Common digestive conditions which indicate serious gastrointestinal disorder

Digestive issues (also known as gastrointestinal disorders) are one of the most common health conditions. Research by medical experts at AMRI Hospitals, one of the leading multi-speciality hospitals in Kolkata, shows that there are millions of people across the globe, who suffer from some form of digestive disorder. However, the conditions can range from mild to serious. There are a number of serious conditions, which indicate a need to consult the doctor. Listed below are some of the most common ones:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) 

Also known as acid reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is one of the most common digestive ills. It is a long-term condition characterized by backing up of stomach acid in your oesophagus. Symptoms include a feeling of burning pain in the middle of your chest or upper part of your abdomen, tooth erosion, nausea, etc. Various drugs like Prilosec, Zantac, H2 blockers Axid, Pepcid, proton pump inhibitors Aciphex, Tagamet, Nexium, Prevacid, and Protonix can be effective in keeping a check on acid levels. However, there are certain cases of GERD which need stronger treatments, including surgery.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 

A common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon), IBS is characterized by a few common signs and symptoms like abdominal pain, intolerance towards food, cramping, bloating and altered bowel habits. Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not has any major impact on the body. However, it does cause a lot of discomfort at times. Although the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not known, medical experts at AMRI Hospitals associate it with digestive issues and increased sensitivity of the gut. The hospital offers one of the best gastroenterology treatment in Kolkata.

Celiac Disease

A genetic autoimmune disorder, Celiac disease is basically caused due to sensitivity to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley). It damages the villi (small finger-like projects lining the small intestine), and has a major impact on absorption of nutrients from food. Experts at AMRI Hospital Kolkata state that more than 80% of people having celiac disease aren’t aware about it, or have been misdiagnosed with some other condition. Celiac disease also has a relation with other disorders like infertility, neurological disorders, cancer, reduced bone density, and other autoimmune diseases. Following a strict gluten-free diet is one of the most effective treatments for Celiac disease.

Gallstones

Usually formed in the gallbladder or bile ducts, gallstones are primarily made of cholesterol and bile salts. Common signs and symptoms include nausea, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, indigestion, diarrhoea and pain in the upper abdomen. Also, there are several health conditions associated with gallstones, which include jaundice, cholangitis, gangrene of the gallbladder, sepsis, pancreatitis, fistula, and ileus. A transabdominal ultrasonography is usually performed to diagnose gallstones. Other common tests include magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP), intravenous cholangiogram (IVC), endoscopic ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP), oral cholecystogram (OCG), liver and pancreatic blood tests, cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan), magnetic resonance and duodenal drainage.

Haemorrhoids

Commonly known as piles, this disorder is caused due to an increase in pressure on the rectal veins. It mainly occurs when the muscles supporting the haemorrhoidal vessels become weak and stop giving adequate support. This leads to an inflammation of the blood vessels at the end of the digestive tract. Indigestion, diarrhoea, strain during bowel movements and a lack of fibre in diet are some of the most common causes of haemorrhoids.

Keeping in mind the severity of these gastrointestinal disorders, it becomes imperative to keep a check on their symptoms and ensure timely treatment.

SOURCE: Virily.com

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Tobacco Consumption: One of the leading causes of deaths in Bangladesh

The use of tobacco is said to be the single greatest cause of a number of deaths globally. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that consumption of Tobacco in any form claims more than 161,000 lives every year, which amounts to around 19% of total deaths in Bangladesh. Reportedly, 41.3 million people use tobacco in the country, out of which 47.3% are smokers. Also, cardiovascular diseases are the leading tobacco-related causes of premature deaths in the country, as per the UN agency for global health.

The Tobacco Atlas data shows that more than 1, 72,000 children in the age group of 10-14 years and 2,48,80,000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco on daily basis. Also, 39.8% of adult men, 0.7% adult women, along with 1.86% boys and 0.2% girls use tobacco in Bangladesh. Apart from this, 31.5% population in the country consumes tobacco in other forms than cigarettes. Overall, the use of tobacco claimed lives of 25.54% men and 9.68% women (1, 61,200 people annually).

