The Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is one of the longest nerves that orginate in the brain. The vagus nerve regulates the fight or flight response with regards to heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. detoxification, glucose metabolism, inflammation and immune response. Have we struck a chord here regarding chronic coughing?
Probably, since the vagus nerve is one of the twelve cranial nerves. The vagus nerve recieves impulses and provides visceral nerve impulses to the chest, abdomen, throat and ear and also to the glands. The vagus nerve provides the motor and nerve impulses to the muscles of the tongue and voice box as well.
Damage to the vagus nerve that produces a chronic cough can be due to laryngeal sensory neuropathy or vagal neuropathy. Neuropathy is an abnormaility or disease that affects the cranial or spinal nerves. When a person becomes ill by pneumonia or other respiratory infections, diabetes or even surgery the vagus nerve can become altered or damaged. It therefore makes the nerve along the voice box extremly sensitive so any stimulation of it will trigger it causing an individual to constantly cough.
Supplements such as Kelp, hops and lobelia can be used to attempt to repair a damaged nervous system. Another herb knows as Marshmallow can suppress a constant cough. When that chronic cough plucks a nerve with the rest of your family share and share alike with your supplements- because they will need them. There is nothing more annyoying than a constant cough!