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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Happens In An Asthmatic Attack?

Hi, i was just wondering during an asthmatic attack when there is narrowing of the airways, do the sensory fibres of the vagus nerve become stimulated leading to a parasympathetic reflex causing further bronchoconstriction? if thats not the case at all could you be able to explain the involvement of the vagus nerve in relation to an asthma attack?
posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Twitter Tue, 29 Jul 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
The tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus share common embryonic origins & autonomic innervation through VAGUS NERVE.
The parasymphathetic nervous system has also been implicated in asthma .
Increased vagal tone ( mostly in the night i.e nocturnal asthma) during sleep could promote bronchoconstriction .
There is a diurnal variation in vagal activity that has been demostrated in asthmatic patients, with higher vagal activities occurring in the night.
So when vagus nerve stimulated it lead to parasymphathetic reflex and triggers asthmatic attack typically in the night due to more bronchoconstriction.
This is a very complex scientific proved study .
Hope this will help you.
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What Happens In An Asthmatic Attack?

Hello The tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus share common embryonic origins & autonomic innervation through VAGUS NERVE. The parasymphathetic nervous system has also been implicated in asthma . Increased vagal tone ( mostly in the night i.e nocturnal asthma) during sleep could promote bronchoconstriction . There is a diurnal variation in vagal activity that has been demostrated in asthmatic patients, with higher vagal activities occurring in the night. So when vagus nerve stimulated it lead to parasymphathetic reflex and triggers asthmatic attack typically in the night due to more bronchoconstriction. This is a very complex scientific proved study . Hope this will help you.