Here’s Everything You Need to Know about Vagus Nerve Stimulators

 


Vagus nerve stimulation is a medical procedure used to deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve for the management and treatment of various types of diseases such as epilepsy and depression. Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain that affects more than 50 million people worldwide. Moreover, it is estimated that around 1.2% of people in the U.S. have active epilepsy, as well as 500,000 people in the U.K. have epilepsy. That's about one in every 100 people. Moreover, the effect of COVID-19 and quarantine isolation on the course of epilepsy is still unclear. To manage epilepsy during the pandemic, three Italian Epilepsy Centers set up a telephone consultation to collect data on seizure course.

Vagus nerve stimulation works by delivering mild electrical impulses to the central nervous system through the vagus nerve. 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. Vagus nerve stimulation is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that has proven to be effective for many types of patients. Vagus nerve stimulators are classified into two types such as implantable and external devices. Implantable devices are surgically implanted inside the body, whereas External devices are less-invasive, non-surgical vagus nerve stimulators.

Vagus nerve stimulation is often prescribed to individuals who have experienced traumatic experiences such as strokes, brain damage, head injuries, or feeling depressed. 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 your 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.

Comments