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What Could Be Causing Vagus Nerve Through Either Massaging Applicable Areas Of The Ear?

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Posted on Tue, 10 Sep 2024
Question: When I stimulate the vagus nerve through either massaging applicable areas of the ear or through TVNS (transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation), I get a very nice feeling of relaxation while I’m doing the stimulation, but, I notice that, later in the day, I feel significantly more anxious. The end result, then, is that I have more anxiety if I stimulate the vagus nerve. I don’t believe that this is a case of relaxation-induced anxiety, but rather some dysfunction in my body. For example, if I take choline supplements, such as, phosphatidylcholine, I also get more anxious (among the symptoms are: increased sweating, increased worrying and burning sensation on the skin, in the lower back area). By the way, I had some exams performed by a functional doctor, and he found that I have low choline levels, but he is clueless in regards to why choline makes me more anxious, because it should actually make me feel more calm and relaxed. Considering that what I have is not relaxation-induced anxiety, my questions are:
1. Have you seen cases like this before?
2. What could be causing this?
3. Could this be related to a dysfunctional metabolism of choline or acetylcholine? If this is the case, in what part of the metabolic pathway could be the dysfunction?
4. Which medications, natural supplements and other treatments could ameliorate this condition?
NOTE: I wouldn’t want to take anticholigernics, since what I need is more choline and not less.
Thanks a lot.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pallavi.m (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Choline and vagus nerve stimulation decrease your anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,
Choline deficiency causes anxiety and choline supplements reduce the anxiety indeed. Your anxiety might be caused due to other factors like the following:
1)The following nutrients deficiency causes increased anxiety. They are :
a)magnesium
b)zinc
c)vitamin B 6
d)omega 3 fatty acids
e)choline
f)selenium
g)iron
h)vitamin D
i)Vitamins A,C,E
2)generalized anxiety disorder
3)social phobia and panic attacks.
Vagal nerve stimulation decreases agitation and calms down anxiety.There is preliminary evidence that vagus nerve stimulation is a promising add-on treatment for treatment-refractory depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and inflammatory bowel disease.
In my opinion, vagus nerve stimulation is calming down your anxiety immediately. That rebound anxiety you get after stimulation may be due to other causes as i mentioned above.
I haven't seen any case exactly like this but seen many anxiety cases and treated too.
I don't think there is dysfunctional metabolism of acetylcholine as there would be other symptoms too like gastrointestinal and cardiovascular and parasympathetic symptoms.
Please do try the following to reduce anxiety:
1)supplementation of above mentioned vitamins and minerals through diet and tab.neurobion forte daily once for 3 months.
2)You can use SSRIs like tab.escitalopram 10 mg once daily or tab.sertraline 25mg once daily.
3) cognitive behavioural therapy is important in reducing the anxiety. So consult a clinical psychologist for therapy.
4)daily physical exercise for atleast 30 min for 5 days a week.
5)Meditation
6)progressive muscle relaxation exercises
If your anxiety doesn't subside with the above treatment, please do consult a psychiatrist.
Hope i have answered your question. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Thank you. Take care.
Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pallavi.m (22 hours later)
Thanks Dr for your detailed answer. What you said makes sense to me, but I’d like to have additional clarification.

You mentioned that you don't think there is dysfunctional metabolism of acetylcholine as there would be other symptoms too. I don’t have any cardiovascular symptoms, but I always had hyperhidrosis and also gastrointestinal symptoms – heartburn since my childhood, but since at least 5 years ago, I’ve been also having IBS/SIBO methane, which didn’t respond at all to several different types of supposedly highly effective treatments. Could these two conditions (hyperhidrosis and IBS that doesn’t go away) be indications of dysfunction in the metabolism of acetylcholine/dysfunction in the nervous system? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pallavi.m (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
IBS and hyperhidrosis are due to dysfunction of autonomic nervous system.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir, thank you for choosing healthcare magic.

Generalized hyperhidrosis may be the consequence of autonomic dysregulation, or it may develop secondary to a metabolic disorder, febrile illness, or malignancy. In its localized form, hyperhidrosis may result from a disruption followed by abnormal regeneration of sympathetic nerves.

The following are causes of hyperhidrosis :
1)neurologic and neoplastic diseases
2)Metabolic disorders or processes (eg, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, gout, pheochromocytoma, menopause)
3)febrile illness
4) chronic alcoholism
5)various medications
6)hodgkin lymphoma
So the roots can be traced to dysfunction of autonomic nervous system or autonomic neuropathy.


Both hyperhidrosis and irritable bowel disease are due to dysregulation of autonomic nervous system,
Autonomic neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the nerves that control automatic body functions.
The nerve damage affects the messages sent between the brain and other organs and areas of the autonomic nervous system. These areas include the heart, blood vessels and sweat glands.


