Vagus nerve stimulators or vagus nerve stimulation is a medical procedure used to deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve for the management and treatment of various diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric motility disorder, exercise-induced bronchospasm, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchoconstriction, migraine, asthma, depression, epilepsy, and cluster headache. Moreover, it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of epilepsy and depression. It works by delivering mild electrical impulses to the central nervous system through the vagus nerve. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that has proven to be effective for many types of patients.
The vagus nerve also called the brain's communication wire, connects the brain to all of the organs, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body. Currently, two types of vagus nerve stimulators are available in the market, such as implantable vagus nerve stimulator and external vagus nerve stimulator. Implantable devices are surgically implanted inside the body, whereas the external devices are less-invasive, non-surgical vagus nerve stimulators. These devices are often prescribed to individuals who have experienced traumatic experiences such as strokes, brain damage, head injuries, or feeling depressed.
Vagus nerve stimulators send steady electrical pulses to vagus nerve with the aim of reducing or eliminating the pain that it generates. It is commonly used to treat severe spasticity, certain kinds of cerebral palsy and idiopathic neuropathy, as well as idiopathic leg weakness. It is very effective in cases where nothing else has worked, however, there are still some cons. People suffering from seizure disorders are good candidates for vagus nerve stimulation. A few cases of idiopathic epilepsy have also been reported in people who have undergone this procedure. The vagus nerve controls the movement of the stomach muscles, and any dysfunction in this area can lead to serious problems.
These conditions happen when the brain's signals are transmitted in the wrong way. A seizure disorder disrupts normal electrolyte balance and sends misbalancing signals to the brain. When the brain gets the wrong signals, it may send signals to various parts of the body incorrectly, causing serious diseases like epilepsy and diabetes to occur. Vagus nerve stimulators can also be used in the treatment of certain forms of depression. Certain types of major depression have been shown to respond well to the stimulation, even if it's been several years since the patient had last used antidepressant medication.
Patients with treatment-resistant depression are especially good candidates. Because the vagus nerve controls bowel movements, epilepsy patients who are also epileptic may benefit from this procedure. For the same reason, people who have undergone vagus nerve stimulation for some other type of chronic or severe medical condition may benefit as well. Patients with cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia may benefit as well. It is important to note that the generator used in vagus nerve stimulation surgery is not actually implants. It is actually a portable generator that stimulates the vagus nerves with sound waves.
However, the treatment may cause adverse effects if not performed correctly and it is important to seek professional assistance for any problems that may occur during or after a procedure. The adverse effects of this stimulation include difficulty in swallowing, headache, nausea, a tingling sensation, shortness of breath, cough, voice alteration and hoarseness, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest. Moreover, this treatment is relatively safe and considered to be very effective for many individuals suffering from a variety of conditions.
