Natural herbal & homeopathic remedies for Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION - REMEDIES - TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

· General Description · Symptoms · Causes · Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies · Helpful Dietary Habits · Dos and Don'ts

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological (of the central nervous system) syndrome of involuntary movements (particularly of the tongue, mouth and lips) caused by the long-term use of neuroleptic (so-called antipsychotic medications) drugs. Neuroleptic drugs are generally prescribed for schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders, as well as for some gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Repetitive, involuntary, purposeless, abnormal, and uncontrollable movements characterize tardive dyskinesia. Features of the disorder may include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. Involuntary movements of the fingers may appear as though the patient is playing an invisible guitar or piano. This disorder can also affect other parts of the body such as the neck, eyelids, and vocal cords. The term “tardive” (which means “late”) is used because the condition appears only after long-term use of these drugs. Dyskinesia means “abnormal movement.” Overview The uncontrollable movements of TD can interfere greatly with a person’s quality of life. TD may gradually diminish in severity after the medication is discontinued, but all too often, the problem is permanent, persisting after withdrawal from the drugs that caused the condition. Conventional treatment for TD is unsatisfactory, so prevention is considered crucial. It is important that people requiring antipsychotic drugs be given the lowest effective dose and that treatment be discontinued as soon as it is feasible. Switching over to natural treatments and medications goes far in solving these problems. Research shows that approximately a third of all people who use antipsychotic drugs for several years are affected by tardive dyskinesia. Researchers are trying to identify what subgroups of patients are most at risk (the problem is more common in the elderly and people with mood disorders, especially women). People who develop Parkinson’s disease are particularly at risk as drugs used to treat this condition are associated with tardive dyskinesia.

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Common features of TD include repetitive and involuntary movements (tics). Most often of the facial muscles and tongue such as: lip smacking chewing and puffing of the cheeks tongue protrusion grimacing puckering and pursing the eyes may also blink very quickly Other muscles in the body can also be affected, like: moving legs back and forth rapid movements of the shoulders, arms, and trunk fingers move involuntary – when this occurs it seems as though the person with TD is playing an invisible piano or guitar. During the early stages of this disorder, the movements may be very subtle (licking of lips or blinking of the eyes) and often the person affected as well as the people around him or her may not notice these symptoms. These movements may become noticeable in later stages, and then the condition may become physically and socially disabling.

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The primary cause of tardive dyskinesia is the long-term use of anti-psychotic drugs. These drugs are generally prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, manic depression and severe depression. Sometimes these types of drugs may also be prescribed for neurological or gastrointestinal disorders. Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may start up again once the medicine has been discontinued. If tardive dyskinesia is managed correctly, symptoms may improve over time. Occasionally, tardive dyskinesia may occur in people who have never even been treated with anti-psychotic drugs. Drugs commonly associated with tardive dyskinesia are: Antipsychotic drugs such as neuroleptics or tranquillizers (chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)) Levodopa or L-dopa, which is used to treat Parkinson's disease – however, high doses of L-dopa may actually help control tardive dyskinesia Tricyclic antidepressants used to treat depression and other mood disorders Antiemetic medicines used to control nausea and vomiting Other medicines that block dopamine

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The main aim of treatment is to stop or minimize the use of the antipsychotic medication. However, this option is not always possible as patients with psychiatric disorders cannot simply stop taking their medication. Switching to a new antipsychotic medication or lowering the dosage level to reduce movements may help some patients. New antipsychotic medicines such as clozapine do not cause tardive dyskinesia, while benzodiazepines, adrenergic antagonists, and dopamine agonists may also be helpful. Vitamin E is also extremely beneficial for patients who have had tardive dyskinesia for less than five years.   Natural treatments such as herbs and tissue salts can also help to reduce the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. These treatments are safe and gentle on the body’s system and can be used in conjunction with prescription medication. Use tissue salts regularly to promote systemic balance in the brain, spinal cord and the entire nervous system. Herbs such as Silybum marianus (Milk Thistle), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and Verbena officinalis (Vervain or Wild Hyssop) are excellent for the liver health and help it resist damage from toxins and disease.

