Feeling Dizzy, Sick, or Overwhelmed? Vagus Nerve Dysfunction and EDS

When you live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), your symptoms can feel like they’re coming from every direction. One day it’s nausea, the next it’s brain fog, dizziness, or a sudden wave of anxiety that doesn’t seem to make sense. But what if many of these symptoms share something in common?

Enter: the vagus nerve.

This major nerve is responsible for regulating critical body functions, including heart rate, digestion, mood, and more. And for people with EDS, it doesn’t always work the way it should.

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body, connecting your brainstem to your heart, lungs, gut, and other organs. It plays a central role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm your body down after stress.

When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning properly, a condition called vagus nerve dysfunction or vagal tone dysregulation, it can wreak havoc across your entire system.

How Does EDS Affect the Vagus Nerve?

In people with EDS, the connective tissue surrounding nerves can be overly stretchy or fragile, leading to improper signaling. That includes the vagus nerve.

When vagus nerve signaling is disrupted, it can contribute to:

• Dysautonomia, including POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

• Digestive issues like gastroparesis or chronic nausea

• Heart rate variability and blood pressure instability

• Emotional dysregulation, including panic, shutdowns, or extreme fatigue

• Sensory overwhelm and lightheadedness

• Immune and inflammatory issues tied to MCAS and related conditions
  
  

What Does Vagus Nerve Dysfunction Feel Like?

Because the vagus nerve is connected to so many systems, symptoms can be hard to trace. You may feel:

• Dizzy or faint when standing up

• Unable to regulate body temperature

• Nauseated, even without food triggers

• Overwhelmed by lights, sounds, or smells

• Wired but exhausted

• Short of breath or tight in the chest

• Like your body is “stuck” in stress mode, no matter what you try

It’s no wonder so many people with EDS are misdiagnosed with anxiety or panic disorder when their nervous system is just dysregulated.

How Connective Wellness Can Help

At Connective Wellness, we understand how complex vagus nerve dysfunction can be, especially in the context of EDS, POTS, and MCAS. That’s why we use a whole-body, team-based approach that goes beyond symptom suppression.

Some of the services that can help support vagal function include:

• Functional Nutrition Support
  Personalized plans to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, and avoid common MCAS triggers

• Nervous System Regulation Coaching
  Tools to retrain your brain-body connection using gentle neuroplasticity practices

• Manual Therapies
  Our providers may recommend safe, EDS-aware physical therapy and craniosacral techniques

At Connective Wellness, we believe your symptoms are real, and your nervous system deserves targeted support.

What You Can Do at Home to Support Your Vagus Nerve

In addition to clinical care, small daily habits can go a long way in improving vagal tone, or how well your vagus nerve functions. These tools are especially helpful if you're navigating chronic illness and need support between appointments.

Here are some gentle, evidence-informed practices:

• Deep belly breathing (4–6 count breathing)

• Cold water splashes or neck wraps

• Gargling or humming

• Gentle yoga or safe stretching

• Nervous system resets like EFT tapping or grounding

• Prioritizing sleep and MCAS-friendly nutrition
  

“The nervous system thrives on consistency,” explains Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory. “Small, daily practices that signal safety can help rewire how your body responds to stress.”

These practices won’t replace professional treatment, but they can help your body begin to heal.

Ready to Feel Better?

If you’re tired of being told your symptoms are “just anxiety,” it’s time to explore what your nervous system is really trying to tell you.

At Connective Wellness, we take a neuro-informed, trauma-aware, and connective tissue–savvy approach to care. Whether you’re dealing with EDS, MCAS, POTS, or just know something isn’t right, we believe you.

Let’s work together to support your vagus nerve and your whole body.

👉 Book a consultation
🛍️Explore the Wellness Shop
📍 Amherst, NH | In-person & virtual options available