• yesman@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Suction machines are used to remove excess mucus from the sinuses and throat in medical settings. The public should not use these machines because you can accidentally stimulate a nerve in your throat that can cause your heart to slow, beat irregularly, or stop.

      • Kalothar@lemmy.ca
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        7 hours ago

        I’m guessing this is the vagus nerve he’s describing? Longest nerve in the body, and the effect being a vasovagal syncope.

        I have had this nerve stimulated by severe gastrointestinal issues twice, and the effect can only be described as dying haha. I’m being hyperbolic, but I swear both times I passed out felt like the end.

        Complete lack of strength, cold sweats, weird hearing issues and then passing out into a fencing response, convulsing, and then waking up within 30 seconds, no confusion, completely aware of what just happened and how much it sucked. Different than a seizure.

        Fun fact:

        one of these pass outs were at the beginning of an international flight while seated in an exit row. The flight hadnt even taken off from the airport. They even let me stay.