So, dysfunction of nerves leading to excess stimulation of the target area is the main cause of your symptoms.


Hope i have answered your question. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Thank you. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pallavi.m (21 hours later)
Thanks again for your detailed answer,

I don’t have any of the 6 causes that you listed for the hyperhidrosis, but assuming that the hyperhidrosis and the IBS are caused by a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, what could be done to ameliorate these conditions?

Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pallavi.m (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Treatment is the only way to ameliorate the symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir, thank you for choosing healthcare magic. Treatment of hyperhidrosis is as follows : 1)Topical agents for hyperhidrosis therapy include topical anticholinergics, boric acid, 2-5% tannic acid solutions, resorcinol, potassium permanganate, formaldehyde (which may cause sensitization ), glutaraldehyde, and methenamine.
2)All of these agents are limited by staining, contact sensitization, irritancy, or limited effectiveness.
3)glycopyrronium tosylate topical for primary axillary hyperhidrosis in adults and children aged 9 years or older.
4)Aldehydes are used to treat the palms and soles; they are not as effective in the axillae. Glutaraldehyde solution 2% is sold as Cidex. It is not as effective but less staining. The 20-50% solution can be diluted to 10% (more effective, especially for feet, but still staining occurs).
5)Because of the limitations of other agents, Drysol (20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate in absolute anhydrous ethyl alcohol) is more commonly used as the first-line topical agent.
6)Drysol should be applied nightly on dry skin with or without occlusion until a positive result is obtained, after which the intervals between applications may be lengthened. To minimize irritation, the remainder of the medication should be washed off when the patient awakes, and the area may be neutralized with the topical application of baking soda.
7)Axillary hyperhidrosis may be treated with aluminium chloride gel
8)Systemic agents used to treat hyperhidrosis include anticholinergic medications such as propantheline bromide, glycopyrrolate, oxybutynin, and benztropine .
9)In resistant cases, iontophoresis(passing of direct current through the skin) and botulinum injection can be used.
Treatment of IBS :
Treatment depends upon your symptoms.
Mild symptoms can often be controlled by managing stress and by making changes in your diet and lifestyle. Try to:

Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms
Eat high-fiber foods
Drink plenty of fluids
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
For moderate to severe cases,
Fiber supplements for constipation
Antidiarrhoel medication
Laxatives for constipation
SSRIs
TCAs
Anticholinergics
Drugs specific to IBS are
1)Alosetron (Lotronex).
2)Eluxadoline (Viberzi).
3)Rifaximin (Xifaxan).
4)Lubiprostone (Amitiza).
5)Linaclotide (Linzess).
These are the treatment modalities to ameliorate the symptoms. But most of the symptoms recur and again the same treatment is to be initiated.
Hope i have answered your question. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Thank you. Take care.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pallavi.m

Anesthesiologist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1845 Questions

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What Could Be Causing Vagus Nerve Through Either Massaging Applicable Areas Of The Ear?

Brief Answer: Choline and vagus nerve stimulation decrease your anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello sir, Choline deficiency causes anxiety and choline supplements reduce the anxiety indeed. Your anxiety might be caused due to other factors like the following: 1)The following nutrients deficiency causes increased anxiety. They are : a)magnesium b)zinc c)vitamin B 6 d)omega 3 fatty acids e)choline f)selenium g)iron h)vitamin D i)Vitamins A,C,E 2)generalized anxiety disorder 3)social phobia and panic attacks. Vagal nerve stimulation decreases agitation and calms down anxiety.There is preliminary evidence that vagus nerve stimulation is a promising add-on treatment for treatment-refractory depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and inflammatory bowel disease. In my opinion, vagus nerve stimulation is calming down your anxiety immediately. That rebound anxiety you get after stimulation may be due to other causes as i mentioned above. I haven't seen any case exactly like this but seen many anxiety cases and treated too. I don't think there is dysfunctional metabolism of acetylcholine as there would be other symptoms too like gastrointestinal and cardiovascular and parasympathetic symptoms. Please do try the following to reduce anxiety: 1)supplementation of above mentioned vitamins and minerals through diet and tab.neurobion forte daily once for 3 months. 2)You can use SSRIs like tab.escitalopram 10 mg once daily or tab.sertraline 25mg once daily. 3) cognitive behavioural therapy is important in reducing the anxiety. So consult a clinical psychologist for therapy. 4)daily physical exercise for atleast 30 min for 5 days a week. 5)Meditation 6)progressive muscle relaxation exercises If your anxiety doesn't subside with the above treatment, please do consult a psychiatrist. Hope i have answered your question. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Thank you. Take care. Thanks.