Certainly, there has been a massive increase in the number of tobacco users in Bangladesh. With alarming statistics, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Heart Federation (WHF) focused on ‘tobacco-related heart diseases’ as their theme for this year.

In the wake of this major concerning issue, various healthcare organizations in Kolkata observed ‘No Tobacco Day’ on May 31, 2018. Apart from creating awareness about the risks associated with tobacco consumption, health check-ups including pulmonary function tests were conducted by these organizations.

AMRI Hospital, one of the best multi-specialty hospitals in Kolkata conducted spot pulmonary function test and organized an awareness seminar along with healthcare professionals and medical students. The test was conducted among morning-walkers at the Safari through a portable PFT device.

The study of American Lung Association showed more than 7,000 chemicals generated on burning the ingredients of a cigarette. The hazardous toxins present in cigarettes make your blood thicker as they enter it.

According to Dr Shelly Shamim, associate professor and consultant pulmonologist, AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria, every component in cigarettes – nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and carbon – has a major adverse impact on the human body.

“Smoking in any form causes damage to the body. E-cigarettes that are touted less harmful than cigarettes are in fact more harmful because they have concentrated doses of nicotine. Slow ingestion of concentrated nicotine is even more harmful,” he said.

Medical experts at AMRI Hospital Kolkata emphasize that there is a direct relationship between the use of tobacco and decrease in the density of your bones. It makes you vulnerable to various chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer of lung, kidney, throat, mouth, stomach and pancreas. Tobacco consumption can also lead to severe reproductive problems, cataract, and age related problems, including dental diseases and wrinkles.

“The only way to prevent cardiovascular diseases is to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes quitting tobacco in any form, and consumption of alcohol,” said Dr Sumanta Chatterjee consultant cardiologist at AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria.

SOURCE: urhealthystyle.org

Frequent headaches, mood swings, nausea: Don’t ignore these common symptoms of Brain Cancer

Brain Tumour is a severe medical condition, which disrupts the proper functioning of the brain. It refers to the growth of abnormal cells within the brain. The risk of brain tumours increases with age, say leading neurologists and oncologists at AMRI Hospital, one of the top multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata. It also ranks among the best neurology hospitals in Kolkata.

The cancer cells growing in the brain have a major impact on various vital functions, like memory, muscle control, sensation, etc.

Though, there is no certain cause of brain cancer, a few factors increase its risk, such as:

·Being exposed to ionizing radiation, for example, radiation exposure caused by atomic bombs

·Genetic disorders like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Neurofibromatosis (NF1 and NF2). Though, these disorders are quiet rare, they increase the risk of brain cancer to a great extent

Types of Brain Cancer

Based on the causes and symptoms, brain tumours are divided into two parts: benign and malignant.

·Benign brain tumours

Such tumours in the brain do not contain cancer cells and usually grow slowly. Benign tumours have a clear border or edge, and do not spread into other brain cells or any body part. However, they can pose a threat to the sensitive areas of the brain and can lead to serious health issues in some few cases. Neurologists at AMRI Hospitals warn that such tumours can also become malignant and prove to be life threatening.

·Malignant brain tumours

Malignant brain tumours are considered perilous as they contain cancer cells. Having no clear borders, they tend to spread to other parts of the brain.

Symptoms of Brain Cancer

There are a number of early warning signs that indicate the risk of brain cancer. Some of the most common ones include:

· Frequent headaches (often in the morning) without any known cause

· Confusion or inability to understand

· Nausea and vomiting

· Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

· Inability to talk, hear, or see properly

· Weakness and dizziness

· Issues related to memory

· Problems related to balancing, walking or coordination

· Frequent mood swings

· Seizures

· Loss of consciousness

· Problems related to vision (loss of vision in one or both eyes)

It is important to note that the above mentioned symptoms don’t necessarily indicate brain cancer. They can also be caused due to various other reasons. But you should consult a doctor in case you experience any of these symptoms, say experts at AMRI Hospitals.

