I am curious as to whether or not the vagus nerve may be related to a problem that I have with discomfort and breathing in the left side of my chest. I have had a chronic problem with this for several years after an acute episode of bronchitis (at age 31). For months I had extreme difficulty breathing and left sided chest pain and discomfort as well as fever, rapid heart rate and exhaustion and also hyperventilation. I also had difficulty speaking for an extended period of time (my vocal cords seemed to peter out). I have had extensive pulmonary and cardiac workup, as well as psychiatric evaluation. No One has been able to come up with a diagnosis -- chronic fatigue syndrome has been suggested, and I do have a slight mitral valve prolapse. Anxiety disorder has been ruled out.
I continue to have discomfort in my left lung area and difficulty breathing which affects me on a daily basis. Previous to this illness, I was very physically active (rock climbing and skiing, etc.) and am now lucky to go out for short walks. I am currently 37 years old.
I have seen references here and there to vagus nerve dysfunction and breathing problems, and more recently with respect to problems with the the vocal cords. Curiously, one physician noted a deviation in my uvula and mentioned a potential link to the vagus nerve.
I would appreciate any input you might have.
Reply: ----------------------------
The vagus nerve has branches in the neck that innervate the vocal cords. The nerve supplies innervation for both sensation and for motor function of the larynx. A lesion or injury to the vagus nerve above the collar bones could result in vocal cord paralysis. In addition there is a branch of the vagus nerve which extends into the chest and also innervates the vocal cord. Therefore vocal cord paralysis can be seen if this branch is injured during chest surgery or in certain chest condtions. Such vocal cord problems can be diagnosed in an office examination by an otolaryngologist. However, injuries or lesions of the vagus nerve itself below the collar bones would not cause vocal cord problems. Below the vocal cords the vagus nerve does supply nerve branches to the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal systems.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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