Besides the hypotheses that there is a genetic link to Long COVID which is presently being studied, there is also a possibility of links between blood type A and B and even being a type A personality; familial predisposition to having autoimmune diseases is also high on the list of poor outcomes; the most important one (in my view) is the likelihood that even after testing negative, the virus is hanging around in the tissues ... creating havoc. *(Here I would normally add links, but at present none are difinitive, but all have at least studies completed you can easily find )
This is an overview of the Vagus nerve.
There is a plethora of info online that may lead to facts that are more pertinent to YOU. (And also to expensive Quack “remedies,” so be cautious)
July 2023 Forbes reiterated that a study from 2022 found that many of those with long COVID had a thickening of the Vagus nerve, and resulting damage to organs related to it. https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2023/07/07/new-insights-into-long-covid-point-to-damage-to-the-vagus-nerve/
Feb 2022 the Spanish study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 mediated vagus nerve dysfunction (VND) could be responsible for long COVID. https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-696452
May 2022 Impaired Vagal Activity in Long-COVID-19 Patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35632776/
Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production and attenuates disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4961187/
Video on Vagus nerve Good thing I came back to check my old sources from my old files! 3 were non existent and one was this guy... this was was a chiropractor ... AHHHH!! Srtill looking for a decent video overview... and most have iffy info... and many are chiropractors who want to do NECK adjustments AHHHHH!!
Six Mindblowing Facts About The Vagus Nerve https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/six-amazing-facts-about-the-vagus-nerve/ A lot of the RWQJs may be suffering from this... (tongue only slightly planted in cheek)
The vagus nerve is a critical component of the parasympathetic nervous system, the soothing counterpart of the fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system
How Stress Impacts The Microbiome And Gut Health
When activated, the parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart rate and increases blood flow to the intestines, hence why it’s also known as the “rest and digest” response. Think of it as an off-switch for the body’s stress response.
What Connects to The Vagus Nerve?
It connects the brain with your ear, throat, neck, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and gallbladder.
What are the vagal nerve branches?
Your left and right vagal nerves join to form the vagal trunk. They connect at your esophageal hiatus, the opening where your esophagus passes into your abdominal cavity (belly). The vagal trunk includes anterior (front) and posterior (back) gastric nerves that go to your abdomen.
Your vagal nerve branches are:
Inferior ganglion branch that serves nerves and muscles to your throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx).
Superior ganglion branch that serves nerves to your spine and ear.
Vagus nerve branch that serves nerves to your heart, lungs and esophagus (tube connecting your mouth and stomach).
What Does The Vagus Nerve Do?
What is the Vagus Nerve? The vagus nerve, also known as the vagal nerves, are the main nerves of your parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as your digestion, heart rate and immune system. These functions are involuntary, meaning you can't consciously control them.
Vagus nerve and microbe interaction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9656367/
Diabetes, arthritis and vagal tone: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/12/1632
Vagus nerve natural stimulation
1 Deep diaphragmatic breathing… preferably in nature.
2 Chanting, gargling and singing
3 sleeping on your right side
4 light massages all around the ear (Cup the ear with your fingers and then splay them out and back in to massage the whole area until you feel less anvious or need to stop. Next, gently use long massage strokes under the chin line where your carotid artery is, to behind the ears
5 neck stretches, yoga and exercise… preferably in nature.
6 Cold showers, baths, cold compresses or just a cold cloth on the face or neck
7 LAUGHTER!
BENEFITS that many people feel after stimulation
1 Helps the brain be more alert and calm.
2 Turns off stress.
3 Improves memory.
4 Turns down inflammatory response.
5 Brings down blood pressure.
6 Promotes better sleep.
7 Keeps diabetes under control.
8 Raises immunity.
9 Relieves depression, anxiety and raises levels of endorphins.
10 Slow down and improve digestion.
11 May help reduce Long COVID symptoms.
Breathing
Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6189422/
I clicked on his breathing tips for a hangover by mistake and my left eye started to vibrate and be painful halfway through and I got extremely anxious... so don't make my mistake. This is the one some people find helps (But the box one below helps myself and others more. I have trouble breathing with damaged lungs from previous virus, bacterial and even a fungal infection)
WHB Wimhof breathing: https://askoshbetter.com/2018/08/28/how-to-get-started-with-wim-hof-breathing/
How to video:
Box breathing:
Vagus nerve stimulation and other benefits… energy in the morning. Do at a window in the light after waking. Pay more attention to the left ear and do this for 3 - 5 minutes total.
How Can You Keep Your Vagus Nerve Healthy?
Keeping your vagus nerve healthy involves doing many of the things you might do to keep yourself healthy in general. Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes several times a week. Manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Additionally, practicing mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help to keep your vagus nerve healthy by calming your nervous system.
Experts believe there is a strong connection between the gut biome and a healthy vagus nerve because the bacteria in our guts can produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine, so they suggest taking prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut biome healthy.
Singing may also stimulate your vagus nerve, keeping it healthy as vibrations stimulate the parts of the vagus nerve in the back of your throat. If you don't like to sing, gargling has the same effect. https://www.webmd.com/brain/vagus-nerve-what-to-know#1-4
My hint: I use a Der Der. What is that? The inside cardboard from your wrapping paper roll. Saying “Der” into it will cause neck and throat vibrations to stimulate the Vegas nerve. That’s whole lot cheaper than buying an electronic one. *Oooohm does the same, and meditation is also supposed to help many, but playing der der with the kids is much more fun. Make sure they decorate and put names on them if you plan to do this again.
Opinion: Long COVID is debilitating to me and 65 million other people. Where is the urgency to treat it? https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/opinion-long-covid-is-debilitating-to-me-and-65-million-other-people-where-is-the-urgency-to-treat-it/ar-AA1eA4hQ
Interesting information about nerve damage.
Compression of the vagus nerve is also why a heavily pregnant woman can't lie flat on her back. It feels awful, like suffocation.
Thanks, VOICUL.
Honestly, reading about Long Covid makes me depressed, so I haven't been keeping up.
I have not had Covid, at least documented, but have been sub-par after a month-long respiratory illness last November during which I repeatedly tested negative for everything. ("Enjoyed" a fainting episode, clearly vaso-vagal, 6 weeks ago.)
This stuff is interesting and worth further reading.