digestion, kidney function, blood sugar, hunger, and more, it can be an underlying factor in many physical conditions, as well.

• Fast or slow heart rate
• High or low blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease and IBS
• Digestive issues like heartburn, nausea, and constipation
• Poor immune function
• Chronic inflammation
• Autoimmune conditions
• Chronic fatigue
• Gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Unexplained weight gain
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Testing Vagus Nerve Function

In our practice, we can assess your vagus by functions of the autonomic nervous system. Did you know that an elevated resting heart rate (technically a resting heart rate above 60 beats per minute,) is already a hint that your parasympathetic system is underactive? We also understand digestive imbalances, to at least be, in part, informed by vagus nerve dysfunction.

However, diagnosing vagus nerve dysfunction is only half of the battle. We offer a variety of comprehensive lab tests and assessments to get to the root cause of issues that are preventing your vagus nerve from functioning at its best. This often includes autonomic response testing, as well as laboratory tests for nutrient deficiencies, toxins, underlying infections, and more.

How to Heal the Vagus Nerve

At Rahav Wellness, our mission is to help you identify the underlying issues causing your vagus nerve dysfunction and collaborate on strategies to heal the vagus nerve naturally. Here are some of the strategies we may suggest to our patients:

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Devices that emit short electrical pulses, called vagus nerve stimulators, can be used to stimulate the vagus nerve and improve vagal tone. In our practice, we can actually stimulate the vagus with the strategic use of neural therapy.
• Nutrition Therapy: Vitamin and nutrient repletion through diet, supplements, and tailored IV infusions can improve vagus nerve function by strengthening the myelin sheath that protects and insulates the nerve fibers. Zinc is also thought to support the vagus.
• Nutraceutical and Botanical Supplements: Certain nutraceutical and botanical supplements are beneficial for healing the vagus nerve. For example, bitters, or bitter-tasting herbs, can stimulate the vagus nerve by sending stimuli to the brain. Adaptogens that support a balanced stress response may also be beneficial, in addition to herbs that promote healthy heart function.
• Vibration Therapy: Breathwork, humming, gargling, chanting, and singing can all stimulate vagus nerve activity by creating vibration. Stimulation of the vagus nerve through HUSO sound therapy can also help improve vagus nerve tone and balance the autonomic nervous system.
• Manipulation: Nerves can benefit from stimulation, much like joints and ligaments. Chiropractic manipulation may improve heart rate variability by boosting vagus nerve function, while massage has been shown to stimulate vagal nerve function and reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy.
• Posture Correction: Poor posture can compress the vagus nerve and disrupt signaling between the brain and the body. In particular, the hunched-over posture that comes with sitting in front of a computer all day has become a common problem. A foam roller or SD Posture Correction Device can release pressure on the vagus nerve by helping to improve posture.
• Cold Exposure: Cold exposure through cryotherapy, cold showers, or swimming in cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve. It may boost immune health, digestion, energy levels, mental focus, and emotional well-being.

Some easy strategies you can use at home to strengthen your vagus nerve include connecting with nature, diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and exercising regularly. Simple everyday acts like having an attitude of gratitude, laughing, and smiling will also improve vagal nerve tone and benefit your mental health.

Functional Medicine for Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

Vagus nerve dysfunction is often the result of hidden imbalances in the body. Our functional medicine services are designed to discover those imbalances and address them through a holistic approach that promotes balance now and well into the future.

As part of our collaborative approach to optimal health, we’ll get a clear picture of what your body needs to restore vagus nerve function. Then, we’ll provide natural strategies and lifestyle support to encourage your body’s ability to heal and thrive. Reach out to our office to discover what a personalized journey to better health might look like for you.

The post Vagus Nerve Dysfunction, Symptoms, and Healing appeared first on Rahav Wellness.

IBS can be tough to diagnose, leading some patients to feel unheard. It may not be obvious with normal blood work or a typical physical examination. While there can be physical abnormalities, they’re usually not obvious unless you know what you’re looking for. 

Getting to the root cause of IBS and fatigue requires self-awareness and working with a doctor who’s willing to dig into the subtle signs and nuances of “dis-ease” that are causing your symptoms.

