Table of Contents
What causes gag reflex problems?
Some people have an overly sensitive gag reflex that can be triggered by things such as anxiety, postnasal drip, or acid reflux. Swallowing pills, oral sex, or a trip to the dentist’s office can also be troublesome for those with an overactive gag reflex.
Does spinal cord affect reflexes?
The spinal cord transmits nerve impulses to and from the brain and mediates several important reflexes. It also coordinates more complex motor sequences (e.g. those required for walking).
How does spinal cord injury affect swallowing?
Dysphagia is a relatively common secondary complication that occurs after acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The detrimental consequences of dysphagia in SCI include transient hypoxemia, chemical pneumonitis, atelectasis, bronchospasm, and pneumonia.
What is the most common complication of spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury can cause circulatory problems ranging from low blood pressure when you rise (orthostatic hypotension) to swelling of your extremities. These circulation changes can also increase your risk of developing blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolus.
What are examples of spinal reflexes?
Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.
What is spinal reflex excitability?
Increased spinal reflex excitability is associated with enhanced central activation during voluntary lengthening contractions in human spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol.
Can spinal problems cause difficulty swallowing?
Cervical spine disorders which can cause swallowing difficulties (cervicogenic dysphagia; CD) are: chronic multisegmental/MS dysfunction (dysfunction=functional blockade) of the facet joints, changes in physiological curvature of the cervical spine, degenerative changes (anterior osteophytes, anterior disc herniation.
What happens to the reflexes of the spinal cord after injury?
The reflex function of the spinal cord may remain after spinal cord injury. Depending on the level of injury, reflexes can be used for bowel and bladder emptying and for reproductive functioning. Surgery may be needed to stabilize the spinal column and to prevent further injury to the spinal cord.
Is it possible to suppress the gag reflex?
For most people, a continuation of the gag reflex can be suppressed with varying degrees of success once the initial gag happens, and with things like brushing the back of one’s tongue, holding it out for the 10 seconds needed without throwing up isn’t normally too difficult [1].
What cranial nerves are involved in the gag reflex?
The gag reflex is an example of a cranial nerve reflex which is mediated by the glosopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves. Afferent sensory information is conveyed by cutaneous stimulation of Aδ and C fibres on the caudal base of the tongue and/or the caudal soft palate.
What percentage of people have a hypersensitive gag reflex?
However, 10-15 percent of people have a hypersensitive gag reflex (HGR), which continues to get activated by substances in the mouth.