Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is often called with an alternative name of Tic Douloureux. This is a chronic condition of pain that affects some important cranial nerves which are the most widely distributed nerves in the head. Trigeminal neuralgia is a kind of neuropathic pain which is associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.

Trigeminal neuralgia is further divided into two types. One is called as typical or type 1 while other is called as atypical or type 2.

The first sort or typical kind of the neuralgia causes extreme, unexpected burning or shock-like pain in face that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as 2 minutes per episode. The point to remember here is these kind of attacks can occur in fast succession, in volleys lasting as long as 2 hours. Whereas within the case of atypical sort of the disorder causes aching, burning, or stabbing pain of somewhat lower intensity than typical type. However in some rare cases patients face each symptoms of typical and atypical neuralgia.

Trigeminal Neuralgia causes

Trigeminal neuralgia in majority of situation is associated with a variety of conditions. It is caused most prominently by a blood vessel pressing on the cranial nerve as it exits the some portion of brain which is called as brainstem. This compression causes the erosion or harm to the protective coating round the nerve. Trigeminal Neuralgia symptoms can even occur in individuals with degenerative disorder, a malady that causes deterioration of the cranial nerve nerve’s protecting coating. Rarely, symptoms of neuralgia is also caused by neurological disorder from a tumor, or a retardant of arteries associated veins known as a blood vessel malformation. Injury to the cranial nerves that most likely happens as a results of sinus surgery, oral surgery, stroke, or facial trauma.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

Various alternative treatments are available which are being practiced to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Some of these treatments include:

• Vitamin B12 supplementation: Vitamin B12 is most commonly used vitamin in the diseases of nerves. The reason is the vitamin B12 helps to promote healthy nerve function. These vitamins are below normal ranges in individual who are vegetarian.
• Ayurvedic treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Ayurvedic treatment for TN starts with assessing the body type of individual and a dosha analysis. Afterwards, a customised treatment plan is formulated with a combination of herbal medicines, treatments, cleansing and other ayurvedic therapies. This is supported by catalytic ayurvedic diet management and in many cases an optimal yoga asana.

Ayurvedic treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia

People suffering from TN feel pain in the face which aggravate on exposure to cold. Pain is always a vata feature. Here vata aggravates at the place of kapha (the head area). Due to these factors, recommended ayurvedic treatments would be Vata pacifying treatments ( vata samana chikitsa ) and also kaphavrutha vata chikitsa.

Some very popular medicines for treating TN are as follows:

• Ashtavargam Kashayam: Used in all types of vata conditions such as Neuraligia, hypertension and acute facial palsy
• Dhanadanayanadi kashayam: used for vata vitiation in the head area, bells palsy and hemiplegia
• Pathyaksha dhathryadi Kashayam: for headaches, pain and infection of the ear, nose and throat
• Prasarinyadi kashayam: used in situations of Neuralgia, hemiplegia and monologue

Ayurvedic treatments:

• Abhyanga: with Ksheerabala or Karpasasthyadi thailam
• Steam fomentation: Medicated steam on the face and neck may reduce nerve pain.
• Nasyam: with Karpasasthyadi thailam  or Shadbindu thailam
• Rasayana treatment: Narasimha Rasayanam has high anti oxidant properties. It reduces inflammation, stimulates immune system and reduces DNA damage.

Conclusion

This write up is intended as an introduction to Trigeminal Neuralgia and endless possibilities Ayurveda treatment offers in managing TN. This article is not to be treated as a medical advice or a DIY guide. Please consult your nearest Ayurvedic practitioner for proper diagnosis and tailored ayurvedic treatment. Or, feel free to write to us.