Diagnosis and treatment of Brain Cancer

Brain tumours are detected using a number of tests like MRI, CT scan, and biopsy, along with a neurological exam. The treatment is based on the type, location, and size of the tumour, as well as the health, and age of the patient. Most commonly used treatment options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. AMRI Hospitals also ranks among the best neurology hospitals in Kolkata.

The severity of brain cancer makes it important to keep a check on its symptoms, and ensure timely treatment in order to control the damage.

SOURCE: munplanet.com

ALL WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CEREBRAL STROKE

A Stroke (brain attack) is a severe medical condition which claims a number of lives every year. Studies show that one person dies of stroke every 36 seconds in India. Medical experts at AMRI Hospital, one of the best multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata, explain that strokes mainly occur due to a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. It leads to the brain not functioning properly.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A STROKE?

Strokes cause the death of a section of the brain due to loss in blood supply. The death of certain brain cells results in the loss of functions controlled by them. According to a team of Stroke specialists at AMRI Hospital, one of the best neurology hospitals in Kolkata, this usually results in a person’s incapacity to carry out motor functions. It also causes aphasia (the inability to speak) in some cases.

TYPE OF STROKES

There are majorly three types of cerebral strokes which cause different medical conditions:

• ISCHEMIC STROKE

The most common type of a cerebral stroke which is caused due to an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. Studies show that it accounts for more than 85% of all strokes cases.

• HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Haemorrhagic stroke is caused when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds in the brain. It’s due to two types of weakened blood vessels — aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). High blood pressure (hypertension) is one the most common causes of a haemorrhagic stroke.

• TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA)

Also known as a ‘mini stroke’, TIA is caused due to a temporary blood clot in the brain.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS THAT INDICATE THE RISK OF A CEREBRAL STROKE?

•   Confusion or inability to understand
•   Severe headaches without any known cause
•   Weakness and dizziness
•   Problems related to vision (loss of vision in one of both the eyes)
•   Numbness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on any one side of the body)
•   Issues related to balancing or coordination
•   Difficulty in walking/movements
•   Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or “mini-stroke”
•   Loss of consciousness
•   Sudden nausea, vomiting, or fever (not caused by a viral illness)

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON FACTORS WHICH RESULT IN CEREBRAL STROKES?

•  Uncontrolled high blood pressure
•  Smoking: Smokers have double the risk of ischemic stroke as compared to the non-smokers
•  Family history of cerebral stroke
•  Migraines

TREATMENTS FOR STROKEMEDICAL STROKE TREATMENT

One of the most common treatments which is based on a drug known as TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator), which breaks down the blood clots in case of an ischemic stroke. The treatment is effective in improving the patient’s recovery after the stroke. However, AMRI Hospital medics warn that this treatment is not suitable for everyone and can be used only in certain cases.

• ENDOVASCULAR STROKE TREATMENT

Endovascular Stroke Treatment is used when the drugs are not able to break the clot adequately. The doctor performs an angiography of blood vessels of brain and uses a catheter to remove the clot through specialized tools.

• SURGICAL STROKE TREATMENT

This procedure is usually used in case of a haemorrhagic stroke. Along with repairing the damage, it helps in preventing the problem in future. Surgical Stroke Treatment involves the removal of clot on affected artery through a surgery. However, Catheterization is used in case the damaged artery is not easily accessible for the surgery.

SOURCE: healthmilis.com

Ultra-modern imaging equipment introduced by AMRI Hospitals for precise spine and neurosurgery

Taking big strides in orthopaedic and neurological innovations, health practitioners at AMRI Hospital in Kolkatta and other parts of eastern India have introduced new imaging equipment and navigation system for accurate spine and neurosurgery. The system is expected to increase the success rate of surgeries.

Spine and neurological surgeries used to be the most complex surgeries, but not anymore with advancement in technology. Many failed surgeries were reported in India every year. Even if a surgery was successful, a patient would not recover quickly, due to loss of blood, damage to the muscles and large incisions.

With the introduction of minimally invasive technique, spine and neurological surgeries were conducted with much more precision and success. The patients recovered within a few weeks and were able to perform most of the activities, although there was still a long way to go.