Stramonium (6C) is best suited to those who desire light and prefer not to be alone. Symptoms tend to worsen in solitude, with the head feeling as if it is scattered about. Twitching of single muscles or groups of muscles, especially in the upper part of body, may occur.   Tarentula (6C) is most effective for twitchiness of the limbs and jerking of muscles. It is commonly beneficial to people that are affected by music, impatience that borders on nervousness, a sense of urgency, and a feeling of not being able to sit still.   Taraxacum officinale is more commonly known as Dandelion. This herbal ingredient contains bitter principles which have a beneficial tonic effect on the liver and digestive system. It is considered a very effective general tonic and is known to support healthy bile flow.  Dandelion also supports gall bladder functioning.  It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, D, and C, various B Vitamins, iron, lecithin, silicon, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese.   Kalium phosphate (D6)  (Kali. phos.) 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.    Magnesium phosphate (D6) (Mag. phos.) is well-known as a homeopathic painkiller, Mag. phos. is also of great benefit to the health of the nerves. It is a salt with an affinity for the nervous system, and a deficiency can result in cramps and spasms. It is fast-acting to quickly relieve muscular twitches, hiccups, cramps, and sharp twinges of pain. Symptoms are usually worse from cold and touch, and improve with heat and pressure, such as massage.   Verbena officinalis is also known as Vervain or Wild Hyssop. This herb is native to the Mediterranean region.  It has been traditionally recommended as a hepatic (liver) tonic but has a number of other health promoting properties.

	Vitamin E has been found in a number of studies to reduce the severity of TD. 1,600 IU of vitamin E per day may be the optimal amount; but a healthcare practitioner should supervise this large amount. Other studies have also found that vitamin E supplements reduce the severity of TD. Wheat germ oil, nuts and seeds, whole grains, egg yolks, and leafy green vegetables all contain vitamin E. Certain vegetable oils should contain significant amounts of vitamin E. However, many of the vegetable oils sold in supermarkets have had the vitamin E removed in processing.
	Choline and lecithin have both been used for people with TD. When medical researchers use the term “lecithin,” they are referring to a purified substance called phosphatidyl choline (PC) that belongs to a special category of fat-soluble substances called phospholipids. Choline, the major constituent of PC, is found in soybeans, liver, whole meal, nuts, oatmeal, some vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower, egg yolks and meat. Lecithin (containing 10–20% PC) is added to many processed foods in small amounts for the purpose of maintaining texture consistency.
	Trace mineral manganese (15 mg per day) can prevent the development of TD and that higher amounts (up to 60 mg per day) can reverse TD that has already developed. Other researchers have reported similar improvements with manganese. Rich dietary sources of manganese include nuts and seeds, wheat germ and whole grains (including unrefined cereals, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, and oats), legumes, beet tops, tea, and pineapples.
	Several people have experienced an improvement in TD while taking evening primrose oil (EPO), though the improvement is small. EPO is found primarily in supplements. Its presumed active ingredient, GLA, can also be found in black currant seed oil and borage oil supplements.
	During a ten-year period, doctors at the North Nassau Mental Health Center in New York treated approximately 11,000 people with schizophrenia with a megavitamin regimen that included vitamin C (up to 4 grams per day), vitamin B3—either as niacin or niacinamide—(up to 4 grams per day), vitamin B6 (up to 800 mg per day), and vitamin E (up to 1,200 IU per day). During that time, not a single new case of TD was seen, even though many of the people were taking neuroleptic drugs. Another psychiatrist who routinely used niacinamide, vitamin C, and vitamin B-complex over a 28-year period rarely saw TD develop in her patients. Further research is needed to determine which nutrients or combinations of nutrients were most important for preventing TD. The amounts of niacinamide and vitamin B6 used in this research may cause significant side effects and may require monitoring by a doctor.