Here’s how functional medicine looks at IBS and fatigue, why they’re connected, and what we can do to help you manage or even reverse the symptoms of both conditions.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder of the digestive system that occurs when there’s a disruption in communication between the gut and brain. 

IBS appears to be more common in people who are less than 50 years old, and women are more than twice as likely to develop the condition than men. Overall, IBS affects about 10-15% of the world’s population.

You should also know that IBS and Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) are not the same thing. IBD is destruction and severe inflammation of the bowel, which can cause sores and a narrowing of the intestines. 

It is possible to have both conditions at the same time, especially if the cause of your IBS symptoms goes untreated.

The Connection Between Your Microbiome and IBS 

In functional medicine, we recognize that patients with IBS have an imbalance in the microbiome. But what is the microbiome and how does it become imbalanced?

The human microbiome is a community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live primarily in the gut. Many of these microorganisms are beneficial and have important jobs to do. But some can actually be quite harmful if they’re not kept under control. 

Imbalances in the microbiome can be caused by poor intestinal motility, repeated use of antibiotics, poor diet, stress, and other factors. This imbalance can lead to conditions like small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) and leaky gut. These imbalances are also responsible for triggering classic IBS symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, gas, abdominal pain, and constipation.

The Vagus Nerve Plays a Key Role in IBS

We also know that there’s a disconnection in communication between the gut and the brain with IBS. And that’s where the vagus nerve comes in. It’s the longest cranial nerve in your body, beginning in your neck and passing through your thorax all the way to your abdomen. 

The vagus nerve connects your brain to the heart, lungs, liver, and pancreas. Its job is to regulate the function of the autonomic nervous system… or the part of your nervous system that functions automatically. Things like your heartbeat, breathing, blinking, liver and kidney function, urination, and more.

The vagus nerve also stimulates certain key digestive functions, including the churning of food in the stomach, producing stomach acid, and producing bile in the liver and gallbladder. 

But the vagus nerve can only function properly when your body is in a parasympathetic state, known as a state of rest and digest. When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning optimally, often due to high stress levels, we see low levels of stomach acid and low enzyme production.

This leads to poor digestion, heartburn, SIBO, and IBS symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. If left unaddressed, dysfunction in the vagus nerve can lead to conditions like poor intestinal motility, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, and GERD.

Does IBS Cause Fatigue?

According to a systematic study published by The World Journal of Gastroenterology, fatigue is a common symptom of IBS. We also see the connection between IBS and fatigue in our patients every day. One reason is that IBS is often accompanied by nutrient deficiencies that can leave you feeling wrung out and just generally unwell. 

For example, the bad bacteria in your gut love vitamin B12, which is an essential nutrient for energy and metabolism. When the microbiome is out of balance, as it often is with IBS, the bad bacteria in your gut are consuming your vitamin B12 before your body has a chance to use it, leaving you feeling chronically tired.

Another example is vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin connected to energy and immunity. Bile is an enzyme produced by your liver and stored in your gallbladder and used to absorb fats. Unfortunately, bad bacteria also like to eat bile, which leaves you unable to absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D, E, and A.

And let’s not forget that stress is a major contributing factor in IBS. Chronic stress can also leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, so there’s a connection there as well. 

Other Signs and Symptoms of IBS

Other common signs and frequent symptoms of IBS are:

• Lower abdominal pain and cramping due to excessive gut muscle contractions to produce a bowel movement.
• Weight loss and nutrient deficiencies are common in patients suffering from extreme diarrhea.
• Excessive gas, bloating, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by an overload of bad bacteria in the gut.
• Diarrhea and constipation are caused by abnormal gut contractions due to disrupted communication between the gut and brain.
• Sensitivity to FODMAP foods, a type of carbohydrate that causes gut inflammation and irritation. High FODMAP foods include nuts, legumes, avocados, onions, and garlic.
• Joint pain due to excessive inflammation throughout the body.
• Psychological distress caused by the physical symptoms of IBS. Incidentally, feeling stressed also worsens the symptoms.
• Brain fog, confusion, poor judgment, and difficulty concentrating are most likely related to stress, fatigue, and other physical symptoms.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, is characterized by unexplained, persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. People with CFS aren’t just tired all the time, they generally feel unwell after even mild physical activity. They often experience muscle and joint pain, along with headaches, sore throat, and tenderness in the lymph nodes. Insomnia and poor memory are also common symptoms of CFS.