However, the introduction of O-arm S8 navigation system, the most advanced 3D surgical imaging equipment will make these surgeries a lot more effective. It will further reduce the recovery time of the patients, with no pain. Blood loss and post-operative discomfort will be reduced as well.

Clear visualization and surgical navigation of every segment in the spine is enabled by this sophisticated equipment. With a detailed view of the patient’s anatomy in real time, a surgeon can navigate accurately through critical structures in the spine.

As a result, the patients preparing for spinal and neurosurgery will be more confident about the success of surgery. They will no longer need more than a week to prepare for, and recover from the surgery. Apart from this, it is very easy for a surgeon to control the tissue damage of patients with this technology introduced by health practitioners of AMRI Hospital, Kolkata. With minimal incisions, there is no pressure on the tissues and nerves.

The Rs 6-crore machine will not only guide a surgeon, but will assist him in placing an implant or scrw exactly where it should be, without damaging any blood vessel or nerve in the area. The chances of infection are very less as compared to open surgeries.

The retractable O-arm can move around the operating table taking a 3D image of the area to be operated. The image is overlaid on the one taken by the camera that goes through one of the holes made on a person’s body during microsurgery. A surgeon is guided by a composite view that comes alive on a screen.

The best thing about this new technology is that the chances of mistake are very less. Images provided by the machine’s O-arm are very clear and make a huge difference in the outcome of the surgery.

“Most hospitals use the C-arm, which produces 2D images of low resolution that can’t be merged with the ones taken by the camera that goes inside the body,” stated a health practitioner at AMRI Hospital. But, with this technology, the scope has broadened and the outcome of precision spine and neurosurgery is only going to get better.

SOURCE: wesrch.com

Special birthday treat for 3-year-old on ventilation

KOLKATA: It was a surprise birthday party for little Saheli Tiwari, who turned three on Thursday. Only the ones who threw the party were an uncommon lot. They were the doctors and nurses at the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur, where the child has been admitted since August 24, 2017.

“Saheli has become a part of the PICU family. We could not have ignored her birthday,” said neurosurgeon Dr Sisir Das.

Saheli suffers from multiple neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on nerve tissues. Though her brain function has been normal, doctors have not been able to send the child home as she can’t breathe without ventilation support. Multiple tumours have compressed her nerves and muscles, including the respiratory ones. “Multiple tumours are arising from her spinal cord. We operated on her the very next day of her admission but could not remove all the tumours as it could have been fatal,” said Das, who operated on Saheli. She was put on ventilation right after the surgery. Now, the remaining tumours are getting bigger and she cannot breathe on her own. “She is completely dependent on ventilation support,” said Dr Soumen Meur, paediatric intensivist.

The doctors and nurses wanted to make it special on her birthday. The entry of the unit was decked with flowers and balloons. “She loves lipstick and bindi. So we put make-up on her and dressed her in new clothes,” said Sonia T, a nurse. The child broke into a smile when a cake was brought to her bed. She cut it with the help of a nurse and her mother fed her a slice. “In the West, patients like Saheli are put on ventilation at home. But the child’s parents cannot afford a system, so we cannot discharge her,” said Dr Bichitrabhanu Sarkar, paediatric intensivist.

Her father Santosh, a jute mill worker at Howrah’s Bauria, took her to six hospitals before coming to AMRI Mukundapur. “Everywhere, doctors said my child would die if they performed a surgery,” said Rinu, Saheli’s mother. AMRI will continue to support the child as long as her parents wished to. “Lack of home ventilation for kids with normal brain function is a concern,” said Prabhas Prasun Giri, PICU in-charge at Institute of Child Health.

Joint replacement: Advantages & disadvantages of undergoing the surgery

Joint replacement is a procedure of orthopaedic surgery, in which an arthritic or a damaged joint is replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called prosthesis.

In India, more than one lakh joint replacement surgeries are conducted every year, and the numbers are only increasing. “Initially, all these surgeries were conducted through traditional methods, wherein a large incision was made around the damaged joint,” a health practitioner at one of the orthopaedic hospitals in Kolkata states.

