This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 瞑想反射神経とは？トイレや立ちくらみで起こる迷走神経反射の原因と対策
“I suddenly felt sick in the bathroom”
“I felt dizzy after the injection or blood draw”
“The moment I stood up, everything in front of my eyes went dark”
When researching these symptoms, you may come across terms such as
“meditation reflex”
“vagal reflex”
.
In conclusion, the official medical name is
vagal reflex (vasovagal reflex).
Author: “The term “meditation reflex” is often searched for, but in most cases it actually refers to the vagus nerve reflex.”
What is the vagal reflex?
Vagal reflex is
a reflex reaction that occurs when the vagus nerve, a type of autonomic nervous system, overworks.
When the vagus nerve is strongly stimulated,
- Slow heart rate
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain
Changes may occur, leading to
dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting (loss of consciousness).
Why does it happen? Main causes of vagal reflex
① Strong tension, fear, pain
Vagal reflex is
- 注射
- 採血
- Strong pain
- Extreme tension or anxiety
.
It is triggered by mental stress, and
it develops when the balance of the autonomic nervous system suddenly collapses.
Author: “It is characterized by the fact that the stimulation of the mind appears directly as a reflection in the body.”
② Reasons why it occurs in the toilet (defecation/urination)
The vagal reflex can also occur while using the toilet.
If you strain hard when defecating,
- Increased abdominal pressure
- The vagus nerve is stimulated
- Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
The flow is more likely to occur.
This phenomenon is sometimes called
defecation syncope
toilet syncope
.
In particular,
- I have constipation
- Has a habit of pushing hard
- When feeling unwell or fatigued
requires caution.
Author: “It’s not uncommon to feel sick in the bathroom.“
③ Sudden rise/dehydration
In the following situations,
vagal reflexes and lightheadedness are more likely to occur.
- After sitting for a long time
- Immediately after waking up in the morning
- Low hydration (dehydration)
This is because blood pressure cannot be adjusted in time, and blood flow to the brain temporarily decreases.
④ Fatigue and lack of sleep
Chronic fatigue and sleep deprivation reduce the
switching function of the autonomic nervous system.
As a result,
- Dizziness
- Staggering
- Nausea
- Cold sweat
Symptoms such as these are more likely to occur.
Main symptoms of vagal reflex
Vagal reflex causes the following symptoms:
- Sudden dizziness
- Didheadedness
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Pale face
- Temporary loss of consciousness
In many cases,
you will recover naturally by lying down.
Author: “It is characterized by many cases being temporary and not life-threatening.“
Dangerous? Criteria for deciding whether to go to the hospital
In the following cases, consultation with a medical institution is recommended.
- Recurring
- No clear trigger
- Papitations and chest pain
- It happened suddenly after getting older
- Fainted and injured
Consultations at internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine are common.
Measures you can take in daily life
① Do not force yourself to go to the toilet
- Improve constipation
- Be conscious of deep breathing
- Do not sit for long periods of time
It is important.
② Stay hydrated
Dehydration is a major risk factor for vagal reflex.
- Frequent hydration
- After getting up, after taking a bath, after exercising
.
③ Do not stand up suddenly
- Take a breath
- Move your legs slightly before standing
By itself, it will be easier to prevent a drop in blood pressure.
Author: ““Moving slowly” is the simplest and most effective preventive measure.”
④ Make health management a top priority
- Get enough sleep
- Do not get tired
- Don’t overdo it
This is the basis for stabilizing the autonomic nervous system.
Be especially careful in these situations
- Occurs frequently in the toilet
- Anxiety about daily life
- Have experienced fainting
If this is the case, don’t leave it alone and consult with us.
Summary | Understand the true nature of meditation reflexes
Many of the so-called “meditation reflexes” are
vagal reflexes (vasovagal reflexes).
This is
✔ Autonomic nerve reflex response
✔ Temporary decrease in blood pressure and heart rate
✔ Daily stimuli such as going to the toilet, nervousness, fatigue, etc.
.
The important thing is
- Know the cause
- Don’t get too anxious
- Organize your life
Things.
Author: “Just by understanding how it works, you will feel much less anxious. Try to think of your body’s reactions as “natural reflexes” rather than “abnormalities”.”
