Neuralgia is a painful condition characterized by
burning or acute
pricking sensation along the course of a sensory nerve. The name of
the disease remains the same irrespective of the cause. In effect,
sometimes the cause is not known at all. Related conditions include
inflammation of the nerve / nerves.
There
are various types of neuralgia such as trigeminal,
postherpetic, occipital and glossopharyngeal:
Trigeminal neuralgia is also known as tic douloureux and is
one of the most common types of neuralgia. It affects one side of
the face only causing brief but excruciating pain along the
trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face, cheeks
and jaw. Multiple Sclerosis or tumors pressing against the nerve are
the usual suspects in this type of neuralgia, but the causes are
otherwise generally unknown. The pain sometimes is so agonizing that
spasms of the facial muscles (tic) are caused. It lasts between 30
minutes and an hour, and the facial pain occurs at the same time on
successive days. Everyday activities such as brushing your
teeth, washing your face or eating can trigger pain.Women
over the age of 50 years are most commonly affected.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a severe and unbearable pain
experienced after
an attack of Shingles
(herpes infection)
has disappeared. The affected area is extremely sensitive to any
form of touch and pain is felt immediately. Postherpetic neuralgia
occurs anywhere on the body, typically where the Shingles rash
occurred. The pain may continue for a few months or even years.
Infectious diseases that may also cause this type of neuralgia
include syphilis and Lyme disease.
Occipital neuralgia occurs as a result of the spasms of pain
to the front, back and sides of the head. It may be caused by
a pinched nerve, compression of nerves in the spinal column,
whiplash or sometimes even diabetes or gout. When tense muscles or
ligaments presses against the nerve, irritation, inflammation and
pain may occur. This pain is dull, throbbing, tingling and causes
numbness.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is characterized by intense pain
occurring along the glossopharyngeal nerve. Pain occurs
spontaneously and is felt in the back of the throat, tonsils,
(link to tonsillitis) tongue and occasionally the ears. This
pain is usually triggered by talking, yawning, chewing or
swallowing.
There
are specific treatment options to reduce the symptoms of the various
types of neuralgia. To relieve the symptoms of postherpetic
neuralgia, topical pain relievers, TENS (transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation) and antidepressants are used. Usually
antiseizure
drugs are prescribed to minimize the pain of postherpetic,
trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralagias.
Trigeminal neuralgia may be numbed with radio frequency waves, gamma
rays or glycerol injections if the patient does not respond to drug
treatment. Surgery may also be required if neuralgia is caused by a
tumor or artery compressing the nerve. In addition, alternative
therapies that include B-complex vitamins, a diet high in protein,
carbohydrates and fats as well as acupuncture have also been
successful in the treatment of neuralgia.
Natural treatments are very effective for treating neuralgia and
nerve damage, such as herbal and homeopathic remedies and tissue
salts. These remedies are not only safe and gentle to use, but also
supports general well-being and improve overall health. Tissue salts
help to maintain cellular health in the organs and nervous systems
of the body.
Herbal ingredients such as Zanthoxylum clava herculisis (Toothache
Tree) and Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) contain
anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the
nervous system while at the same time relieve pain. Other beneficial
herbs include Arctium lappa (Burdock) and Harpagophytum procumbens
(Devil's Claw) which are excellent for treating arthritis, lumbago,
rheumatism, fibrositis, sciatica and small joint disease.
·
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla
recutita) was regarded as one of the nine sacred
herbs given to the world by ancient Anglo-Saxons. In
modern times it is widely used as a gentle and soothing
herb. Matricaria acts as a general tonic for the nervous
system and is often used to soothe the back. The
essential oil of German chamomile flower contains bisabols, flavonoids and azulenes that give this herb
its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and muscle relaxing
properties.
·
Burdock (Arctium lappa) - In traditional herbal
texts, burdock root is described as a “blood purifier”
or “alterative” and was believed to clear the
bloodstream of toxins. It also has an excellent effect
on joint health, including the health of the vertebra
and surrounding tissue.
·
Ferrum phosphoricum (Ferrum phos. D6) is a
homeopathic biochemic tissue salts which supports the
absorption of iron in the body. The protective myelin
sheath which surrounds all nerve tissue needs iron to
supply this vital nutrient to the nerve cells it
encases. Iron in hemoglobin also helps to keep all body
tissue, including the brain, supplied with oxygen.
Regular use of Ferrum phos. can help to prevent
dizziness, headaches and restlessness and is of great
benefit for those who tend to feel irritable, tense and
tired.
·
Magnesium phosphate (Mag. phos. D6) well-known as
a homeopathic painkiller, Mag. phos. is also of great
benefit to the health of the nerves. It acts as a
natural anti-spasmodic and a nerve and muscle relaxant
and is also frequently recommended for stress headaches.
·
Kalium phosphate (Kali. phos. D6) is a
homeopathic brain and nerve tonic par excellence as well
as an amazing nerve nutrient. Used regularly it helps to
calm and uplift the spirit and soothe common nervous
tension and everyday stress. Kali. phos. is the most
widely recommended tissue salt for soothing worry and
distress.
·
Juniper (Juniperus communis) – The oil of juniper
berries is rich in flavonoids, tannins and specifically,
monoterpenes which when used as herbal remedy is great
for neuralgia and other muscle pains as well. Research
has shown it to be a potentially diabetes treating herb
also.
·
Sweet woodruff (Asperula odorata) – This herb
contains coumarins which have antispasmodic and sedative
effect. This helps sweet woodruff in treating nervous
agitations and therefore, dried aerial parts of the
plant are used in herbal infusions and taken internally
for treating neuralgia.
B vitamin deficiency must be overcome by taking foods
like brown rice, nuts, pulses, green leafy vegetables
and whole meal bread. Usually, only vegetarians face this
problem and therefore the above must become an integral
part of their diet.
·
Thiamin or vitamin B1 is found pork,
potatoes, pulses and nuts. Its deficiency is again
usually not found in developed nations but alcoholics
may develop it at some point of time.
·
Vitamin E deficiency may also cause nerve disorders.
Hence foods rich in vitamin E like margarine, vegetable
oil, nuts and avocados may be included in the diet.