However, the techniques have changed with advancement in technology. Today, MIS (minimally invasive surgery) is used to carry out the surgery, by making small incisions around the affected area.

MIS technique not only prevents blood loss, but enables quick recovery after the surgery. This technique is used in all the top multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and other states of India.

A number of patients tend to delay joint replacement surgery, especially in India. They suffer from a lot of pain and reduced mobility, but do not undergo the surgery due to the fear of pain, a long rehabilitation process and many other reasons. But, the advantages of undergoing the surgery are often underestimated by the patients. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of joint replacement surgeries:

Advantages  

• The main advantage of joint replacement surgery is the relief from pain. After the surgery, a patient doesn’t experience pain as the affected part is removed and replaced with an implant.
•  It also increases the mobility of a patient. A patient is able to walk freely, climb the stairs, sit in different positions and perform most of the day-to-day activities.

• It increases the overall quality of life. With a damaged joint, you will never be able to live your life up to its full potential. But, after the replacement surgery, you can get more involved in different aspects of your life with your family, neighbours and colleagues.

Disadvantages

• There is always a chance of infection or blood clotting, especially if you are diabetic or a heart patient. Also, the surgery may not be profitable if you have a weak immune system.
• Other major risk, according to the health practitioner at an orthopaedic hospital in Kolkata is that the joint may not work as per your expectation. It may feel stiff and your knees may appear weak while performing different activities.

• If you don’t undergo a proper rehabilitation process, you will not be able to regain the mobility you are looking for.

• Although the chances are less, but it is possible that your implant may become loose or get dislocated. Apart from this, you will most probably need to undergo another surgery after 20 years.

There are many advantages and disadvantages of joint replacement. However, it all depends on the severity of the problem and the rehabilitation process. If everything is planned in advance and executed efficiently, the chances of success will increase.

SOURCE: Apsense

Check your ‘heart risk score’ before your fave team scores

KOLKATA: It may just help to check your “cardiac risk score” before you settle down in front of your TV to soak in a month and more of World Cup excitement.

Men above 45 with a heart condition, high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes or those who smoke or have a family history of cardiac ailments have a score of above 1, which puts them in the risk category, say experts. Increased excitement (caused by a goal from your favourite team) or a spurt in stress level (triggered by a goal scored by the team you hate) is a recipe for heart attack for this group.

But that does not mean you switch off the TV or watch something more tepid, like the India-Afghanistan Test match, say doctors. Just don’t get too psyched up; and, in case you cannot handle a nerve-wracking encounter, take a break to calm your frayed nerves.

“Watching football can be life-threatening,” cardiac surgeon Kunal Sarkar agreed, explaining that excitement could trigger neuro-hormones, which would lead to a spike in heart rate and blood pressure. “The heart has to pump faster to meet this sudden spurt in cardiac activity, which could cause a cardiac arrest. Those with heart ailments or high blood pressure are especially vulnerable. My advice would be to restrain your excitement if you feel you can’t handle the stress,” Sarkar said.

High-profile sporting events like the Fifa World Cup lead to a rise in the number of sudden cardiac arrests. “Unlike cricket or golf, which are relatively passive sports, passions run high in football. There’s hardly any cooling-off period in the middle of a match and those rooting for a team tend to get involved. The sudden flow and ebb of hormones could be dangerous,” he said.

Before you tune in to a high-voltage match, get your basic health parameters screened, advised AMRI Hospital consultant Debashish Saha. “A significantly large number of those who will be watching the World Cup are undiagnosed cardiac patients. It is this section that can be caught unawares. A sudden flow of adrenalin could be harmful for those who have blocked arteries,” Saha said. A cardiac risk score of 1 and above puts you at moderate risk and those with a count of 3 and above fall in the high-risk group. “It is calculated on the extent of your cardiac complications, blood pressure, blood sugar count and genetic propensity. The majority of those with a count between 1 and 3 are not aware that they are at risk,” Saha pointed out.

