Ayurvedic Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia

What is the difference between Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neuropathic Facial Pain?

Trigeminal neuralgia is an acute pain that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible to carry sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face - such as from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup - may trigger a jolt of unbearable pain. Trigeminal neuralgia or TN is characterized by facial pain with numbness and tingling sensation which is more described by very constant, dull, burning sensation with intermittent sharp pains.

What is Neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a condition of a sudden, painful attack as a result of a change in neurological structure or function due to irritation or damage to the nerves without stimulating pain receptor cells which affects the cranial nerves. The severe pain or mild burning effect may occur on the face and inside the mouth. It is broadly classified into four types.

1. Trigeminal Neuralgia - In this condition the pain from TN that travels to other parts of the face through brain.
2. Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia - Very uncommon and the pain is the throat and neck.
3. Occipital Neuralgia - In this condition the pain in the neck and base of skull due to the inflammation and injury in the nerves which run from scalp to spinal cord
4. Postherpetic Neuralgia - The complication is due to the viral infection characterized by blisters and painful rashes.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a most common form of neuralgia that occurs due to the inflammation or compression of trigeminal nerve by an artery or a vein. It mostly affects the elderly people and generally affects the right side of the face.

What are the Causes?

Biological changes in the nerve tissues, the pressure exerted on the nerves by blood vessels or tumor and certain inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, and Lyme disease can act as a cause. Injury to the brain or trauma that damages or constricts the nerve may also lead to trigeminal neuralgia.

What are the Symptoms?

• Severe, sharp and stabbing pain,
• Pain felt during Simple daily activities such as brushing teeth, washing face, swallowing, talking, eating and chewing.
• Mild sensation like blowing of wind, mild facial touch may also cause pain.
• Shooting and jabbing pain felt like electric shock.

Can we take Herbal Remedies on regular basis?

Yes, Herbal remedies are free from any kind of side effect so can be taken on regular basis or as advised. These can be taken for few days, months or years as advised.

Diet And Lifestyle recommendations

• Avoid eating very cold, hot or spicy food which may worsen the pain. Eat a nutritious meal. Increase intake of mushy food or liquidize the food as some people may have difficulty in chewing.
• Drink liquid using a straw as this will avoid unnecessary contact of the liquid with painful areas of the mouth.
• Avoid triggers that may initiate painful attacks. If the pain is triggered by wind then wear a scarf, don't sit near the window.
• Opt for High protein diet and low-fat diet which Involves saturated fatsas this will permit proper growth and maintenance of nerve cell membrane and neurotransmitters. Do not overdose.
• Opt for Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 rich diet for healthy nerve functions.
• Opt for a natural diet containing fresh fruits and leafy vegetables.
• Prefer more fruits like apples, papayas, peaches, pears, kiwis.
• Less intake of tea and coffee.
• No soft drink. Only fresh juices. Not even preserved one.
• No junk, packed and fried foods.
• Have healthy diet at home.
• No noodles, pasta, Maggie, biscuits of white flour etc.
• Keep yourself active and do not take any kind of mental stress.