Many diseases and conditions, such as fibromyalgia, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBD can have similar symptoms to CFS. While there’s no specific medical test or procedure to confirm a diagnosis of CFS, our team uses your symptoms and specialized diagnostic testing to confirm the underlying cause and recommend treatment options.

How are IBS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Connected?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often coexist. A study published by the journal Microbiome supports our belief that the root cause of both conditions is an imbalance in the microbiome.

These conditions also commonly occur in people who have recently had a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. This suggests that both conditions are also related to an overactive immune system response, which leads to gut inflammation and fatigue. 

We’ve also noticed that patients with IBS and fatigue have often undergone recent trauma, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. Clearly, stress and anxiety are a common connection.

And finally, both conditions often involve hormonal imbalances as well, particularly an imbalance in serotonin levels. This is often related to poor gut health since many hormones are produced in the gut.

In many patients with IBS and chronic fatigue, stress, poor gut health, and hormonal imbalances are all intertwined. 

How We Diagnose IBS in Functional Medicine

The first thing we’re going to do when you come into our office is spend some time getting to know you. What are your stress levels like? How’s your diet? How do you feel after you eat? Are you getting enough sleep and exercise? These things can all play a role in helping us diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms.

We’ll look for the less obvious signs of nutrient deficiencies, like dry, scaly skin which could indicate low levels of B12 and iron. We also perform specialized diagnostic testing on the spot so we can get you feeling better right away. This may include blood tests to check nutrient levels and organ function, as well as stool tests to assess the health of your microbiome. A breath test can tell us if the levels of methane or hydrogen in your breath are high, which can also indicate a high level of bacteria in the gut.

We’re looking for those subtle patterns that can tell us the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Treating IBS and Fatigue with Functional Medicine

Conventional doctors will typically treat IBS and fatigue with drugs to control the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and anti-diarrheal medications. 

While we may include some of these medications in a functional medicine treatment plan to address each patient’s specific condition, we will also seek to address the underlying cause of these conditions to minimize or even reverse the symptoms and provide long-term relief. 

Our treatment plan may include supplementing with hydrochloric acid, a digestive enzyme used to break down protein. We may also recommend antimicrobial herbs or specialized antibiotics to correct imbalances in the gut. Strategies for repopulating your microbiome with healthy bacteria via supplementation with probiotics and butyrate and/or the use of probiotic foods as tolerated may also be recommended.

Other treatment options may include:

• Colon Hydrotherapy: Colon hydrotherapy removes toxins from the gut, strengthens the immune system, regulates hormones, and brings the microbiome back into balance. This therapy can also help to relieve diarrhea, constipation, headaches, chronic pain, and many of the other symptoms associated with IBS and fatigue.
• Neural Therapy: Neural therapy can help to improve overall gut health, reduce abdominal pain and cramping, relieve diarrhea, reduce muscle and joint pain, and relieve lymph congestion. Neural therapy is also beneficial for patients suffering from brain fog and depression, which often go hand in hand with IBS and fatigue.
• IV Nutrition Therapy: IV nutrition therapy is also a viable option for managing IBS symptoms and fatigue. Not only does IV therapy provide a boost of much-needed nutrition and fluids for energy, but it also helps to detoxify the body, reduce pain and inflammation, and overcome nutrient deficiencies that may be related to IBS.

What You Can Do To Manage IBS and Fatigue At Home

There are also some things that you can do at home to manage IBS and fatigue.

• Try a Low FODMAP Diet: Following a low-FODMAP diet is incredibly helpful for reducing IBS symptoms. Basically, it’s an elimination diet that involves removing high FODMAP foods from the diet and then reintroducing them slowly to determine which ones are contributing to your symptoms.