Any excitement can trigger a sudden rise in catacolamin (adrenalin) levels in blood. Asudden adrenalin rush leads to high blood pressure and heart rate since the heart starts pumping faster. “It could be dangerous for the high-risk group as most don’t have regular check-ups,” Saha said. But the “healthy population” — those with normal body-mass index, no blood pressure, diabetes or family history of cardiac ailments and non-smokers — can remain unaffected by heightened stress, experts say.

All is not lost for those with a score of more than 1, though. “Periodic screening can help scale down the modifiable risk factors like blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol and smoking. This can bring down the risk factor and make you less vulnerable to football-triggered stress,” explained Saha.

It was not just watching a game that could raise your stress level, warned senior consultant Arindam Biswas. Even an animated discussion or a sudden argument in the middle of a match could be dangerous for the risk-group, he pointed out. “If you are a passionate football fan, avoid sudden outbursts of emotion like screaming after a goal. And never, never skip your medicines,” he said.

A FIFA World Cup or an IPL could be risky for the faint-hearted but it would not be fair to “blanket label” these events as risky, argued Hrishikesh Kumar, senior consultant at Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata. “Watching late-night matches could be risky, though. Lost sleep can lead to stress, depression and anxiety, which are a perfect recipe for a brain stroke. So check your cholesterol count and make sure that you get enough sleep, even if you have to miss Messi in action,” he advised.

SOURCE: TOI

Autistic Pride Day 2018: How can yoga help deal with autism?

Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises provide a healthy effective adjunct/ alternate treatment that can support both the child and the family.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the world. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to an incurable mental disorder with a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. This condition, says Divya Kanchibhotla, meditation trainer and Director, Sri Sri Institute of Advanced Research, is present from early childhood and can be diagnosed as early as 18 months of age.

In India, a recent study suggests the prevalence of ASD is 23 children in 10,000. This is relatively much lower than the recent report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),USA which estimates that in USA, 1 in 59 children suffer from ASD, reporting a 15% increase from their last report.

Children with autism spectrum disorder face developmental and emotional challenges. The social stigma attached to the disease creates a barrier for people to seek help and to talk about it. ASD also comes with its share of comorbid conditions like epilepsy, mood disorders and attention deficiency syndrome. ASD is often characterised by emotional and social connected issues.

ASD has no cure, there are several treatment options available, including medication and therapy. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises provide a healthy effective adjunct/ alternate treatment that can support both the child and the family.

Benefits of yoga
In addition to benefits typically associated with yoga such as increased strength, balance, coordination and flexibility, benefits such as increased social-emotional skills, language and communication, body awareness, self-regulation, focus and concentration and a reduction in anxiety, impulsive, obsessive, aggressive and self-stimulatory behaviors have also been noted. Yoga can help children with Improved social connectedness, reduced anxiety, improved body awareness and a positive sense of self.

How yoga helps Vagus nerve activation
One of the mechanisms of actions by which Yoga can help children with ASD is through Vagus Nerve Activation. Vagus Nerve is the longest cranial nerve that is the command center for Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). PNS is the part of the autonomic nervous system that regulates the process that we don’t regulate consciously. Vaga in Latin means to wander. This cranial nerve wanders around the body from the brain to our colon and helps regulate heart rate, speech, hearing, digestion, fertility amongst several important functions. Our ability to perceive someone’s tone of voice and emotional connect with the speaker is also dependent on a healthy Vagus Nerve.
Scientists are now exploring a connect between Vagus Nerve and ASD. Since Autism is a neurological disorder, they hypothesize that people with ASD have impaired functioning of Vagus Nerve which creates cognitive and social challenges. Several studies are now exploring the benefits of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in ASD and exploring the stimulation as an adjunct treatment.

Yoga has been shown to activate the Vagus Nerve. Several studies show the deep breathing, stretching and meditative components of Yoga practice stimulate the Vagus Nerve. When Vagus Nerve is healthy, it has a multifold effect on the mind-body complex: the release of oxytocin creates social bonding. The active PNS allows access to areas of higher cognition. It also creates a sense of calm and reduces anxiety.
A natural way of Vagus Nerve stimulation can be found in Yoga which can lead to improved quality of life and alleviated symptoms in individuals with ASD.

SOURCE: Healthsite