What is a vagus nerve stimulator?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:The vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is a device, somewhat like a heart pacemaker, placed in the upper chest below the left collarbone. It is connected to a wire which leads to a nerve in the neck. By stimulating this vagus nerve, the device can help reduce the number of seizures. In fact, about a third of patients experience a thirty to fifty percent reduction of seizures. Around three percent of patients actually become seizure-free.
The device stimulates automatically and periodically throughout the day and night. Patients can also learn to "turn on" the stimulator if they feel a seizure coming on, which can often stop the seizure from occurring. Because the vagus nerve affects the throat, patients may experience hoarseness or sore throat and may have difficulty speaking when using this device. Adjusting the strength of the stimulation can often address this side effect.
Vagus nerve stimulator placement requires surgical implantation under general anesthesia. Patients need multiple clinical appointments after implantation to turn the VNS on and adjust stimulation strength.
The vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is a device, somewhat like a heart pacemaker, placed in the upper chest below the left collarbone. It is connected to a wire which leads to a nerve in the neck. By stimulating this vagus nerve, the device can help... More -
Discovery Health answered:The Food and Drug Administration approved a device in 1997 called the vagus nerve stimulator to help people with epilepsy.
The device is implanted. It sends regular waves of electricity to the brain; much like a cardiac pacemaker creates rhythmic pulses to help the heart.
Vagus nerve stimulation usually does not result in full seizure control, so some medication may be necessary. The lowered dosage of the required medication, however, cuts down on the drug's wearying side effects.
The Food and Drug Administration approved a device in 1997 called the vagus nerve stimulator to help people with epilepsy. The device is implanted. It sends regular waves of electricity to the brain; much like a cardiac pacemaker creates rhythmic... More -
Scripps Health answered:A vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is attached to a nerve in the neck and sends signals to keep the brain’s electrical activity in check. In essence, it acts as a pacemaker for the brain.
A vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is attached to a nerve in the neck and sends signals to keep the brain’s electrical activity in check. In essence, it acts as a pacemaker for the brain. More