High FODMAP foods are foods that contain certain short-chain fatty acids that are difficult to digest, leading to diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bloating. These include things like wheat, dairy, beans, and certain fruits and vegetables.

Our team can walk you through the entire process of getting started with a Low-FODMAP diet. 

• Reduce Stress and Support Vagus Nerve Function: Dysfunctions in the vagus nerve are often caused by stress, fatigue, anxiety, and overwhelm. Of course, you can’t always avoid the things that cause you stress, but you can try to find healthy ways to manage it.

Deep breathing, cold showers, meditation, and yoga are effective ways to manage stress and stimulate the vagus nerve. Exercise is also important for stimulating digestion and reducing stress, which also supports vagus nerve function.

Taking time for rest and self-care and the activities you enjoy can also make a huge difference. Your eating habits can also play a role in activating the vagus nerve. Try to eat slowly and mindfully and chew your food carefully without rushing.

Wrapping Things Up

The right dietary changes and supplements can have a major impact on fatigue, IBS, and SIBO, but every patient is different. Determining the underlying cause of your symptoms with specialized diagnostic testing and treatment with a combination of nutrition and stress management is often the best approach. Schedule an appointment with our team to find the best treatment options for you.

The post IBS and Fatigue – It’s Not All in Your Head appeared first on Rahav Wellness.

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care Techniques

• Remember to be kind to yourself.
• Schedule a little “me time” each day to just relax – even five minutes will do a lot of good.
• Try some deep-breathing exercises or soak in a warm Epsom salts bath if you have a little more time.

Exercise during the holidays:

• Choose ways to integrate exercise into your day.
• Don’t over commit.  Unless you are already involved in an exercise program, this is probably not the best time to start a serious one. 30 mins/day is enough to rev up your metabolism and can even be broken up throughout the day. Aim for at least 4x/week.
• Make exercise a priority.   Schedule exercise into your day like an appointment.

Plan your food in advance:

• Plan meals and snacks at least a day in advance to ensure healthy options.
• Keep your refrigerator stocked with lean protein-rich foods and foods high in fiber so you are always prepared.
• Keep a food journal and commit to writing down all foods and quantities at the time you eat them – “When You Bite It – Write It!”   Research shows that people who keep food journals eat 15% less food than those who don’t.
• Balance your blood sugar throughout the day by eating three meals and two snacks.  Eating this way will keep your energy up and make you less vulnerable to making bad food choices.
• Practice portion control by learning what a serving size looks like. For example, a serving size of any grain is ½ cup – most people eat many more times the portion size of foods like pasta, cereal, rice, etc. This can really put weight on.

Holiday Party Strategies

• Never go to the party hungry. Have a mini meal before you go and you will have much less of a desire to eat unwanted calories. One of the best combinations is a hard-boiled egg, 8 oz of water and a small apple. You will be satisfied without being full. Now you will have lots more time to socialize!
• Indulge in a small portion of one decadent treat.  Make sure to chew slowly and savor every bite of your guilt-free splurge.
• Cleanse your palate. As soon as you are done eating, stick a strong breath mint in your mouth. This completely cleanses your palate and you will no longer have the urge to eat just for the sake of eating.
• Always, always, always have one glass of water, mineral water or seltzer for every glass of alcohol you consume. This will cut down on the amount of alcohol you consume and counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
• To counteract the effects of increased alcohol and sugar, be sure to include magnesium-rich foods in your holiday season diet. Magnesium helps the body control the production of cellular energy and promotes heart and nervous system function. When you consume extra alcohol and simple sugars, your need for magnesium increases considerably. Healthy food sources of magnesium include: whole-grains, lean cuts of meat, dark green leafy veggies, some root veggies and almonds. A good supplemental source of magnesium is magnesium glycinate chelate. Many people report that it helps normalize their body’s response to alcohol and sugar during the holidays.
• Keep the focus on family and friends and remember the reason for the gatherings: a time to celebrate with those you love.

Written by Jacqui Justice, M.S., C.N.S. Clinical Nutritionist

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