What Are the Common Signs of Vagus Nerve Problems?

One problem with the vagus nerve is called gastroparesis, and common symptoms include nausea, heartburn, bloating and vomiting, according to WebMD. Other signs of vagus nerve problems are feeling full soon after eating, weight loss, poor appetite and poor control of blood sugar.

There are also a number of complications from vagus nerve problems, including food that ferments in the stomach, explains WebMD. If this occurs, bacteria may begin to grow. Another complication of a vagus nerve problem is that food may harden in the stomach into a hard lump called a bezoar. A bezoar may block the food from getting into the small intestine. Those who have diabetes and suffer from vagus nerve problems may experience difficulty in controlling their blood sugar.

Causes of a vagus nerve problem include diabetes that is uncontrolled and surgical injury to the vagus nerve during abdominal procedures, states WebMD. Some medications, such as narcotics and antidepressants, may cause issues with the vagus nerve. Those with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease may suffer from vagus nerve issues. There are also rare conditions that are associated with causing issues with the vagus nerve, such as scleroderma, a disorder affecting the skin, muscles and internal organs, and amyloidosis, where protein deposits are found within tissues and internal organs.

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